Leyland Deere, the 50:50 joint venture between Ashok Leyland and the US-based agriculture machinery maker John Deere, has launched the 435 backhoe loader (BHL) in Andhra Pradesh. This was first launched in Tamil Nadu in November last year. P Ravishankar, Chief Executive Officer Leyland Deere, said that since south is a major market for the company, it will expand aggressively in the southern states in the first phase. By next financial year, the machine will go pan-India. The backhoe loader, manufactured at Ashok Leyland?s plant in Gumm?idipoondi near Chennai, would also have more cabin space for the operator and better safety features. The venture has planned three lines, first of which is ready with a capacity to manufacture about 8,000 to 9,000 units per annum. Initially, the focus is on backhoe loaders. John Deere is also developing their four-wheel drive wheel loader useful for coal handling and rail wagon applications..