Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies Ltd, a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and Nissan Motors that launched LCVs for cargo transportation this September, has said that it will make a foray into the passenger vehicle segment in the next couple of years.

Hinduja Automotive Ltd executive vice-chairman and Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies chairman, Mr V Sumantran told PTI that in its second phase of expansion, the company will launch passenger segment vehicles and light commercial vehicles for goods transportation powered by diesel and CNG fuel.

The LCVs (light commercial vehicles) for goods transportation will be of 12.5 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), with a pay load capacity of 5 to 6.5 tonnes. In the passenger segment, the seating capacity would be for eight to 24 passengers. Commencing 2012-13, one new variant would be launched every year for the next 4-5 years.

The company has plans to ramp up the production capacity of Dost, its LCV model with a GVW of 2.5 tonne vehicles.

Mr V Sumantran said that “We launched the vehicle in September 2011. The reaction and response from the market has been very positive. The booking had surpassed 3,000 units. In this fiscal, the production facility at Hosur plant is getting ramped up. During the first quarter of next year, we will hit 55,000 units production per annum.”

As of now, the focus was on the southern and western regions of the country, Mr Sumantran said that the network would be expanded to 55 by the first quarter of next year to cover northern and eastern India.

(Sourced from BL)