Ashok Leyland Dost History

The Dost ('friend' in Hindi/Urdu) was unveiled on 29 March 2011 as the first product of the joint venture Ashok Leyland had formed with Nissan Motor Company in 2007. Powered by a 58 hp three-cylinder turbocharged common-rail diesel engine and rated for a 1.25-tonne payload, it targeted the rapidly expanding sub-two-tonne last-mile delivery segment that Ashok Leyland had not previously addressed.

The Dost's body and some underpinnings drew on Nissan's C22 Vanette architecture — most visible in its door design — while the powertrain and chassis were adapted for Indian road conditions and regulatory requirements. Manufactured at Ashok Leyland's Hosur plant, the Dost was offered in three trim levels, ranging from a base version with manual steering to a higher specification with air conditioning and dual-tone interior.