Ashok Leyland invests in Optare regeneration

Ashok Leyland has made a ‘multi-million pound’ investment in Optare. Branded as the bus manufacturer’s ‘Customer focused business excellence program’, the scheme is intended to address business capability and product portfolio to deliver manufacturing improvements and reinforce the aftermarket support network. The company’s strategic three-year customer service commitment plan is aimed at engaging stakeholders and business partners in the facilitation of significant change delivering business excellence. This programme has already started and is intended to see the business build a ‘lean and efficient’ organisation, which will deliver quality buses on time with the appropriate aftermarket support.

Ashok Leyland Senior Vice President Global Bus, Thyagarajan Venkataraman, said, ‘We have listened to the voice of the loyal Optare customers and are delighted to support Optare’s evolution and long term commitment to the bus industry. Ashok Leyland and Optare’s new management team have aspirations for Optare to become our Global Centre of Excellence for buses.’