Ashok Leyland guns for LCV market share, launches BS IV-compliant Guru and Partner

Having exited the three joint ventures with Nissan Motor Co in November 2016, Ashok Leyland is now aggressively targeting the light commercial vehicle market in India. It is bringing back on track the Guru and Partner brands which were taken off the commercial vehicle market about a year ago.

Yesterday in Chennai, Ashok Leyland launched the Guru Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) and the Partner Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV). While the Guru ICV is priced in the Rs 14.35 lakh to Rs 16.72 lakh range including VAT, the 14-feet-log, six-tyre, BS IV-compliant Partner bears a sticker price of Rs 10.59 lakh and its four-tyre sibling at Rs 10.29 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Chennai). Both vehicles are to be launched in a phased manner across the country.

Guru banks on efficiency and highest payload

According to Ashok Leyland, the Guru offers an ideal combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency and highest actual payload, ensuring maximum returns to its owner. Its USPs are mileage, payload, reliability and comfort, all of which are critical to the success of a business. The Guru is available in both BS III and BS IV variants and can cater to a wide range of applications in the 12-tonne and 13-tonne category, with its different load body options, equipped with the latest H-Series engine with common-rail fuel injection system and other reliable aggregates.

The Guru’s cabin is designed for overall comfort of the driver ad has an innovative sleeping provision in the day-cab to enhance driver comfort. It also features an ergonomically positioned driver seat that helps reduce blind spots, and a four-spoke tilt and telescopic steering wheel to easily manoeuvre tight turns. 

Partner brings latest LCV tech to India

The Partner ICV which, like the Guru, focuses on driver comfort but also sports a modern Euro cab with spacious car-like interiors and offers global levels of performance and efficiency. With a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 6 tonnes and 7.2 tonnes, the Partner will address various applications like parcel goods, durables, perishables and FMCG products, among others. Product highlights include a tiltable cabin for service accessibility, a choice of load body options, optional HVAC system, and high fuel efficiency.

The BS IV-compliant Partner is powered by the ZD30 common-rail diesel engine, which offers superior fuel-efficiency and better turnaround time. The Partner’s list of features includes power steering with tilt adjustment and cable-operated gear shifter for driver comfort. The company is offering an engine and transmission warranty of 3 years/300,000km (whichever is earlier) and a standard warranty of 1 year/unlimited kilometres on the vehicle.  

Speaking at the launch, Vinod K. Dasari, CEO and managing director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland has upped the ante over the last few years and that reflects in our results. An integral part of this performance is our winning product portfolio which delivers superior returns for our customers and we believe this is the reason we are growing our market share across markets. Two indispensable products in this strategy are the Guru and the next-generation Partner. With these launches, we are closer to our vision of emerging as one of the top 10 truck makers, globally, by significantly increasing the market share in the ICV and LCV segments.”

According to Anuj Kathuria, president, Global Trucks, Ashok Leyland Ltd., “Ashok Leyland has always focused on delivering the right product to its customers. ICVs is one of our key focus areas to achieve our vision in trucks and with the Guru, Ashok Leyland will further increase its market share in the competitive ICV segment. Guru helps customers increase their revenue stream by having the best payload and ensures maximum uptime, thanks to robust and reliable aggregates. Launched at a competitive price point, Guru’s best-in-class fuel efficiency, combined with longer tyre life, will help reduce operating costs for customers. Reinforcing our brand promise of ‘Aapki Jeet, Hamari Jeet’, Guru will help our customers maximise profits by increasing revenue and reducing operating costs.”

Nitin Seth, president - Light Commercial Vehicles, Ashok Leyland, said, “The Partner is the Indian industry’s first truck in its segment with an air-conditioned cabin and equipped with a BS-IV engine. With the launch of the Partner, we have stayed true to our LCV mission – to deliver to the Indian customer, contemporary products that deliver best-in-class user experience, coupled with exceptional efficiency.”