Ashok Leyland Partner: Good enough for last-mile delivery?

Partner is the second prominent product from the Ashok Leyland LCV segment. The Dost made a name for itself. Is Partner equally compelling that of its sibling? We find out.

Ashok Leyland today is not only a formidable player in the medium and heavy commercial vehicles but also firmly established in the light commercial vehicle segment (LCV) with strong product line-up.

While it is debatable that the company joined the LCV party a little late, however, when it ultimately did get in 2011 with the introduction of Dost, it made an instantaneous mark in the segment. The Dost LCV since then has been one of the most recognized and top-selling LCV with several variants catering to diverse sets of customers.

The success of Dost prompted Ashok Leyland to further expand into the fast-growing LCV segment with more products. The Partner range of LCV first launched in 2014 become another impressive product in its portfolio, receiving overwhelming customer approval. Since its launch, Partner has received several updates, and the BS6 is likely to hit the dealership soon.

Partner is not only an urban truck but fits equally well into both semi-urban and rural areas taking on any cargo and terrain effortlessly. Like its rest of the portfolio, what has helped Ashok Leyland in developing the Partner platform is its in-depth understanding of the Indian logistics and transport industry.

What makes the Partner tick?

Ashok Leyland has designed and developed this promising LCV with extensive research, customer feedback and identifying the customer pain-points as well as the requirements from a last-mile delivery truck. This is quite clear with Ashok Leyland blending the Partner with superior load body, excellent mileage, and complemented by high-quality aggregates, segment-leading comfort and several load-body options. The goal of Ashok Leyland is to make this truck most suitable for variety of applications in the last mile delivery including daily transport needs, industrial and business requirements. Partner is equally appealing aesthetically, as the truck gets a new design language with an impressive look and feel.

Let’s look at the key features and aggregates.

Contemporary LCV

The Partner comes in a contemporary cabin, exceptionally built quality, and fuel-efficient engine with value for money truck at affordable cost aimed at small transporters. A gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 6 T and 7.2 T, the Partner is a combination of higher performance and productivity which is the most important criteria for a customer to buy an LCV.

It gets a superior European quality cabin; the interior is functional and top-quality. The tiltable cabin, low loading platform height and runner mounted load body enables service accessibility, customization and a wide choice of load body options. The turning radius and heavy-duty axles in the Partner intended at demanding operating requirements.

Driver Friendly

Small transporters and fleet operators see driver safety as the biggest concern, and they are willing to pay more for a safer truck. Partner score high on the safety department with the most comfortable and robust cabin aimed at driver productivity. The interior ergonomics consists of dual-tone dashboard, moulded roof and door trims, tilt-able power steering, adjustable driver seat, windshield defogger, fog lamp, a lockable glove compartment, and 3-point seat belt. While AC is an optional feature.

The Partner also gets a braking system with vacuum assist and load Conscious Regulating Valve (LCRV) for greater safety. The parabolic front suspension and semi-elliptical rear suspension, along with double-acting shock absorbers on both the axles, make an effortless driving, no matter the terrain.

Combines power and mileage

Like any truck, mileage is key for a truck buyer, and it often the essential factor to make a purchase decision of truck. Partner gets the ZD30 turbo intercooled common rail diesel engine comes with greater fuel-mileage and higher turnaround time, and power of 118HP with 322 Nm of torque is enough for carrying higher cargo load. The engine gets a 5-speed fully synchromesh gearbox with overdrive function is the best combination of power and higher flat torque.

The Partner comes in two configurations of 4 Tyre and 6 Tyre with different GVW and payload to cover a wide range of cargo applications for the customers. The 4 Tyre truck gets 10ft and 14 ft load bodies and the 6 Tyre comes with 11 ft ,14ft and 17 ft body options. The payload ranges between 3.3T to 4.1T as per the cargo load body and tyre configuration.  

Ashok Leyland has been successful in packing a complete truck with a lot on offer for a truck buyer looking for a modern last-mile delivery truck. The company is also ready with its BS6 Partner which will be available at the dealership and the prices will be out soon. Keep watching this space.