Ashok Leyland's Vinod Dasari is Autocar Professional's Man of the Year 2016

Autocar Professional’s biggest edition of the year – the 12^th Anniversary Special Issue (also apt to be called a collector's edition) – is out. The 184-page issue contains a comprehensive collection of original, thought-provoking articles, analysis and news features. Content which is 'essential reading for the automotive industry' in other words. What’s more, it is accompanied by two free goodies but more on that later.

The cover story is on how Autocar Professional’s ‘Man of the Year 2016’ – Vinod Dasari, managing director of Ashok Leyland, scripted a turnaround at the commercial vehicle manufacturer and is driving new gains with an adroit mix of cost-cutting measures, divestments and enhanced efficiencies.

Dasari, along with his team, has helped the company step up its game, whether it is developing India’s first Euro 6-compliant truck (the 4940) or the Hybus, the first non-plug-in hybrid bus in the country and designed for urban transport. A confident Dasari says, “We are on a journey now and we want to make this into a great company. The best is yet to come.” We’d like to reveal more but it would be better if you read the fine details yourself by picking up the special issue.

Other highlights of the Anniversary Issue include:

- Two-Wheeler Special: The very latest on the major players, growth of the 120-150cc scooter market, FY2017 sales forecast, how OEMs are gunning for the fast-growing adventure motorcycle market, plus the full report on Autocar Professional’s ‘Two-Wheeler Industry Conclave 2016 – Preparing for a New Era’.

- Commercial Vehicle Special: Find out how the Indian CV industry is getting ready to meet BS IV emission norms, why P Kaniappan, MD of Wabco India, believes BS IV will be the inflection point for AMT usage in CVs, Volvo Buses’ new growth strategy, and sift through LCV sales data for 2016 as Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra jostle for market share.

- Exclusive interviews: Jose A Avila, Board Member, Powertrain Division, Continental AG; Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO, Pininfarina; Ravindra Sannareddy, MD, Sri City, among others. 

- Exclusive columns from 12 Captains of the Auto Industry, including leaders like Dr Andy Palmer, CEO – Aston Martin; Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO – Pininfarina, and Ravi Pandit, co-founder, chairman and Group CEO – KPIT Technologies on a host of riveting topics, ranging from luxury cars, to redefining India’s status in the global engineering world, how a hybrid version of Japanese kaizen and Indian jugaad is helping Nissan, or the aftermarket benefiting by turning digital.

- A special feature on how some global carmakers are leveraging the ‘Make In India’ strategy to sustain their businesses.

- Future mobility: How social, economic and technological trends will work together to disrupt mobility

- All this plus exciting industry news, and India vehicle sales analysis – full stats and facts.

The Anniversary Issue is accompanied by the 72-page India Vehicle Manufacturing Capacity Guide, a ready-reckoner to all passenger car, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler manufacturers in India. There’s also the 436-page 2017 Directory, which is regarded as the definitive guide for automotive suppliers.   

As 2016 draws to a close, we thank each of our readers, advertisers, sponsors and partners for being with us on the journey. We also take this opportunity to wish everyone absolute success and happiness in 2017.

Where to buy?

Autocar Professional magazine is available through all good newsagents and for download from Magzter.

You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar Professional magazine – contact Ganesh at ganesh@haymarket.co.in.

Alternatively, never miss an issue – subscribe to Autocar Professional magazine today.