Tata Motors once again ushered in a new era in the Indian automobile industry, in keeping with its pioneering tradition, by unveiling its new range of world standard trucks. In their power, speed, carrying capacity, operating economy and trims, they will introduce new benchmarks in India and match the best in the world in performance at a lower life-cycle cost.
The range comprises multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers, and special application vehicles. Besides India, they will also gradually be introduced in South Korea, South Africa, the SAARC countries and the Middle East.
Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, has said, “The developing infrastructure in India makes it possible for transporters to reap the benefit of trucks with higher power, speed and carrying capacity. The new range from Tata Motors will meet those needs. It will also help us penetrate international markets more effectively and competitively.”
The managing director of Tata Motors, Mr. Ravi Kant, has said, “The range is an output of collaboration across the Tata Motors family, supplemented by inputs from partners across the world. This approach has enabled us to harness appropriate expertise and develop relevant products faster than ever before.”
The product has been jointly developed by Tata Motors and its two subsidiaries, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company in South Korea and the Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc in the UK. The company has harnessed the best of inputs and technologies – in styling, engines, transmission, suspension, chassis frames, fabrication and dies — from partners based in countries like Italy, Germany, Sweden, the US, Japan and South Korea.
Variants & Specifications
The range offers a higher power-to-weight ratio translating into faster turnaround time, better reliability and durability, and resulting in higher revenue generation for the transporter than is the norm now. The versatility of the range meets several needs:
• Tractor-trailers and multi-axle trucks for long distance transportation
• Rigid trucks for short distance distribution
• Tippers, mixers, cranes for construction and mining
• Special applications like reefers, bulkers, and tip-trailers
Capacity: The capacity of the trucks can be from 10 tonnes to 75 tonnes Gross Combination Weight (GCW), to meet a wide mix of usages.
Powertrains: The powertrain option stretches from 150 PS to 560 PS, with suitable engines, transmissions and axles of different makes. Additional features on offer include automated transmissions and air suspension.
Vehicle tracking: Every truck will have Global Positioning System for effective vehicle tracking as standard fitment.
Comfortable cabin options: The spacious air-conditioned cabs come in three different lengths (day, rest and sleeper), three different heights (flat, low-dome and high-dome roof) and in two different widths. While there are two trim levels, features include reclining seats, adjustable steering wheel, seat belts and arm rests (for both the driver and co-driver) for driver comfort and safety. These features are designed to induce longer and more trips and safer driving.
Safety & Emission: The range is designed to meet stringent safety norms of the markets that it will be sold in. In terms of emissions, the range is Euro III and Euro IV complaint, while being Euro V ready.
Tata Motors has made an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore in developing the world truck. The new trucks will have a capacity that ranges from 10 to 75 tons and is expected to be priced at a premium compared to its current range. “This is meant to be for transforming the way we do trucking in the country,” said Prakash Telang, executive director for Tata’s commercial vehicles business.
The company will not immediately phase out the current range of trucks. It is believed that at a later stage, the company may also export the World Trucks to other countries. The range of trucks includes multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers, and special application vehicles.
“Besides India, we will also gradually be introducing (World Trucks) in South Korea, South Africa, the SAARC countries and the Middle East,” the company said in a statement.
This move to introduce new range of trucks is viewed as the company’s attempt to transform itself into a global auto power. Tata Motors in April sold 37,462 vehicles in India and exported 1,261 units.
Menawhile the the Tata Motors is negotiating with the Jharkhand government to acquire 300 acres of land to set up a vendor park on the lines of the one in Pantnagar (Uttar Pradesh), a senior company official said. Such a facility would help vendors keep their operational costs low, he said.
Source: Tata Motors,Economic Times