Company overview
Leyland Motors Limited, originally the Lancashire Steam Motor Company founded in 1896, was an English vehicle manufacturer specializing in lorries, buses, and trolleybuses. The company began with steam-powered lawn mowers and evolved into producing steam wagons, followed by petrol-engined vehicles. In 1907, it acquired Coulthards of Preston and expanded its operations with a second factory in Chorley. By 1920, Leyland produced the luxury touring car, the Leyland Eight, and later the Trojan Utility Car. During World War II, it manufactured tanks like the Cromwell and continued military production with the Centurion. Post-war, Leyland formed British United Traction with AEC and produced buses such as the Atlantean. In 1960, it acquired Triumph and Rover, contributing to the formation of British Leyland Motor Corporation. British Leyland subsequently became BL and then Rover Group. Following the decline of British automotive manufacturing, Leyland Trucks continued as a subsidiary of Paccar, now producing trucks under the Leyland name and marketed as DAF in many markets. Ashok Leyland, established in India in 1960 and later acquired by the Hinduja Group, continues to operate as a major manufacturer of buses, trucks, and defence vehicles.
