Ashok Leyland bags fresh orders from VRL Logistics

Hinduja flagship Ashok Leyland has announced the bagging of fresh orders from VRL Logistics of 262 vehicles comprising 200 numbers of car carriers on the U-3518, 12 nos. of the U-4923 and 50 nos. of the company’s 12-meter buses. These requirements come on the heels of an order for 600 vehicles that VRL had placed a month ago for 500 nos. of 3123 multi-axle vehicles and 100 12-meter buses. Cumulatively, these orders for 862 vehicles are worth in excess of Rs. 172 crore. “The U-3518 is built on the new, innovative U-Truck platform and is one more example of a product designed to meet the specific load carrying requirements of VRL Logistics, who are India’s leading logistics company,” said R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland. “The rise in demand for fully-built vehicles in the Indian automotive industry is a positive sign and I am happy to note that this order also features a requirement for 40 fully-built, ready-to-use vehicles,” he added. The car carrier’s tandem axle fitment provides greater stability and helps generate higher fuel efficiency and faster turnaround time and thereby superior returns on investments. It comes with other carefully thought-out features like a wide inspection door to view the loaded cars and sufficient clearance between cars to reduce damage when stored. Further, easily operable hydraulics reduces time for loading and unloading. The U-3518 is powered by a 180 hp turbo-charged, inter-cooled ‘H’ series BS III engine capable of producing a flat torque of 550 Nm@1,600 – 2,100 rpm for better drivability. Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman, VRL Logistics said, “VRL is into a high-growth mode which is why, on the one hand, we are substantially expanding our fleet. On the other hand, we are entering new, high-potential growth segments like car-carriers and at the same time consolidating our position in areas like the passenger segment. I have immense confidence in Ashok Leyland’s understanding of my business and their capability to provide me products that are best suited for me.” The 862 vehicles will be inducted into VRL’s fleet, 80 pc of which are Ashok Leyland vehicles. VRL has grown from a single truck company in 1976 to a leading logistics enterprise with a fleet of 2,691 vehicles, a 12,000+ strong team and operations spread across 911 branches covering 2,629 locations.