📰 Ashok Leyland Expects Truck Sales to Exceed Forecast on GST Cuts, Infra Boost

Ashok Leyland anticipates stronger growth in medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) sales this year, surpassing its initial 3–5% estimate, buoyed by the government’s GST rate reduction and accelerated infrastructure spending. “Since September and October have been better, we think the growth for the year will be higher,” said Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland, in an interview with Moneycontrol. He added that the company expects clearer growth visibility in the next 30–45 days. The Hinduja Group flagship has ramped up operations to 70–80% capacity utilisation, with bus production capacity set to exceed 20,000 units annually by early next year. Through its EV arm Switch Mobility, Ashok Leyland is participating in the 10,900-bus CESL tender and confirmed that Switch has turned PAT positive in the first half of FY26, aided by improved cost efficiency and synergy benefits. Commercial production at the company’s greenfield Lucknow plant—covering electric, CNG, and diesel vehicles—is expected to begin within two months. On the defence side, the company maintains a strong order book, keeping its facilities fully booked for the next 18–24 months. Additionally, Ashok Leyland plans to set up a battery pack and cell manufacturing facility, with Phase 1 investment of ₹500 crore for pack assembly over 12–18 months. Phase 2, covering cell production, could take total investment to ₹5,000–10,000 crore. #AshokLeyland #AutoNews #CommercialVehicles #SwitchMobility #ElectricBus #InfrastructureGrowth #GST #EVIndia #MakeInIndia #Capex #DefenceManufacturing #IndianAutoIndustry