Ashok Leyland, on Saturday, launched a range of haulage trucks fitted with twin speed rear axles and a few technical modifications that would help truckers reduce fuel consumption by 7 to 10 per cent. Executive Director (Marketing) of Ashok Leyland, Rajive Saharia said that stringent norms that were implemented by the government to reduce pollution led to a dip in fuel efficiency.
“Of the four major expenses incurred by truckers, fuel and its price hike are of prime concern for them. About 70 per cent of truck operation in India is on highways. Trucks with the newly launched technology are aimed at improving mileage on highways by maintaining speed without consuming much fuel. Drivers should be trained in using the new technology to serve the purpose of saving fuel”, he added.
Company sources said that the new arrangement would cost about Rs.70,000 more per truck. “The new mechanism will not add more than 100 kgs to the vehicle’s weight. The technologies are custom designed for the Ashok Leyland driveline and vehicle equipped with these technologies will be launched in a phased manner”, they added. Executive Director (Strategic Allied Business Initiatives) B. Venkat Subramaniam was also present at the launch.
