Ashok Leyland Dost bakkie arrives in SA
Indian workhorse is priced from R230,000 and can lug a hefty 1,250kg
Ashok Leyland of India has entered SA’s commercial vehicle market with a budgetpriced workhorse bakkie starting at just under R230,000.
With a load capacity of 1,250kg, the Dost 1.5 Turbo Diesel pickup is sold in three versions: a chassis cab, a fixed sides deck and a drop sides deck. They will appeal to small businesses, farmers and fleet operators and are sold with class-leading five-year/ 500,000km warranties. Rivals such as the Suzuki Super Carry, JAC X100 and Mahindra Bolero carry three-year/100,000km warranties.
Ashok Leyland is one of the largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles in India and sells products in 50 countries. Headquartered in Chennai with nine manufacturing plants, the 75-year-old company boasts a product range from 2.5-tonne to 55-tonne GVM and passenger capacity ranges from 13 seats to 70 seats.
Distribution of the Ashok Leyland model range in seven Southern African countries is through ETG Logistics, a vertical of ETG. In SA 14 dealers have been appointed.
After the Dost pickup, the brand intends to expand its local range with the 4.5-tonne Partner light truck and the 1.86-tonne Phoenix pickup early in 2024. Heavier trucks and buses, including electric vehicles, will join the product offering later.
Ashok Leyland Africa business head Sachin Dasharath said: “We have ambitious growth plans for the African market. Our time-tested products are well suited for the African terrain and offer superior value proposition.”
The Dost is aimed at last-mile transport of goods loaded off bigger trucks into congested cities and through tough terrain to remote parts of the country.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
The Ashok Leyland Dost is powered by a 1,478cc three-cylinder turbocharged diesel common rail engine with outputs of 44kW and 158Nm, paired with a fivespeed manual transmission feeding the rear wheels.
It has claimed fuel consumption figures of 6.1l/100km (unladen) and 7.5l/100km (fully laden), providing a range of more than 600km from the 40l fuel tank when unladen.
Ashok Leyland Southern Africa brand head Francois van Eeden said: “Considering the tough economic conditions in Southern Africa and escalating finance and operating cost for farmers, small businesses and fleet operators, the Ashok Leyland Dost with its class-leading fuel consumption, impressive load-carrying capacity, competitive pricing and generous warranty presents outstanding value for money.”
Mounted on a sturdy ladder frame chassis with six cross members, the front suspension is rigid with leaf spring suspension and double-acting shock absorbers. The rear suspension comprises semi-elliptic leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers.
A long wheelbase of 2,350mm ensures stability on uneven roads. Ground clearance is 177mm, approach angle 19°, ramp over angle 23.5° and departure angle 22° to help manage inner-city speed humps and undulating rural terrain. The bakkie features sturdy latches and cargo tie-down hooks and rides on 14-inch commercial tyres on steel rims.
The Dost is equipped with power steering, but this is a workhorse, so don’t expect any creature comforts.
The two individual seats are covered in durable brown and beige PVC with parcel space in between. The bakkie has a digital instrument cluster, cellphone holder, 12V power socket, headlamp adjustment and a lockable cubbyhole.
Pricing
● Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Chassis Cab — R229,999
● Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Fixed Sides Deck — R249,999
● Ashok Leyland Dost 1.5 TD Drop Sides Deck — R254,999