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CHENNAI, May 14

ASHOK Leyland Ltd sold 23.6 per cent more number of vehicles in April 2002, against the same month in the previous year, according to a company press release.

The truck maker sold 2,236 vehicles last month, as compared to 1,808 vehicles in April 2001.

Increase in volume has come about both from the domestic market as well as exports. Domestic sales amounted to 2,145 vehicles (1,781). This represents a 20.43 per cent growth.

Exports sales more than trebled to 91 vehicles (27).

Company sources pointed out that the growth in domestic sales is more significant than the trebling of export sales. It is understood that the growth in domestic sales was nourished by the two new products of the company - the16-tonne Comet Gold and the multi-axle Tusker Gold. The former allows for a larger payload, while the increase in Tusker Gold's sales indicates a continuance of the preference for multi-axle vehicles.

These products were launched in September, but the company could be seeing their take-off now.

Gradually, Ashok Leyland has brought in flexibility in the manufacturing capabilities of its four plants, so that any plant can produce any kind of vehicle.

For example, the Ennore plant, which used to produce the Comet range, now produces also multi-axles. The flexibility came about both by modifications in the assembly lines, as well as suitable provisions in the recent wage agreement, allowing for a flexible deployment of labour.

This flexibility, sources point out, would do the company good in the coming months.

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