Ashok Leyland Set to Introduce New Heavy-Duty Truck Range up to 360 HP!
By Ashutosh Arora
Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, is gearing up to launch a new series of heavy-duty diesel trucks offering 320 HP and 360 HP power ratings. This upcoming range marks a renewed push in the company’s core MHCV (medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle) segment, even as it continues building a diversified portfolio across electric, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen technologies.
According to Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal, the development of these next-generation trucks aligns with Ashok Leyland’s strategy to strengthen its manufacturing foundation and accelerate its go-to-market cycle. The new models will feature advanced aggregates and six-cylinder engines engineered to deliver best-in-segment torque, enabling superior performance and faster turnaround times for fleet operators. By boosting operational efficiency, the company aims to enhance customer profitability across long-haul and heavy-load applications.
Even as the focus remains firmly on diesel for the near term, Ashok Leyland is expanding its presence in alternative propulsion. The company already has light electric trucks, multiple MHCV electric variants, and electric buses operating in commercial fleets. Parallel development continues in CNG, LNG, and hydrogen-fuel platforms, reflecting a balanced approach between current market needs and future mobility trends.
A major expansion is also underway in Ashok Leyland’s bus division. Its fully built bus manufacturing capacity is set to grow significantly as the new Lucknow plant nears inauguration. Combined with the Andhra Pradesh facility, total bus body-building capacity will scale from around 12,000 units to more than 20,000 units per year. This expansion positions the company to meet rising demand from state transport undertakings, private operators, and institutional buyers.
Looking ahead, Agarwal expressed confidence in market conditions for the second half of the fiscal year. Strong infrastructure development, robust consumption patterns, and supportive policies such as the reduction of GST on trucks and buses from 28% to 18% continue to drive demand in both LCV and MHCV categories. He expects these factors to stimulate fresh fleet purchases while improving overall industry sentiment.
By introducing powerful new diesel trucks while accelerating investments in green mobility, Ashok Leyland is reinforcing its leadership in India’s commercial vehicle industry. The company’s dual-track strategy—strengthening conventional offerings while developing next-generation energy solutions—positions it strongly for both immediate growth and long-term transition in the mobility ecosystem.
