Ashok Leyland revives Taurus, Hippo in heavy-duty truck reset
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Ashok Leyland has reintroduced two of its legacy heavy-duty truck nameplates—Taurus and Hippo—as part of a broader refresh of its Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (MHCV) portfolio, signalling a renewed focus on high-horsepower tippers and tractor-trailers used in mining, infrastructure and construction.
The revived Taurus will anchor the company’s high-powered tipper range, while Hippo has been positioned in the tractor segment. Both models are built on Ashok Leyland’s AVTR modular truck platform, which allows multiple configurations across applications and operating conditions.
The vehicles were unveiled by Ashok Leyland Managing Director and CEO Shenu Agarwal, alongside senior executives, at an event attended by customers and dealers. Bookings and deliveries will be routed through the company’s dealership network across India.
Focus on productivity and operating economics
The new product lines are powered by Ashok Leyland’s A-Series six-cylinder engines and are aimed at improving productivity and operating economics for fleet operators working in demanding environments.
According to the company, the platform enables improved uptime, fuel efficiency and driver comfort—key factors in sectors where vehicles operate under high loads and harsh terrain.
“These trucks are designed for heavy-duty applications such as mining and large infrastructure projects,” Agarwal said. “They are engineered to deliver higher productivity and durability while meeting current operating requirements.”
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Demand outlook and policy support
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch, Agarwal said the government should consider incentives for scrapping older trucks in the upcoming Union Budget to encourage fleet owners to replace ageing vehicles with newer, more efficient models. Such a move, he said, could help stimulate fresh demand while also addressing environmental concerns linked to older commercial vehicles.
The company noted that fleet owners increasingly recognise the productivity benefits of newer trucks but often require initial financial support to transition from older units. “GST 2.0 has already provided one trigger by boosting consumption-led freight demand. Another could be a well-designed scrappage incentive scheme,” Agarwal said.
Targeting fast-growing MHCV segments
Sanjeev Kumar, president of the MHCV business at Ashok Leyland, said the company was reviving the two brands to address fast-growing segments within the commercial vehicle market. “Tippers and tractors are seeing strong demand driven by infrastructure activity. These applications require robustness, reliability and ease of operation,” he said, adding that the new range focuses on improving component life, reducing driver fatigue and enabling faster turnaround times.
Legacy nameplates, updated for current needs
The Taurus and Hippo nameplates have a long history in India’s commercial vehicle market. Hippo was a widely used heavy hauler from the 1980s through the early 2000s, while Taurus earned recognition as India’s first multi-axle truck and became closely associated with high-load operations, according to the company.
Ashok Leyland said the new-generation models retain the core attributes associated with the legacy brands while incorporating updated drivetrains, reinforced chassis and improved cabin ergonomics. The reintroduction forms part of the company’s effort to strengthen its MHCV portfolio as infrastructure spending and freight demand continue to drive growth in the heavy-duty truck segment.