Ashok Leyland has bagged orders worth $43.5 million for 1,000 buses from the Angolan Ministry of Transport.
Following a close study of Angola’s transport requirements, Ashok Leyland developed a unique vehicle to meet the needs of the rural population who travel to the cities with agricultural produce and return with provisions. A goods compartment was added to the seating area with 30 seats.
The vehicle built on a strengthened chassis to withstand the extra weight of goods, has a 4x4 configuration to combat trying under-tyre conditions. A total of 300 such buses were delivered within stiff deadlines starting August 2008, along with 200 Falcon buses.
In January 2009 came the second order for 500 Eagle Mini buses – 50 air-conditioned and 450 non air-conditioned. Deliveries against this order have to be completed by March 31 next.
“These orders are definitive steps in our global plans of creating a significant presence in the second hemisphere markets and come close on the heels of the orders for Defence vehicles from Honduras and Thailand,” said Mr. R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland.
“Along with our ongoing operations in South Africa and Kenya, entry into the Angolan market further strengthens our presence in the high potential sub-Saharan African region,” he added.
Following a close study of Angola’s transport requirements, Ashok Leyland developed a unique vehicle to meet the needs of the rural population who travel to the cities with agricultural produce and return with provisions. A goods compartment was added to the seating area with 30 seats.
The vehicle built on a strengthened chassis to withstand the extra weight of goods, has a 4x4 configuration to combat trying under-tyre conditions. A total of 300 such buses were delivered within stiff deadlines starting August 2008, along with 200 Falcon buses.
In January 2009 came the second order for 500 Eagle Mini buses – 50 air-conditioned and 450 non air-conditioned. Deliveries against this order have to be completed by March 31 next.
“These orders are definitive steps in our global plans of creating a significant presence in the second hemisphere markets and come close on the heels of the orders for Defence vehicles from Honduras and Thailand,” said Mr. R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland.
“Along with our ongoing operations in South Africa and Kenya, entry into the Angolan market further strengthens our presence in the high potential sub-Saharan African region,” he added.
Peace returned to war-torn Angola with the lifting of trade embargos and the first democratic elections held there in September 2008. Ashok Leyland is working closely with transport authorities and agencies to develop a range of vehicles tailor-made to meet the unique requirements of Angola.
