According to a report in the Indian press Ashok Leyland has co-operated with the Chinese manufacturer Beiqi Foton during the development of the new low-floor CNG-powered buses for Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), which were ordered as part of this companys fleet modernisation program.

DTC has placed an order with Ashok Leyland for 875 low floor  buses worth 4.8 billion Indian Rupees (almost US $100 million). Supply of 350 air-conditioned and 525 non-air-conditioned buses will commence by mid 2009 and will be completed by September '09. These buses will, according to the press report, have a basic chassis frame and suspension system from Chinese origin, while the engine will be supplied by Cummins and the gearbox by Allison. Purely Indian are the body panels, supplied by Azad, and the board electronics. 

Powered by 230 hp engines and fitted with automatic transmission, the new ultra low entry (ULE) buses will have a floor height of 390 mm, for step-less entry.  The chassis and the body for the fully-built buses will be assembled at Ashok Leylands Alwar Plant, which has to date supplied over 3,500 CNG bus chassis. In order to be sure that the buses fully comply with the specifications as laid down by DTC, particularly the body will go through rigorous tests, like 336 hours of salt spray to test the anti-corrosion features.