Ashok Leyland's Pick-Up 'Dost' Now Launched

[ilango[speed thirst]]

recently saw one, damn heavily loaded.
The rear springs were almost twisted to other side and stacked with barrels of paint.
It pulled efficiently with no straining sound from engine.

Infact i did find it sounds less than the ace.

But the maxximo are seen increase in view in pondicherry.

 

[Crazy cat]

That's great, so what was the price you paid? Is this equipped with the aircon?

Rs. 4,40,000 OTR and it doesn't have AC, just PS.

recently saw one, damn heavily loaded.
The rear springs were almost twisted to other side and stacked with barrels of paint.
It pulled efficiently with no straining sound from engine.

Infact i did find it sounds less than the ace.

But the maxximo are seen increase in view in pondicherry.

The in cabin noise was high, too much clatter. I saw one en-route to Kumbakonam doing speeds around 80kph. Powerful engine, expect it to be overloaded a lot.

I've seen some Maxximo in Chennai but in CBE it is a rare spotting.

 

[visran]

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland today unveiled the limited edition of its latest small commercial vehicle 'DOST' on its first anniversary.

Ashok Leyland, along with its joint venture partner Nissan Motor Company on this day last year forayed into the small commercial vehicle segment (2.5 tonne), with the launch of 'DOST' range of vehicles.

The new variant, equipped with a host of new features, would be immediately available in all 45 touchpoints across the country, Ashok Leyland Vice-Chairman V Sumantran told reporters after unveiling the anniversary edition.

"We felt to introduce something special (to our customers) on this special occasion. And therefore, the first Anniversary edition. Today is the birthday of DOST," he said.

The new model, a limited variant (to be available till Diwali), would be priced Rs 15,000 higher -- at Rs 4.78 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) -- than the existing model. The model boasts stylish body graphics, along with new colour gray beige besides, bull bars and fuel tank guards, among other features.

The company, since DOST's launch, has sold 20,479 units and is the market leader in eight states with a share of 31 per cent in eight states where it was launched, he said.

The distribution network would be taken to 89 by end of this fiscal, Ashok Leyland, Executive Director - LCV and Defence, Nitin Seth said on their expansion plans.

According to him, the company which initially produced 200 units of DOST, at its manufacturing facility in Hosur in Tamil Nadu, has been ramping up to meet the demand.

The plant capacity, which is running in two shifts, is expected to reach 55,000 units in the next fiscal. The current waiting period for delivery of DOST range is about 2.5 months.

Replying to a query, he said they would be taking up the market presence of DOST to 11 states by this year-end.

At present, DOST is present in eight states. "At the time of launch, we introduced it in six states. We added Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in the last quarter. We are looking at (entering) Madhya Pradesh, National Capital Region and Uttar Pradesh down the year," he said.

Ashok Leyland unveils latest edition of SCV 'Dost' - The Economic Times

 

[Vishwas]

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland today unveiled the limited edition of its latest small commercial vehicle 'DOST' on its first anniversary.

Ashok Leyland, along with its joint venture partner Nissan Motor Company on this day last year forayed into the small commercial vehicle segment (2.5 tonne), with the launch of 'DOST' range of vehicles.
...
At present, DOST is present in eight states. "At the time of launch, we introduced it in six states. We added Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in the last quarter. We are looking at (entering) Madhya Pradesh, National Capital Region and Uttar Pradesh down the year," he said.

Ashok Leyland unveils latest edition of SCV 'Dost' - The Economic Times

Good news that Dost have captured the market very well, but it still needs to make a sounding backup like the Ace from Tata did.

Regarding the special edition, i feel they would have given some other things which would be really helpful to the owners like free insurance or something which reduces the cost to the owner because these things mentioned are just for styling purpose and there would be less takers for it.

 

[visran]

Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland today unveiled the limited edition of its latest small commercial vehicle 'DOST' on its first anniversary.

Here is the pic of the special edition, I loved the design of the bull bar and DRL's

 

[visran]

Another pic from the launch event

 

[sethumurugan]

Dost-Limited Anniversary Edition

Chennai, September 11, 2012: ‘Dost’, the Light Commercial Vehicle from Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja flagship, completes one successful year in the market. To celebrate this event, the Company has launched a limited 1st Anniversary edition of ‘Dost’ in the eight markets where it is available at present.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr. V. Sumantran, Vice Chairman, Ashok Leyland and Chairman, Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain Ltd., said, “This first anniversary for the DOST is an important juncture for us at Ashok Leyland as well as our JV partner Nissan to take stock of the year gone by. We have been extremely pleased with the very positive reaction to the product by our customers. We had attempted to redefine the benchmark amongst small LCVs. The results over the past year, measured by customer satisfaction, sustained waiting list and rising share of market are greatly appreciated by us at Ashok Leyland and our rapidly expanding dealer network. Our celebration is more a gesture of gratitude to our loyal and growing customer base.”

While the tough chassis and powerful engine will remain the same, the Anniversary edition of ‘Dost’ will be available in an attractive colour - Gray Beige replete with stylish body graphics and some specially designed accessories like Bull Bars, Fuel Tank Guards, Fuel Tank Skirt Panels, LED lights and Arm Rests. The new edition will be priced at Rs. 4.78 lacs (ex-showroom, Chennai).

​

“Dost’ is currently the leader with 31% share in its category in the markets of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa and the No. 2 brand at an all-India level. Since launch in September 2011, Ashok Leyland has sold 20479 units of ‘Dost’ till August 2012.

Offering higher productivity and class-leading performance at an extremely competitive cost of ownership, ‘Dost’ rolls out from Ashok Leyland’s Hosur facility where the Company has been progressively ramping up production to the meet the increasing demand. Currently operating through 45 customer touch points, the Company will expand its LCV network aggressively across the country, going forward.

Iam really sorry guys. I checked the first page and found no info about the Limited aniversary version of our DOST so I posted the info. After posting I found there is a second page and our official information provider has already provided with info. Mods if you want this can be deleted since the same info is repeated here.

 

[S Class]

Oh, now even dost is coming with DRLs !!
The new version though looks good, seems more of aftermarket. The front chrome bumpers aren't integrated properly, I feel. Maybe having some wheel covers would have made it looked better.

 

[visran]

Ashok Leyland expects full capacity utilization at its Hosur facility Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland which recently launched the anniversary edition of its Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Dost is reportedly expecting full capacity utilisation of its facility at Hosur for the mdoel by next fiscal year.
According to a report in Business Standard, the LCV which is a joint venture with Nissan has reached sales of around 2,800 units a month. Around 20,479 units of Dost had been marketed across eight states in the country so far. The sales are growing according to the demand and the production capacity of 55,000 units a year, which the company set up at Hosur facility, would be completely utilised by the next fiscal year.

The report quoted V Sumantran, vice chairman, Ashok Leyland and chairman, Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain Ltd as saying “the production might be limited by the capacity of the production facility,” though the company is working on ways to avoid any such situation. It was also mentioned that while the company, along with Nissan, is planning to set up a greenfield facility to manufacture Dost, at Pillaipakkam in Tamil Nadu, it expects capacity constrain to continue till the new facility comes up. It has received around 280 acres at Pillaipakkam from the government, and it would take 2-2.5 years to bring up the greenfield facility.

Ashok Leyland expects full capacity utilization at its Hosur facility | WheelsUnplugged

 

[sethumurugan]

A new 'Dost' for Amitabh!

Another news on DOST

 

[visran]

That's a nice modification done to Dost , I feel Amitabh himself should have contributed couple of more Dost's, as one vehicle wont be enough to cater to a large city like Mumbai.

 

[S Class]

Today I saw a Dost whose tyre came off and got stuck between chassis and body. Don't know what the reason was. Maybe driver banged into pothole or something.

 

[visran]

ASHOK LEYLAND PLANS TO LAUNCH DOST ELECTRIC IN 2014; 3 MORE VARIANTS LINED UP

Indian commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland is developing an electric variant of the Dost mini pick up truck. The Dost, which has been developed through an Ashok Leyland-Nissan collaboration could get the electric variant in 2014. Other details about the electric powered Dost remains unknown at this point in time.

While the electric variant of the Dost is at least a year away, Ashok Leyland has plans of launching a slew of variants of this highly popular mini pick up truck. A variant of the Dost with higher load bearing capacity is slated for a launch in the next few months. Also, Ashok Leyland has lined up a CNG version of the Dost that’ll be aimed at mini pick up truck buyers operating primarily within city limits. A passenger carrier version of the Dost, a-la-Tata Magic, is also in the works. So, expect the Dost to be available in a wide variety of variants in the coming years.

Ashok Leyland plans to launch Dost Electric in 2014; 3 more variants lined up - Indian Cars Bikes

 

[Vishwas]

A passenger carrier version of the Dost, a-la-Tata Magic, is also in the works. So, expect the Dost to be available in a wide variety of variants in the coming years.

This could be amazing! let them set a base on service first and no wonder AL will rock in Southern part of India.

 

[sachinsharma]

this van just looks awesome but i have a bit doubt regarding its loading capacity and engine power