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MOTORINDIA
l September 2012
33
As was predicted last year, the
commercial vehicle industry grew
well, albeit at a slower pace, com-
pared to the previous year, having
recovered to higher base volumes.
The industry also saw a substantial
amount of competitive activity and
recorded 18 per cent growth dur-
ing 2011-12 to post its highest-ever
volume of 8,09,532 units. Medium
and heavy commercial vehicles
(M&HCVs) grew by eight per cent,
posting volume of 3,48,701, again
recording highest-ever sales. Light
commercial vehicles (LCVs) post-
ed a growth of 27.4 per cent and
reached a volume of 4,60,831 units.
The contribution of M&HCVs
declined to about 43 per cent of the
overall CV segment, compared to
47 per cent the previous year. The
LCV segment continued to grow
steadily. It has, in fact, been one
of the strongest growing segments
in the entire automobile space. The
small commercial vehicle segment
(trucks of less than 3.5 tonnes GVW
within LCVs), which accounts for
over three-fourth of the LCV mar-
ket, is driving growth on the back of
strong demand for transportation of
consumer goods within cities and re-
placement demand from upper-end
three-wheelers.
Medium and heavy
commercial vehicles
Ashok Leyland delivered mixed
results in 2011-12. It registered its
highest-ever sales of 94,397 vehi-
cles, with a marginal growth of 0.3
per cent compared to the previous
year.
In the domestic market, the com-
pany sold 81,147 M&HCVs, two
per cent less than the previous year.
These included 20,635 M&HCV
buses and 60,512 M&HCV trucks,
one per cent more and 3.5 per cent
vehicle zone (cover story)
The year 2011-12 was one of continuing consolida-
tion for Ashok Leyland. The key challenge was to
concurrently lay emphasis on the short-term ac-
tions to restore the market position and the long-
term initiatives for growth. The company is pursu-
ing the vision to be, in volume terms, among the
Top 10 truck manufacturers and Top 5 bus players
globally. In that journey, the year goneby witnessed
a series of steps taken by Ashok Leyland that bol-
stered the confidence of realising its goals.
Mr. Dheeraj G. Hinduja
Chairman, Ashok Leyland