16-wheeler 5-axle truck the new disruptor
Living up to its tag of being an innovator and a trend-setter in the Indian CV industry, Ashok Leyland had introduced a 16-wheeler rigid truck in 10x2 configuration – the 4123 – towards the end of 2018, a product that included patents and promised to deliver a unique value proposition for customers including much higher profitability. We met Mr. Anuj Kathuria, President - Global Trucks, Ashok Leyland, to get exclusive insights about the new product, along with updates on market sentiments, AL’s readiness for BS-VI, and more.
Excerpts:
How are the sentiments in the CV industry at present? What impact are the new axle load norms having on the market?
We have seen a dip in market sentiments since Q3 FY19 mainly due to liquidity crunch, axle load changes and rising fuel prices. The fuel prices have stabilized a bit and cash flow in the market is better; on the axle load side, July to October was mainly spent in understanding and adapting to the new norms, post which it starting reflecting on vehicle sales; now, we are seeing a different type of impact on the market, not on sales, but on the type of vehicles that are in demand; the sweet spot has shifted from 14-wheelers to 12-wheelers and also to 16-wheelers.
The hub & spoke model is maturing further, driven by GST; demand is shifting to ICVs on one side and higher tonnage vehicles on the other. We had anticipated most of this when the new axle load norms were announced. But, the rise in axle load capacity need not necessarily translate to reduced vehicle sales because the total demand in the market is not constant, it is growing. As road transport becomes more cost-competitive and efficient, as compared to rail, and with road infrastructure getting better, the demand for trucks is bound to go up.
This story is from the May 2019 edition of MOTORINDIA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2019 edition of MOTORINDIA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ATS ELGI launches new range of equipment for CV segment
GARAGE EQUIPMENT
VECV delivers 50 CNG buses to PMPML in Pune
VEHICLE ZONE
Lucas TVS chosen as one of India's best workplaces in auto industry
The certification was done by The Great Place to Work Institute which works with the purpose of giving companies an opportunity to benchmark their practices that make every workplace unique for employees
JAMNA AUTO launches new trailer air suspension, bullish on market success
Understanding the pulse of the Indian customers, drivers and operating conditions, the home-grown company has come up with an ‘Indian product for Indian roads at Indian price’, reports N. Balasubramanian
Bridgestone drives Saabri Logistics' advancement with top-notch end-to-end tyre management
It is never easy for a fleet operator to strike the right balance between tight revenues and rising fuel and parts’ costs. However, if chosen wisely, important elements such as tyres can help in business advancement. Rajesh Rajgor finds this to be true in the case of Saabri Logistics
ZF to invest Euro 200 million as part of ‘Refresh India' strategy
ZF has announced a significant investment of around Euro 200 million as part of a strategic consolidation of its business domains with renewed impetus to drive growth in the Indian market over the next decade.
Chasing records, making roads, with Tata trucks
Jagdish Kadam, Chairman & Managing Director, Raj Path InfraCon shares details with MOTORINDIA about striving to create a world record for the longest road constructed in 24 hours, his company operations, and his fruitful association with Tata Motors.
IPL-Shaw JV for DEF solutions takes flight!
Commenting on this development, Gautam Venkataramani, Director, IPL Shaw Solutions India, said, “India Pistons Limited’s customer experience, local manufacturing strength over 60+ years with research and development and application engineering expertise will be used to provide DEF system solutions with light-weighting, performance-oriented approach leading to CAFE focus.”
What COVID has taught the resilient auto retail industry
In this special Guest Column, Vinkesh Gulati, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), shares his observations and views on how the Indian automotive retail sector has weathered the COVID storm and the key learnings and takeaways from the experience
“Cautiously optimistic on growth as COVID continues, emphasis on strong exports and aftermarket” - Vinnie Mehta
Contributing more than 6% to the nation’s GDP as per reports in April 2021, the Indian automotive industry in its entirety provides employment to about ‘37 million people’.
