The country’s leading commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland has ruled-out the possibility of foraying into the passenger car segment in the near future. While speaking on the recent media reports that the firm is all set to launch a new small car in the Indian market, the company said that it has no such plans.
Speaking to ET, Mr. Vinod Desai, MD of the firm, said, "I do not think we will get into cars. None of my customers tell me today I also need an Ashok Leyland car.”
The recent media reports in the local market had claimed that the Japanese auto giant is planning to launch a new small car in the Indian market in partnership with the Ashok Leyland. The car was speculated to be launched in the country by year 2014, in these reports.
It is to be mentioned here that Nissan and Ashok Leyland has a commercial vehicle manufacturing partnership in the Indian market and has a light commercial vehicle Dost in their Indian portfolio.
Speaking on the matter, Nissan Motor Executive VP Andy Palmer, said, "We are working on multiple options of price-entry vehicles for the Indian market. One of them is being developed with engineering department of Ashok Leyland."
