Ashok Leyland is planning to manufacture its UK based brand of Optare electric vehicles in India in the near future. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland Limited, shared this information during the visit of Dr. Vince Cable MP, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, to Ashok Leyland's Head Quarters and later its plant at Ennore in Chennai.

Dasari said: "We are the world's 4th largest manufacturer of buses and the largest provider of electric vehicles. Through Optare's facility in the UK, we are well-placed to help reduce the carbon footprint of the world. With the continued support from the Government of UK, we hope to grow our operations in UK and also bring this technology to India. In line with the honorable Prime Minister's ‘Make in India' initiative, we are hopeful of manufacturing these electric vehicles in India, in the near future."

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Cable said, "Electric vehicles will be increasingly important in reducing the impact of global warming. This is truly an example of the shared importance the UK and India place in developing the next generation of electric vehicles as well as advanced manufacturing."

Ashok Leyland's manufacturing and R&D facility in UK is part of a long-standing UK automotive manufacturing tradition. Overall vehicle production in UK is forecast to exceed two million by 2017.
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