Chennai, 7 th September 2023: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the
country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer proudly commemorates its 75th year of
operations, highlighting its steadfast commitment to the nation’s prosperity and growth. Founded in
1948, the company has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of commercial mobility, and
today, it stands as a symbol of innovation, excellence and sustainability.
On this occasion, Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of
India, unveiled the ground-breaking Electric Light Commercial Vehicles from Switch Mobility – the
IeV Series. The IeV Series is India’s first electric commercial vehicles in its category and aims to
provide efficient and eco-friendly solutions for last mile transportation needs. The SWITCH IeV
presents an incredibly attractive value proposition for MSMEs, cottage industries, and e-commerce
in India with its exceptionally low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) coupled with a commitment to high
uptime. This series encapsulates our dedication to shaping an eco-conscious future, catering to
evolving urban mobility needs while setting new standards for efficiency and innovation.
Ashok Leyland also showcased the new, 9-meter, Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Electric Bus developed for
NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation). This is India’s first fuel cell bus that will commercially
ply on country’s roads. The company also exhibited the country’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion
Engine Truck, which was earlier launched in collaboration with Reliance Industries. This showcases
Ashok Leyland’s partnership approach to develop cutting-edge sustainable mobility solutions for
long-distance transportation challenges.
Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility said, “Ashok Leyland’s 75-
year journey is a story of transformation and innovation. As we celebrate this milestone, we look
ahead to the future with excitement and determination and renew our pledge to further shape the
future of the CV Industry. We have set our sights on pioneering sustainable transportation solutions
and aim to support India’s economic development for years to come”.
Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “Over the course of its remarkable journey,
Ashok Leyland has consistently redefined industry standards, setting benchmarks for cutting-edge
technology in its products and services, and partnering with marquee names in offering innovative,
customer-centric solutions. Today we are proud to launch the IeV series from Switch Mobility and
showcase pioneering technologies through the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus for NTPC, and the
Hydrogen Engine Truck for Reliance. The 75th anniversary celebration is not just a reflection of the
company’s history, but a testament to its determination to continue shaping the future of mobility.”
Mr. Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility Ltd., said, “The launch of our SWITCH
IeV Series electric vehicles is a defining moment for SWITCH, having established a strong reputation
in the e-bus market. With the SWITCH iON Standard at its core, a versatile range of options, diverse
charging solutions, exceptional performance, and operational ease as its hallmark, the SWITCH IeV
Series is a testament of our dedication to driving positive change in the industry”.
As part of its 75th-anniversary celebrations, Ashok Leyland also launched a new initiative – ‘Dream
Drive’ – a journey across the length and breadth of the country, with 10 Ashok Leyland vehicles
of-the-art manufacturing plants today.
Through this, Ashok Leyland engaged with its extensive network of customers, dealers, suppliers,
and other partners, establishing a direct connection with all its key stakeholders including drivers,
mechanics, and financiers to pay gratitude for their contribution. ‘Manzil ka Safar’ with the iconic
Stallion defence vehicles was another drive that travelled 4000+ kms from Kanyakumari to Leh to
recognize its long-standing partnership with the Indian defence forces.
With a legacy rooted in innovation and a future driven by sustainability, Ashok Leyland stands poised
to excel for generations to come. The company’s 75th anniversary celebration not only recognises its
past successes but also foreshadows a time in the future when cutting-edge technology and
environmental responsibilities converge seamlessly.
About SWITCH IeV Series:
The state-of-the-art SWITCH IeV Series (IeV 3 and IeV 4), enabled with a 330 V High Voltage EV
Architecture sets a new benchmark in the 2~3.5T commercial vehicle category for unparalleled
efficiency and performance. These vehicles come equipped with a spacious cargo body extending up
to 9.7 feet, capable of holding up to 340 cubic feet of containers. The Switch IeV series is equipped
with a spacious cabin for one to enjoy clutch-less operation, generous legroom, ample headroom,
and the convenience of sliding and reclining seats, along with Foldable Parking Brakes. With the
industry-first electric power steering system, these series ensure a comfortable and effortless driving
experience. With a robust battery pack ranging from 25.6 to 32.2 kWh, the SWITCH IeV Series will
deliver an impressive and efficient range of up to 300 kilometres of operation in a day (with
Opportunity Charging), with the best-in-class Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). These electric vehicles
boast of a payload of up to 1.7 tons and has adopted the Switch iON system that offers over 20+
customized features, providing real-time vehicle information, insights on the vehicle’s position,
operating route, trip history, and the condition of EV aggregates, among others, all contributing to
streamlined operations and ease of driving.
About Ashok Leyland:
Pioneers in the Commercial Vehicle (CV) space, Ashok Leyland is a flagship of the Hinduja group, and
is the 2nd largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, and 4th largest manufacturer of
buses and 19th largest manufacturer of trucks in the world. Headquartered in Chennai, with 7
manufacturing plants in India, a bus manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), and one at
Leeds, United Kingdom, Ashok Leyland has a well-diversified portfolio and an international footprint.
Ashok Leyland has recently been ranked as 34th best brand in India.
A US $ 4.5 billion Indian multinational that has a 75-year legacy, and presence in more than 50
countries, Ashok Leyland is one of the most fully integrated manufacturing companies on this side of
the globe. In the commercial vehicle industry, Ashok Leyland has one of the largest and fastest-
growing networks with 52,863 touch points which includes 1748 exclusive touch points and 11,207
outlets for Leyparts.
The company now has a service centre every 75 kilometers on all major highways, allowing it to keep
its “Ashok Leyland Quick Response” promise of reaching customers within 4 hours and getting them
back on the road in 48 hours”. With technology-enabled customer engagement processes and
knowledge on the specific applications of the product range, Ashok Leyland’s sales team is well-
equipped to fulfil customers’ needs. Ashok Leyland manages 12
driver training institutes across India and has trained over 1,800,000 drivers since inception.
Guided by the principle of “Koi Manzil Door Nahin,” symbolizing that no destination is too distant to
achieve, Ashok Leyland is resolute in its pursuit to serve stakeholders and contribute to India’s
progress through continuous innovation and evolution.
For further information/media queries, contact:
Rajesh Mani, Head – Marketing and Corporate Communications | [email protected] |
