RAS AL KHAIMAH: Ashok Leyland has set up as a joint venture automobile assembly plant with the Hinduja Group in Ras Al Khaimah and the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority. The $50 million plant will cater to markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Africa and Europe. Sheikh Saud Bin Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Ras Al Khaimah inaugurated the facility, which will spread over in 100,000 sq m with a built-up area of 20,000 sqm. The factory will have an initial annual capacity of 2,000 buses and trucks, the company said. "For the Hinduja Group, this is an important step in reinforcing our presence in the Middle East", said Srichand P. Hinduja. R Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland, said that the facility was an important building block in the company's quest to be a global player. "The company has a dominant position in the popular bus market of the Gulf region and therefore it was only natural for us to set up a manufacturing base closer to our customers." The European brand of trucks, currently produced at Prague-based Avia Ashok Leyland Motors, would be produced at the RAK plant. The D-Line series of Avia trucks will complement Ashok Leyland's medium and heavy-duty trucks, in serving the traditional markets of Africa, UAE and neighboring regions, the company said. The launch models for the market are the D75-140, a 7.5 ton powered by a 140 hp engine and the D120-180 (12 ton, 180 hp engine).
