20 Jan 2023
Mr Shenu Agarwal is known for driving transformation in marketing techniques and creating new ways for cost efficiency.
Ashok Leyland is one of the highest-rated companies in the commercial vehicle segment. The brand has always been a pioneer in proposing innovations in the market and will work to extend the same under the newly appointed MD, Mr Shenu Agarwal.
Mr Agarwal joined Ashok Leyland a month ago and has worked in high positions. At the last company, Escorts Kubota, he has been credited for transforming marketing strategies and creating new ways of cost efficiency.
“Ashok Leyland is a challenger. A challenger always likes change but leaders resist change. Because whenever there is a change there is a new opportunity to pitch differently and possibly aim for leadership,” said Mr Shenu Agarwal.
“We at Ashok Leyland realise that we are a challenger brand and therefore, we welcome change. We will do our best to adapt and be ahead of the curve to be the first and smartest,” Agarwal added.
The domestic sales of Ashok Leyland went up by 71% to 1,24,265 units between the period of April to December, which was higher than the industry average. In addition, according to the reports of FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealership Association), the brand has increased its market share to 15.2% in December 2022 compared to the 13.6% in December 2021.
The Future of Alternative Fuel in Commercial Vehicles
At the Auto Expo 2023, the brand showcased its new alternative fuel vehicles. The Boss battery electric vehicle, a Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle, Hydrogen ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) truck, and a liquified gas truck. Also, all of these vehicles are built on the AVTR platform. According to Mr Agarwal, the industry will experience a stretched upcycle, which will stay longer than the traditional upcycle.
“There is pent-up demand in the market and we are at the start of an upcycle. I feel this time the upcycle will be extended. Elections are coming up and the government is pushing for infrastructure development. The next few years look very optimistic. This industry will go through a lot of change,” said Mr Agarwal.
If we look at the transformation in the industry concerning the electrification of the segment. Ashok Leyland is also actively taking part in this revolution. The electrification of Intermediate Commercial Vehicle (ICV) and Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) will be done by Ashok Leyland. On the other hand, the electrification of Buses & Small Commercial vehicles (SCV) will be done by the subsidiary company Switch Mobility.
“We see penetration in EVs happening in buses and SCVs. We expect the electrification of ICV and HCV to happen over a longer period. Switch is catering to that segment which requires solutions sooner (like buses and SCVs) and rest of the development work is going on at Ashok Leyland,” said Mr Shenu Agarwal.
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