Ashok Leyland to enter luxury bus segment  ( January '11,2006, FE)

Hinduja flagship company, Ashok Leyland said it will enter the luxury bus market with the launch of its top end vehicle ’Intercentury Luxura’ by the second quarter of next fiscal.

“The plan is to launch the Luxura starting from the South market by the second quarter of next fiscal. While the metros will be the preference markets, we have also identified places like Pune,” Ashok Leyland special director (vehicle sales) B Khaitan told reporters here at a preview of the company’s offerings ahead of the upcoming auto-expo here. He said the Luxura will be competitively priced ataround Rs 50 lakh and give a direct competition to the buses from Volvo.

“While the prices of our offerings would be variable depending on the variants, but we expect the price to be around Rs 50 lakh, which is competitive enough,” he added.

Mr Khaitan said the company will straight away eye for a 50% share of the market which is about 1200 units a year. The 12 metre long Luxura has a seating capacity of 45 (with 36 being optional) and boasts of some of the latest features that comply with the European safety norms. Ashok Leyland is also showcasing its concept heavy commercial vehicle Newgen Aero, which is aimed at the tractor segment.