Rooted in legacy and driven by innovation, Vignesh Automobile, established in 2016, has launched a dedicated Ashok Leyland service center with an eye toward transforming the commercial vehicle service experience. The move marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Vignesh TAT brand, which has been a trusted name in the automotive industry.
“After I completed my MBA in London, I felt a deep drive to expand our operations beyond just manufacturing buses and trucks. The natural progression was to move into service—where customer satisfaction is built every single day,” said Vignesh Marimuthu Rajaram, Managing Director of Vignesh Automobile.
From Heritage to High-Tech
Rooted in a third-generation legacy, Vignesh’s leap into service support represents a transition from traditional manufacturing to technologically driven customer service. This transition materialized with the acquisition of an Official Independent Workshop (OIM) license from Ashok Leyland in June last year, culminating in the launch of the new service facility.
The facility is positioned to resolve critical challenges faced by fleet operators, especially in the passenger transport sector, where delays due to vehicle issues can have significant operational and customer impacts.
“The inspiration came from real-world issues—on-road breakdowns and delayed diagnostics. With today’s tech like i-Alert and EDC scan tools, we can now pinpoint faults in seconds. This is the future of servicing, and we’re proud to be leading it,” Vignesh explained.
A Facility Built for Efficiency
Spanning over 19,500 square feet, the new workshop is a well-oiled machine built for precision and scalability. It houses eight dedicated bays, a specialized pit bay for under-chassis work, and a full suite of advanced tools sourced directly from Ashok Leyland.
“We use special diagnostic tools, exclusive to authorized Ashok Leyland centers. Our unique advantage lies in integrating EDC, i-Alert, and smart scan tools. This allows us to identify and fix issues faster than traditional workshops ever could,” he said.
The centre currently employs over 34 skilled professionals, including L3-certified mechanics trained directly by Ashok Leyland. Recruitment began months before the facility launch to ensure staff were ready from day one.
With a strong presence in both passenger and goods transport segments, the service centre was designed to reduce vehicle turnaround time, particularly for long-haul routes. “We serve buses, tippers, LCVs, and heavy-load trucks. When a bus runs 1500 kilometers round-trip, even a small delay can ripple into bigger losses. That’s why we do daily checkups—filters, oils, diagnostics—all to ensure they’re trip-ready,” he said.
Ashok Leyland’s robust spare parts supply chain also plays a crucial role. Their VOR (Vehicle Off Road) order mechanism ensures that critical components can be delivered within 4–5 hours, minimizing wait times for customers.
With the EV and CNG revolution already underway, Vignesh Automobile is not just preparing for the future—they’re building it. Training for electric vehicle servicing is already in progress, with specific focus on Ashok Leyland’s Switch Mobility vehicles that run up to 400 km on a single charge.
“We’re investing heavily in training for EVs, CNG, and even hydrogen vehicles. Our goal is to be ahead of the curve—ready to service whatever new tech comes off the production line,” he stated. All technicians undergo rigorous training at Ashok Leyland’s official training centres in Chennai, progressing through L0 to L3 certification levels.
Value-Added Services and Customer-Centric Approach
Beyond repairs, Vignesh Automobile offers on-site service campaigns for large fleet operators, performing scheduled maintenance at the customer’s location to reduce logistics and downtime. “We’ve tied up with major fleet operators and go to their yards for servicing. It saves them time and money, and we make sure they run smoothly. It’s a win-win,” he shared.
The service centre also ensures transparent and seamless processing for warranty claims, working closely with Ashok Leyland to pre-emptively resolve known issues. This proactive approach has already led to significant customer satisfaction improvements.
“When we had issues with the 13.5-meter bus crown, Leyland didn’t wait for complaints. They replaced 16 crowns in one batch based on feedback. That’s the kind of OEM relationship we value—and so do our customers,” said Vignesh.
With a long-term vision to establish 20 service centres across Tamil Nadu by 2030, Vignesh Automobile is eyeing expansion in high-potential regions like Theni, Madurai, Erode, and Coimbatore. “Our goal is simple—by 2030, we want to be everywhere our customers need us. Our roots may be traditional, but our growth is driven by innovation and responsiveness,” Vignesh emphasized.
As Vignesh Automobile steps boldly into this new chapter, their commitment to innovation, service excellence, and customer trust marks them as a rising leader in the commercial vehicle service landscape. “Vignesh Automobile is like a newborn today. In five years, I want it to earn its MBA—not just in scale, but in how we master the market and serve with pride,” he concluded.
Always On, Always Ready
The workshop is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and also offers dedicated roadside breakdown support. For immediate assistance, fleet operators can call 90494 86666. Customers can also conveniently schedule service appointments online at vigneshautomobile.com. The facility is located on GST Road, Guduvanchery, Chennai.
