Ashok Leyland has launched a new upgraded Dost light commercial vehicle here today and outlined plans to release one new model every four-five months.
The Hinduja Group flagship, which had parted ways with Nissan last year, is gearing to launch its first left-hand drive vehicle in the LCV segment in January for sale in overseas markets.
The company expects overall exports contribution to go up from the current five per cent to 20 per cent. With more than 80 per cent of the countries on left-hand drive mode, this will be a major offering and expected to boost sales. Nitin Seth, President, Light Commercial Vehicles, said: “We are working towards a larger game plan to increase our market presence and share in the LCVs. As a part of this plan, we will launch at least one new vehicle every four-five months.”
Referring to the market trends, he said there is a bias towards slightly larger LCVs in the range of 2 tonne and above as against those below that category, whose market has shrunk by about 50 per cent in the past three-four years.
About the potential for LCVs, Seth said, “We need to look at the larger picture in terms of GST and its impact on warehouse. There is likelihood of consolidation of warehouses.” The commercial vehicle major on Monday launched Dost +, in the 2-tonne to 3.5-tonne category. The new LCV offers 18 per cent more payload, superior mileage and additional warranty.
Seth said Dost + and Dost will co-exist, helping ALL to address an expanded LCV segment, which has seen sales of over 4,50,000 units last year.
This segment is poised to grow with the logistics industry’s focus on the hub-and-spoke model, GST implementation and growth of the unorganised retail, e-commerce and related industries.
Since the launch of Dost about six years ago, ALL has sold over 1.7 lakh vehicles and the brand has been a success. It will be offered in three versions with the top-end featuring air-conditioned cabin, power steering adding to driver comfort.