Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja group on Monday said it is eyeing releasing its electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) within six months, Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland said while the company added to its Bada Dost range and launched the Bada Dost i1 and Bada Dost i2

The e-commerce boom post-Covid, the changes in purchasing habits and demand from the agricultural sector have resulted in an increase in last-mile transport requirement which has led to a surge in demand for small trucks, he said adding that the company expects an 8-10% growth in the LCV segment.

“LCV is a key growth area for Ashok Leyland, and the Bada Dost Range would play a pivotal role in expanding our domestic as well as international sales and propel us in our journey to achieve our vision of being a Global Top 10 commercial vehicle manufacturer,” Hinduja said. “Within in six months time, we are looking at the launch of e-LCVs as well."

The Bada Dost i1 and i2 offer a payload of 1,250 kgs and 1,425 kgs respectively. The company said the vehicles offer the widest deck of 1,750 mm width and longest deck of 2,596 mm (8.5 ft) for i1 and 2,745 mm (9 ft) for i2, which is highest in the category.

"With superior power, mileage, payload, load body length and loading space, the vehicles help customers earn more profit per trip," the company said in a statement. "(They) are intelligently designed to have a low turning radius for .. for better suitability for inter and intra city applications and ease of adaptability to different terrains."

Further, Ashok Leyland also introduced the Bada Dost Limited Edition, which will be the first commercial vehicle to provide a central locking feature, keyless entry into the vehicle along with anti-theft feature – offerings which are generally seen in passenger vehicles. The focus is to provide features to maximise the comfort for drivers and enhance the customer experience, the company said.

“Our Dost and Bada Dost range have been some of the most successful vehicles in the segment. We have 35,000 vehicles successfully running today showcasing the strength of this range. These new products will expand our offerings and cover a wider range of payload capacity and applications, thereby strengthening our LCV portfolio. Our aim is to continue to aggressively gain market share in the LCV segment," said Rajat Gupta, Head– Light Commercial Vehicle, Ashok Leyland said.

These two new products also feature an ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) certified three-seater walkthrough cabin offering comfort and space. It comes with the widest cabin in this segment – making it spacious and roomy. The wide seat design can be converted into a bed that the customer can use to rest comfortably in between the trips, the company added.

Courtesy:ET