Rs 60-lakh iBus from Ashok Leyland

Ashok Leyland, the second-largest commercial vehicle maker and flagship of the Hinduja Group, on Wednesday launched its ₹60-lakh, iBus, a feature-filled, low-floor concept bus for the metros along with seven other vehicles, including tipper trucks, tractor, side tip and curtain side trailer, multi axle vehicle and multi point fuel injection compressed natural gas fuel engine.

'We plan to launch 20 new truck and bus models in 2008-09, both for the domestic and international market,' R Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland said.

Seshasayee said exports from Ashok Leyland are expected to go up to 12,500 units in 2008-09 from 9,000 units this fiscal and added that the truck maker would also look at new geographies for its products.

On the iBus, Seshasayee said, 'Developed by a team of young engineers, the low-floored iBus will have the first of its kind features, including anti-lock braking system, electronic engine management and passenger infotainment.' Ashok Leyland is expecting to sell about 1,000 units of the iBus every year.

'The executive class has an airline like ambience with wide LCD screens, reading lights, audio speakers and, for the first time, Internet on the move. A GPS system enables vehicle tracking and display of dynamic route information on LCD screens, which can also support infotainment packages including live data and news,' he said.

Seshasayee said the company would participate in the forthcoming tender to be floated for 3,500 buses by the Delhi Transport Corporation.

Seshasayee said the company has short listed two locations, one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Andhra Pradesh, for a light commercial vehicle plant with Japanese major Nissan. 'Most likely the company will go ahead with its plans in Tamil Nadu as the financial package offered by the state-government was very lucrative,' he said.