Ashok Leyland to come up with two new vans in passenger vehicle space

Ashok Leyland, country's second biggest commercial vehicle maker is likely to come up with two new vans in passenger vehicle space in a year. The first vehicle will be a 7-8 seater variant of the recently launched Dost 1.2 ton LCV. The second model, based on Nissan's NV 200 platform, will be an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). The company is also planning CNG variants around the same time.

For the second model, joint venture partner Nissan is developing a more premium positioned van to compete with the Toyota Innova.  A passenger variant of the Dost will come in a year and the MPV next year, where both Nissan and Ashok Leyland will use the platform. Ashok Leyland target both passenger and commercial vehicle markets.

The Dost-based passenger vehicle is expected to compete with Maruti's Eeco and Tata Motors' Venture.  Nissan and Ashok Leyland have already invested Rs 1,200 crore for the first two platforms, out of a plan to invest a total of Rs 2,300 crore.