LEYLAND EXPA NSION IN INDIA
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ROJECTS costing over £4m. which
will increase the size of Ashok Leyland's vehicleproducing factories in Madras, and almost double the number of employees have been announced by Leyland Motors Ltd. New and more powerful goods and bus chassis will also become available to Indian operators.
Leyland's new investment will take the form of i2-1m. worth of special plant and machinery, whilst the . balance of €14-m. of Indian capital will finance new factory buildings, bringing the total factory space to over 800,000 sq. ft. Under Ashok Leyland's new manufacturing programme, twoand threeaxled vehicles will be produced with gross ratings of up to 107,520 lb. (compared with the present Comet articulated-unit maximum of 40,320 lb.). and with 185 hp. Leyland Power Plus 0.680 diesel engines.
The new models will comprise twoaxled Beaver models and three-axled Hippos, using 6-ton front and 9-ton i.ear axles, and the Hippo models will be available in 6.x 2, 6 x 4 or 6 x 6 form, Military versions will also he produced, and goods and passenger vehicles will be made in both ranges. Special features of the vehicles include powerfull air brakes, power-assisted clutch, powerassisted handbrake, low geared steering, and hub reduction axles with singleor double-drive rear bogies for the sixwheeled models.
Beaver models will include haulage, tipper and dumper models with a gross rating of 35,00016. and an articulated outfit with a gross train weight of 53,760 lb. A similar range of Hippos will also be available, with a gross rating of 44,8001h, or 107,5201b. in the case of an articulated outfit.