WESTERN Auto Company Ltd, the sole distributor of Ashok Leyland in Saudi Arabia, formally launched Ashok Leyland's new range of world class school buses that meets all safety requirements as per Saudi standards at the Riyadh Showroom in a ceremony. The event was attended by Kamal A. J, CEO; Sadakathullah S.A.S., Resident Director and company's top management. Western Auto Company Ltd, Western Auto Group of UAE has its presence in the Kingdom for more than 35 years and is the authorized sole distributor for Ashok Leyland Buses and Trucks in KSA. Arshad Yusuf Pathan, Global Head – Marketing & BD, welcomed all guests. "Ashok Leyland, the fourth largest bus & heavy vehicles manufacturer globally, market leader in staff transport category in KSA, is well known and proven for its quality, comfort and safety. It has garnered 85% of the UAE school bus market", said Viswa Kumar, GM, Sales. "Ashok Leyland buses, most preferred by Saudi Aramco contractors for its lowest total cost of ownership and best re-sale value, continue to leverage its strength in KSA. The company is poised to introduce more variants and new models in the coming months to further enhance its presence in the kingdom. In line with the strategy, the newly launched school bus in KSA will meet the stringent Saudi Arabian school bus standards in line with TATWEER school bus specifications," added Viswa. Sadakkathullah said "we have won customers confidence through our hard work establishing dedicated sales & service networks throughout the major cities in the Kingdom - Jubail, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu. Having begun operations in the Kingdom in 2007, Ashok Leyland has made great improvements in its vehicle quality, performance and looks in the recent years and it has been our constant endeavor to raise the bar to the expectations of our valued customers in terms of providing world class products. I can proudly say that we have made great progress in all and now the launch of school buses in Saudi Arabia is just another step towards bringing world class products to our customers." Kamal A. J, CEO of Western Auto Company Ltd mentioned that setting up Ashok Leyland's strong infrastructure in the Kingdom was an important move. "The strategy of Western Auto Company is to move closer to our esteemed customers instead of customers coming to us. In future, Saudi Arabia being huge market, we are considering to set up Ashok Leyland manufacturing plant the Kingdom. We envision the future where we see Ashok Leyland school buses in all streets of Saudi Arabia", said Kamal. "Western Auto already has Ashok Leyland showrooms conforming to Ashok Leyland's standards in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh are supported by a strong team of sales professionals to meet the customer requirements with qualified service staffs in workshops, mobile service units, extensive service and spare parts facilities. Ashok Leyland has been successful in meeting the growing demand for industrial transport solutions in cities like Jubail, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Yanbu, Rabigh and Ras Tanura," added Kamal. To provide exemplary customer service, Western Auto has five state of the art service centers in Dammam, Jeddah, Jubail, Riyadh and Yanbu. Karthik Ganesan, Regional Manager - MENA & International Sales, made a presentation on school bus indicating important, salient features including fire extinguisher, stop arm, warning lamps, fire proof Rexene seats, 3-point seat belts, rear emergency door/window pane with hammer & 2 roof hatch provided for emergency exit. The AC provided is a separate 4-cylinder unit with power of 35,000 Kcal/Hr that exceeds the 30,000 Kcal/Hr required as per Saudi standards. He also thanked Western Auto CEO Kamal A. J and the Resident Director Sadakkathullah for their commitment and investment in the Kingdom. Abdullah Ali Al Ghamdi and Fahd Al Muatairi cut the inaugural ribbons. Pathan said "it is a new era for Ashok Leyland as a Company – as it develops new products, and a new era for Western Auto – as it reinvents itself in dealerships. This school bus is a new product, a new story and Inshaa Allah a new success story in the making. We congratulate Ashok Leyland for giving Western Auto one more wonderful product that we shall be Proud To Associate with."
