The flagship brand of the Hinduja Group, Ashok Leyland -- described as the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India and the fourth largest bus manufacturer in the world -- says it will triple the manufacturing capacity of its UAE bus factory, Ashok Leyland (UAE) LLC, in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).

The brand's state-of-the-art vehicle factory in RAK is a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and is said to be the only certified local bus factory in the UAE and GCC.

At a ceremony marking the expansion and laying the foundation ceremony of a new design and service training center at its RAK plant by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Hinduja group company said the manufacturing capacity will be raised to 6,000 vehicles a year from the current 2,000.

Vinod K. Dasari, MD, Ashok Leyland, said: "We are honored to have Sheikh Saud at the groundbreaking ceremony to expand our manufacturing facilities in Ras Al Khaimah. This plant is key and with Ashok Leyland's ambitious plans for Africa, we foresee further expansion." Dasari said Ashok Leyland is making a fresh investment of $ 10 million in the RAK plant to expand production of current models and introduce new models into the regional market, which will include midi buses and trucks.

In a statement, the company said the establishment of the design and service training center and capacity expansion signified the enhanced commitment of Ashok Leyland of the Hinduja Group in the UAE and the GCC.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan, minister of culture and knowledge development, G. P. Hinduja, Dheeraj G. Hinduja and other members of the Hinduja family along with the senior management of Ashok Leyland.