Ashok Leyland planning to launch a 40-feet boat

Ashok Leyland, a Hinduja Group company, has said the first product from its joint venture company, Ashok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Private Ltd, would be rolled out in June. Ashok Leyland also plans to bring out a 40-ft boat.

Managing Director Vinod K Dasari said, “The first product under the John Deere partnership will be rolled out in June. The company is also planning introduce excavators in the domestic market in the next six months”.

Ashok Leyland and US-based agriculture and forest equipment major John Deere had signed an agreement in 2008 to set up a new facility at Gummidipoondi, near Chennai. The two firms were scheduled to commence production by 2010. The firms were initially scheduled to roll out Backhoes and four-wheel-drive loaders.

On the company's plans to introduce the 40-ft boat, Dasari said, “In the last two months, we have carried out tests in lakes. Soon, we will come out with our own brand”.

While Ashok Leyland would supply the engines, it would rope in other partners for body, nets and other parts, Dasari said.