Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja group and the second-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India, is all set to extend the data available from its real-time monitored connected network of 200,000 vehicles to insurance players and financiers for making it advantageous for consumers.<\/p>\n
As a first step, the company is in the process of roping in its in-house company Hinduja Leyland Finance (HLF).<\/p>\n
Through the telematics-driven connected network, the company helps vehicles on the ground in predicting problems along with quick support in case of breakdowns to AI-based customer solutions.<\/p>\n
“We were the first company to deploy telematics, which is level one of the connected vehicles. That has provided significant value to our customers.<\/p>\n
“Suppose if there is a small change in the software, you will have to go and physically connect to the vehicles.<\/p>\n
“Similarly, if I have to diagnose the vehicle, I can remotely access the vehicle almost like a twin,” said N Saravanan, chief technology officer of Ashok Leyland.<\/p>\n
Saravanan added that the company’s plan is to decrease the customer’s operating expenditure.<\/p>\n
“The data can find if a driver is driving safely. Then the probability of an accident will be lower.<\/p>\n
“If we can show that this customer’s fleet is always 90 per cent loaded, there is a much higher probability that he will be able to pay EMI.<\/p>\n
“We are looking to extend this data with our in-house company HLF and will do it with others later,” Saravanan added.<\/p>\n
This is likely to bring down insurance costs for the consumer if his performance is better.<\/p>\n
According to reports, by last year, the company has helped its customers save 15 per cent on costs — around 5-6 per cent on fuel and 15 per cent on fleet utilisation through digital measures.<\/p>\n
It was in 2020 that the company came out with the next-generation solution — Digital Nxt — to help customers in tracing and tracking, fuel management, service due reminders, and quick reactive support. Last year, the next wave of ‘Digital Nxt’ solutions — including iALERT 3.0, Uptime Solution Center and AL Care were launched.<\/p>\n
“We are looking at more prognostics, even before the vehicle fails can I diagnose and say that there is a potential for malfunctioning of the vehicle,” he said.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Ashok Leyland showcased six new alternative energy products at the Auto Expo 2023.<\/p>\n
The products that the company showcased included a battery electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, a hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, a liquefied natural gas vehicle, an intercity compressed natural gas bus and a mini passenger bus.<\/p>\n
“The automotive sector has seen a wave of technological upgrades in the last two years with green fuel being the future of the industry.<\/p>\n
“Our aim is to make India’s alternate fuel segment self-reliant and be one of the flag bearers of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign,” said Shenu Agarwal, managing director, and chief executive officer, Ashok Leyland.<\/p>\n
“The company’s EV arm Switch Mobility has showcased its newest electric light commercial vehicle, the IeV.<\/p>\n
“These are intelligent vehicles with a lot of optimisation, connectivity, prognostic, and diagnostic ability.<\/p>\n
“In the next few years we will be launching multiple products under IEV series,” said Mahesh Babu, chief executive officer of Switch Mobility.<\/p>\n