Nigeria key African market for Ashok Leyland’

By: MIKE OCHONMA

   … As Stallion group launches Partner, Boss LCVs

Businesses in Nigeria are guaranteed positive returns on their investments following last week’s successful introduction of Ashok Leyland  Partner and Boss truck light commercial trucks described as the flagship of the Hinduja Group, along with Stallion Motors, the automaker’s distributor in Nigeria for over a decade.

Anant Badjatya, the group chief executive officer of Stallion group in his keynote address reiterated that, the launch of the light commercial vehicles from Ashok Leyland adds to the range and shows the company’s renewed commitment towards bringing tough dependable and durable vehicles for logistics use in affordable range to the Nigerian customers.

With massive investments in state-of-the art central auto parts and service center at Orile in Lagos to support the distribution of genuine parts across the nation for the upkeep of these vehicles, Stallion has sales and service outlets in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.

In terms of model by model line-up description, the key strengths and attributes of the Partner lies in the vehicle performance, customer profitability and driver comfort. Packed with superior mileage, load carrying ability, stability and maneuverability, the Partner helps run the business with better return on investment.

Partner is powered by the advanced ZD30 common rail diesel engine offering more power and Pick-up advantage, and can navigate with full load through any tough terrain with ease.

The heavy-duty parabolic leaf springs in the front, superior braking system and frontal crash protection that offers the driver and passengers a safe and smooth ride.

 With Euro III compliance, best-in-class aggregate life and longer service maintenance intervals, the Partner keeps the business profitable and competitive with low fuel and maintenance costs.The Partner sports a modern ergonomic cab with spacious car-like interiors, putting the driver comfortably in command.

Its power steering with tilt-able adjustment and a cable-operated gear shift mechanism with a 5 speed overdrive synchromesh gear box (OSGB) make gear shifting effortless and driving stress free.

The Boss model on its part offers class-leading comfort that sets the benchmark in the commercial vehicle industry. The dashboard is ergonomically designed with the controls placed intelligently, even as the vehicle comes with multi-angle adjustable seats. The steering column comes with tilt-able and telescopic movements, while the 2-point suspended cabin offers comfort and convenience.

The Boss 914 is equipped with powerful ‘H’ Series Inline Engine tuned for delivering power & torque, rugged overdrive gearbox and best-in-class turning radius.

It offers superior payload and needs fewer maintenance brakes, delivering a superior up time with lower operating costs making the business more profitable.

Besides the in-line engine with lowest maintenance cost, it has longer service intervals, lifetime lubricated bearings, tubeless radial tyres and organic clutch for longer-life.

Commenting on the launch, Nitin Seth, chief operating office, Ashok Leyland, said, “Nigeria is an important African market for Ashok Leyland. The new range of fully built trucks will sport contemporary design, a new-generation platform and will offer best-in-class efficiency, performance and comfort. Reinforcing our brand promise of ‘Aapki Jeet, Hamari Jeet’ we are offering two products that will provide the best total cost of ownership to our customers.”

The Ashok Leyland chief operating officer said that, the of the truck manufacturer in the international markets is to add more products to the existing portfolio and offer innovative and comprehensive solution to its global customers. All the models come as left hand drive (LHD) vehicles.