New Indian Company to Build Leylands
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A COMPANY has beep formed to
make Leyland vehicla and engines in India. Known as Ashok Leyland, Ltd., it has been constituted by reconstructing Ashok Motors, Ltd., Leyland main distributors in India. Capital of the Indian concern has been strengthened and includes British money from Leyland Motors, Ltd.
Ashok Leyland, Ltd., will introduce and develop, if necessary, vehicles suitable for the Indian market. At first, however, they will concentrate on the production of Comet goods and passenger models, which type forms the majority of Indian orders.
Initial orders for machine tools, jigs and other equipment to the value of £100,000 have been placed by the new concern. British planners and shop engineers will be seconded to India, and Indian technicians will attend a course of instruction at Leyland so that they will be fully capable of taking over the running of the Indian plant when they return home.
Ashok Motors, Ltd. have held the Leyland distribut(thhip in India since the end of 1950, and have been receiving knocked-down chassis for assembly at their factory at Ennore, Madras. The plant covers some 140 acres, Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, chairman of the new company, has held many high offices in Indian public life. Other Indian directors are Khan Bahadur C. B. Taraporvala, financial adviser to the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mrs. Raksha Saran, widow of the founder of Ashok Motors, Ltd., and Mr. M. P. Sanghvi, chairman and managing director of Automotive Manufacturers, Ltd., Leyland main agents for Bombay, Hyderabad and Saurashtra.
The British directors are Sir Henry Spurrier, managing director of Leyland Motors, Ltd., Mr. D. (3. Stokes, director and general sales and service manager, and Mr. A. E. L. Collins, formerly representative of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon. Mr. Collins has been appointed managing director.