Dubai - MENA Herald: Ashok Leyland – the flagship company of the renowned Hinduja Group and fourth largest manufacturer of buses globally – today unveiled its latest model known as the Oyster Bus, designed and manufactured in the UAE, and distributed in partnership with Swaidan Trading, part of Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.
The Oyster bus was unveiled at Ashok Leyland’s new sales, service and spare parts (SSS) facility in Al Quoz. The facility itself which was established in partnership with Al Naboodah Group Enterprises was also launched at the event.
The launch of the Oyster Bus and the new SSS centre is the result of long-term UAE investment by Ashok Leyland in building locally-based, world-class manufacturing facilities and after-sales support networks, and designing solutions tailor-made for local market demands and requirements.
Ashok Leyland’s CEO & Managing Director Vinod K. Dasari joined the launch ceremony in Dubai -
“With more than a million passengers travelling in Ashok Leyland buses every day, this facility is dedicated to our customers to increase engagement and ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. We will have an entirely new product portfolio of trucks and buses in the GCC within the next 2-3 years. Leading this portfolio expansion is Oyster, a premium mid-sized bus equipped with best-in-class features for maximum safety and comfort,” Mr Dasari said.
Ajit Kumar, Group Executive - Business Development, Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, said the launch of the Oyster Bus sets a new benchmark in bus transportation in the GCC.
“Ashok Leyland and Al Naboodah Group Enterprises are serious players in the public bus transport sector. Working together for over 35 years, the partners have become the largest supplier of buses in the UAE, and the launch of Oyster will help to maintain this market position,” Mr Kumar said.
Certified to ensure that passengers remain safe in case of any rollover accidents, the Oyster School bus variant is RTA & DOT compliant, with inclusions such as the ‘Child Left Behind’ safety button. Located at the rear end of the bus, this has to be deactivated by the driver before shutting down the engine, thus ensuring that no child is accidentally left behind.
Oyster comes with 33 fixed seats, spacious and premium interiors with clear aisle space, a fully flat floor with a hump-free saloon, and ample legroom to allow passengers to travel in luxury. “We at Ashok Leyland have always believed in setting new benchmarks in everything we do. Oyster is testimony to this commitment. As GCC’s first rollover and frontal crash complaint bus, Oyster is the safest way to travel and make the on-road journey stress-free.,” Mr Dasari finished.