Ashok Leyland to invest $10 mn in Ras Al Khaimah plant

Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland on Friday said it is making expanding its facility in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE at an outlay of $10 million.

In a statement issued on Friday, the company said it is making a fresh investment of $10 million in the plant there to increase production of existing models and also to introduce new models including midi buses and trucks.

Currently, the output of the plant is 12 buses a day and the new investments will enhance this to 20 buses - apart from the production of trucks from the factory.

Inaugurated in December 2010, the plant continues to grow, and will more than triple its annual installed capacity to 6,000 units a year.

Accoding to managing director Vinod K. Dasari, the RAK plant is key for the supply of buses to address the needs of Gulf Cooperation Council countries. With the company's ambitious plans for Africa, further expansion of the facility is foreseen.

Ashok Leyland said the RAK plant will be made into a centre of excellence for its overseas expansion and the establishment of the new design and service training centre was a move in this direction.