Leyland Motors Limited was originally founded in Leyland, Yorkshire as the Lancashire Steam Motor Company in 1896 by the Sumner and Spurrier families. As the Lancashire Steam Motor Company, they produced the likes of steam-powered lawn mowers, steam-powered vans and steam wagons. Their first vehicle, a 1.5 tonne capacity steam-powered van, won a silver medal at the Royal Agricultural Society of England trials in 1897. They built on this success through their production of the first steam bus model and the first ever export order for a steam mail van for Sri Lanka (then Ceylon).

In 1904, they produced their first petrol-powered vehicle nicknamed ‘the Pig’ followed by the first Leyland bus to be used in London. It was after Lancashire Steam Motor Company’s absorption of steam wagon builder Coulthards of Preston in 1907 that they became known as Leyland Motors Ltd. 1912 saw Leyland move into the military market with their production of the ‘RAF-type’ vehicle and by the outbreak of the first World War, Leyland had greatly expanded. Leyland acquired the Kingston-upon-Thames former aircraft factory soon after the war; serving the purpose of reconditioning 3000 ex-WD RAF-type Leylands.

In 1920, they produced the Leyland Eight luxury touring car, a model most notably driven by J.G. Parry-Thomas a former land speed record holder who later died when the car overturned whilst making an attempt on the land speed record. The 1920s also saw the production of legendary models such as the “Leyland Zoo” designs.

During the second World War, Leyland was involved in producing military vehicles and continued to do so prior to the war with the production of the Centurion tank. Leyland also acquired several different companies after the second World War, including Albion Motors, Standard Triumph and Rover Cars. The 1950s also saw Leyland Motors acquire Scammell Lorries and Albion Motors; becoming a major supplier to international markets. 1955 saw the manufacture of commercial vehicles commence in India and were to be branded as Ashok Leyland. Donald Stokes took over as head of the company in 1962 and during this time it grew extensively. In 1964, they produced the ‘Ergomatic’ cab which was to prove a significant contribution to British truck design. In 1968, Leyland Motors merged with British Motor Holdings (BMH) to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC). As BMH was a product of an earlier merger between several large companies including Pressed Steel Company, Jaguar, Daimler and Morris, the BLMC was essentially a large conglomeration.

From the 1970s onwards, the BLMC were to face turbulent times. As a result of financial difficulties they were nationalised in 1975; becoming known as British Leyland (BL) and split into four divisions. BL became known as Rover Group from 1986 and, in 1987, the equity stake in Ashok Leyland was sold. This was to prove harmful as BL were particularly dependent on the production of outsourced engines as production of their own 98-series was in decline. The 1986 closure of Bedford Vehicles' heavy truck plant further harmed Leyland, as they had been planning on selling axles and other components to the General Motors subsidiary. Bus operations were sold and bought by Volvo Buses in 1988. The Leyland Trucks division was eventually acquired by US truck manufacturer Paccar with Leyland Trucks currently operating in North West England manufacturing around 14,000 trucks per year. In India, Ashok Leyland continues to thrive as a lead in the heavy transportation sector in India.