Ashok Leyland div scales up Malaysia foray

The auto components manufacturing division of Ashok Leyland is exploring possibilities of entering the Malaysian market in a big way.

"The Malaysian market is highly lucrative and we are already supplying components to Tractor Malaysia, a leading local major," S Nagarajan, executive director (projects) Ashok Leyland, said.

The auto components group (ACG), has recently scaled up its operations in Malaysia by supplying its components to several ancillary companies there as well. "We now want to enter the Malaysian market in a big way, given the huge scope of the auto components business in that country. We are exploring joint venture possibilities there,"Nagarajan said.

The ACG, set up last year, is totally export-oriented and exports to markets in the Middle East, South-east Asia, the US and Europe.

According to Nagarajan, the division is now targeting an ambitious vault in its turnover at$ 100 million by end-2009. The division expects a turnover of $20 million this fiscal.

This steep scaling of turnover would be achieved by manufacturing new components for the automotive and industrial sectors and tapping fresh export markets, he said.

The company has also set up a new global design centre at Chennai last year and is now scouting for global business.

The design centre, known as the ashley design centre, will design auto components for global clients and function as an outsourcing centre for overseas clients. "Its capacity will be scaled up gradually," Nagarajan said.