– Dheeraj Hinduja
Dheeraj Hinduja has been steering Ashok Leyland as its Chairman since 2010. The main man at the helm delivered a speech that gave a holistic picture of the diverse areas where his company operates, exuding delight and joy on the landmark occasion, while also pointing at the bright and ambitious future ahead for the conglomerate.
Today’s event is graced by the presence of Shri. Nitin Gadkari, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. The Hon’ble Dr. TRB Rajaa, Minister of Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, represents the state on this significant occasion.
I want to commend Shri Gadkari for his remarkable contributions to India’s highway infrastructure and his unwavering advocacy for clean energy vehicles. Under his leadership, India is witnessing a significant expansion of its highway network. Dr. Rajaa, on the other hand, deserves acknowledgment for his vigorous efforts in fostering industrial growth in Tamil Nadu. Your presence here today is truly an honour and an inspiration.
We also extend special recognition to Shri Nand Gopal Gupta, the Hon’ble Minister for Industrial Development and Export Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and other esteemed guests, including Dr. Paul Oliver Ballhatchet, Deputy High Commissioner of the UK in Chennai, and Ms. Mossi, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
All of you have the opportunity to explore the exhibition we have put up, one that showcases Ashok Leyland’s integral role in India’s journey. Founded in 1948, our company has played a pivotal role in shaping passenger and cargo mobility, becoming a symbol of innovation, excellence, and sustainability.
We celebrate our 75-year journey for its remarkable achievements, with a focus on anticipating customer needs and the indigenous development of evolving technologies. Our recent range of heavy-duty and light-duty trucks has enjoyed tremendous success. In addition, we’ve launched vehicle financing through Ashok Leyland Finance and Hinduja Leyland Finance, both of which have left their mark on the industry.
Ashok Leyland is at the forefront of the digital transportation revolution, offering telematic and customer-centric aftermarket solutions, including an e-marketplace for used trucks. Moreover, we have taken significant steps in the development and launch of electric vehicles, with operations in India and the UK. Hundreds of Switch electric buses are now successfully operating in the UK and India.
I proudly announce the latest generation of electric double-decker buses and the unveiling of a new electric light truck, set to hit the roads in the coming months. We are also committed to vehicles based on alternate fuels such as methanol and hydrogen. Ashok Leyland showcased its hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen ICE vehicle developed in collaboration with NTPC and Reliance Industries.
Looking to the future, our aim is to be among the global top ten commercial vehicle manufacturers. This ambitious vision is underpinned by the availability of internal talent and a commitment to cost leadership.
Our alternate propulsion portfolio is designed to disrupt the industry commercially, with a goal of altering the current commercial vehicle equilibrium. We are already among the global top five bus manufacturers and have plans to expand our presence in the truck segment.
Environmental, social, and governance factors hold significant importance for us, with our sustainability mission titled “0 at 100.” We aim to achieve net-zero emissions by our 100th year. Diversity is at the core of our HR strategy, exemplified by an all-women engine line in the Hosur plant, with plans to replicate this in other facilities.
Our social initiatives, such as the “Road to School” program, have enabled around 200,000 disadvantaged children to access quality education and holistic development. The “Jal Jeevan” initiative provides clean drinking water to needy communities.
I express my gratitude to our vendors, dealers, customers, shareholders, investors, bankers, financial institutions, and government agencies for their unwavering support throughout Ashok Leyland’s journey. I conclude by thanking Shri Gadkari, Dr. Rajaa, and all distinguished guests for commemorating our 75th anniversary, expressing my optimism for a continued association in the years to come.