Ashok Leyland launches new 3718 Plus HCV, expands Captain range

To sustain its leadership in the 37T haulage segment, the fastest growing in the HCV industry, Ashok Leyland today launched the 3718 rigid truck. The company dominates the segment by being the single largest player in the 37T rigid segments. The company has also expanded its Captain rage of heavy-duty trucks into the haulage segment.

The Captain range, first introduced in 2013 with a tipper, expanded into a tractor-trailer in 2015. The company also introduced haulage trucks with maintenance free hubs (unitised wheel bearings).

According to the company, the 3718 Plus is the latest addition to a 37T segment. The new truck, according to Ashok Leyland, offers 10 percent fuel savings, 225kg of more payload and 10 percent extra tyre life from new technology tyres. The 3718 Plus is claimed to have the best maneuverability through the optimal overall length – 27.5 feet and 29.5 feete loading span options, and appropriate positioning of lift axle.

The new truck comes with unitised wheel bearings, grease is packed for life and no periodical hub greasing, end play adjustment or bearing replacement are required. It also helps in improving tyre life. Unitised wheel bearings are now available as an optional feature on the 37T and 31T range and will be expanded to other ranges progressively.

During April-November 2017, the mass exceeding 35.2 tonnes but not exceeding 40.2 tonnes segment registered a total sale of 12,354 units and has grown twice over the past year. Ashok Leyland with total sales of 11,633 units has a market share of 94 percent, virtually dominating the segment with 37T rigid trucks. Due to strict enforcement of rated load and superior operating economics resulted in 37T gaining popularity among fleet operators. Growing popularity in the segment has also prompted other players including Tata Motors and VE Commercial Vehicles to introduce a product in the segment.

Speaking on the new product launch, Anuj Kathuria, president, Global Trucks, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland has been gaining customers’ trust across the country, across segments. This has been possible owing to our winning combination of products, our innovation-led technologies, and our customer-first approach. Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, has been one of our key focus markets and our customers here are seeing the value in investing in our products. As part of our strategy to further grow and strengthen our leadership, the Captain Haulage and 3718 Plus will play an important role.”

The Captain haulage trucks are designed to deliver higher uptime and faster turnaround time to meet the high productivity demands of the logistics industry. The Captain is powered by the H-series CRS engine with iEGR technology and offers high initial pickup, superior driveability, and unmatched fuel economy.

With international styling and comfort and designed for the Indian operating conditions, the Captain offers the best-in-class cabin which is available in both AC and non-AC versions. These vehicles also come with an essential safety feature – Frontal Crash Protection. This feature helps the vehicle absorb impact in case of a head-on collision and keeps the occupants of the vehicle safe. The Captain haulage trucks are available in 25T, 31T & 37T GVW segments. The range is built for a wide number of applications like market load, parcel, tankers, cement bulkers and containers.