ALL-Nissan ramp up Dost production, to take LCV to 11 states

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland on Tuesday unveiled the limited edition of its latest small commercial vehicle 'DOST' on its first anniversary. The light commercial vehicle will be launched in five more states by the end of this financial year as Ashok Leyland, along with its joint venture partner Nissan Motor Company ramps up production.

The company was selling Dost only in six states that included the four southern states, besides Gujarat and Maharashtra, due to production constraints on the back of strong sales growth of the vehicle. However, as the company has been gradually ramping up production of Dost at its Hosur facility, it is expanding to two states every quarter. The LCV line is expected to reach a peak capacity of 55,000 units in the next financial year.

The new variant of the limited edition, equipped with a host of new features, would be immediately available in all 45 touchpoints across the country, Ashok Leyland Vice-Chairman V Sumantran told reporters after unveiling the anniversary edition.

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"We felt to introduce something special (to our customers) on this special occasion. And therefore, the first Anniversary edition. Today is the birthday of DOST," he said.

The new model, a limited variant (to be available till Diwali), would be priced Rs 15,000 higher -- at Rs 4.78 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) -- than the existing model. The model boasts stylish body graphics, along with new colour gray beige besides, bull bars and fuel tank guards, among other features.

The company, since DOST's launch, has sold 20,479 units and is the market leader in eight states with a share of 31% in eight states where it was launched, he said.

The distribution network would be taken to 89 by end of this fiscal, Ashok Leyland, Executive Director - LCV and Defence, Nitin Seth said on their expansion plans.

According to him, the company which initially produced 200 units of DOST, at its manufacturing facility in Hosur in Tamil Nadu, has been ramping up to meet the demand.

The plant capacity, which is running in two shifts, is expected to reach 55,000 units in the next fiscal. The current waiting period for delivery of DOST range is about 2.5 months.

With inputs from PTI