Ashok Leyland’s UAE joint venture plant goes on stream

Chennai-based commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland Limited Thursday announced the commissioning of its Ras Al Khaimah plant set up in a joint venture with Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA).

The 2,000 units per annum plant is the first vehicle factory in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – involving an investment of $20 million.

The plant will roll out the models made by AVIA Ashok Leyland based in Prague.

According to Ashok Leyland’s Managing Director R. Seshasayee, the facility is an important building block in the company’s quest to be a global player.

“Ashok Leyland has enjoyed a dominant position in the popular bus market of the Gulf region and therefore it was only natural for us to set up a manufacturing base closer to our customers,” he said.

“The UAE factory will also cater to African and European markets,” he said.