AUTOFORUM

Ashok Leyland Dost - a class-leading entry-level work horse

Dec 08, 2023 Ashok Leyland of India, Dost 1, 5 Turbo Diesel pick-up, ETG Logistics (ETGL), Francois van Eeden, Ashok Leyland Southern Africa

Ashok Leyland Dost - a class-leading entry-level work horse

Ashok Leyland of India has entered the Southern African commercial vehicle market with the introduction of the Dost 1,5 Turbo Diesel pick-up.

Boasting class-leading attributes in the entry-level pick-up segment such as a load carrying capacity of 1,250kg, fuel consumption of 6,1 l/100km and a 5-Year / 500,000km warranty, the Ashok Leyland Dost is set to appeal to small businesses, farmers, and fleet operators alike.

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, is the second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, the fourth largest manufacturer of buses in the world, and the 19th largest manufacturer of trucks. As a US$ 4.5 billion company with a 75-year legacy since 1948, and a footprint that extends across fifty countries, Ashok Leyland claims to be one of the most fully integrated manufacturing companies in Asia.

Headquartered in Chennai with nine manufacturing plants, Ashok Leyland boasts a product range from 2.5-ton to 55-ton GVM and from thirteen seats to seventy-nine seats in terms of capacity, giving the brand a 31% market share in the Indian Commercial Vehicle Market. Ashok Leyland has a well-diversified portfolio across the automobile industry and is the first truck and bus manufacturer outside of Japan to win the Deming Prize for Quality for its Pantnagar plant in 2016 and the Hosur Unit II in 2017.

Distribution of the Ashok Leyland model range in Southern Africa is through ETG Logistics (ETGL), a vertical of ETG. ETGL will operate dealerships for Ashok Leyland in seven Southern African countries. In South Africa, fourteen dealers have already been appointed. The initial model line-up for Southern Africa will focus on the class-leading 1,25-ton carrying capacity Dost pick-up, followed by the 4,5-ton Partner light truck and the 1,86-ton carrying capacity Phoenix pick-up early in 2024. Heavier trucks and buses, including electric vehicles, will join the Ashok Leyland product offering at a later stage.

Mr. Sachin Dasharath, Head Africa Business Ashok Leyland, said, “We have ambitious growth plans for the African Market. Our time-tested products are well suited for the African terrain and offers superior value proposition to customers. ETG group’s extensive connect in these markets will complement our growth plans.”

Dost, one of Ashok Leyland’s award winning light commercial vehicles, is an ideal vehicle to ensure last mile transportation of goods. The car-like ease and fuel efficiency of Dost makes it a convenient option to navigate through smaller lanes, ensuring door-step delivery of goods to the consumer.

Dost is Ashok Leyland’s entry level work horse and boasts a rated payload of 1,250kg which is the highest in the entry-level pick-up segment. A larger pick-up, the Ashok Leyland Phoenix with a load carrying capacity of 1,860kg will compete against larger one-ton competitors with a GVM of less than 3,500kg and is due for introduction early in 2024.

The Ashok Leyland Dost comes with a 1478cc, 3-cylinder, turbo charged diesel common rail engine (TDCR) which produces maximum power of 44kW at 3300 r/min and maximum torque of 158Nm at 1600 to 2400 r/min. Compared to direct competitors, the Dost offers a reasonably powerful diesel engine paired with a short geared 5-speed full synchromesh manual transmission for optimal tractability and fuel efficiency even when fully laden. This pick-up has a 215mm diaphragm, single dry plate clutch setup for better drivability, reliability, and durability. In unladen condition the Ashok Leyland Dost achieves a class-leading fuel consumption figure of 6,1 l/100km in the combined cycle and 7,5 l/100km when fully laden. Considering the 40-litre fuel tank capacity, users can expect to achieve a fuel range of over 600km in the unladen condition.

Says Francois van Eeden, Brand Head, Ashok Leyland Southern Africa: “Considering the tough economic conditions in Southern Africa and escalating finance and operating cost for farmers, small businesses and fleet operators alike, the Ashok Leyland Dost with its class-leading fuel consumption, impressive load carrying capacity, competitive pricing and generous warranty presents outstanding value for money and will definitely assist the target market in reducing vehicle acquisition and operating cost. We are looking forward to present a more complete product portfolio to the market when we introduce the Partner light truck and Phoenix high-capacity pick-up early in 2024.”

Three models are available namely a Chassis Cab (for unique load body configurations), a Fixed Sides Deck (FSD) model and a Drop Sides Deck (DSD) model. The FSD model has a load body measuring 2500mm (length) x 1620mm (width) x 368mm (depth) with sleek headlights integrated into the body. The DSD model offers the convenience of easy loading and off-loading with the load body at 2656mm being 156mm longer than that of the FSD model. The DSD model is also equipped with a sturdy cab protector.

184 R14 LT 8-ply commercial tyres on styled steel rims ensure adequate traction in the most difficult conditions and can deal with demanding loads of over one ton, and the body work is also protected against stone chipping by standard mudflaps. Equipped with power steering and a short turning radius of only 5,5m and ease of driving, Dost appeals to the urban distributors who must navigate narrow streets and traffic congestion.

All these attributes combine to give the Ashok Leyland Dost class-leading load carrying capacity in the segment for entry-level pick-ups, of 1,250kg for the FSD model and 1,205kg for the DSD model with its heavier load body.

The Ashok Leyland Dost model line-up for Southern Africa with recommended retail prices inclusive of VAT at 15% are as follows:

Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Chassis Cab: R 229,999

Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Fixed Sides Deck: R 249,999

Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Drop Sides Deck: R 254,999

Warranty is 5-Year / 500,000km and service intervals set at 1-Year / 15,000km.