Clearly today's the day for the return of some long-missed old friends on Biglorryblog including Bert DeVuyst in Belgium who has very kindly tipped me off to the fact that there's new range of trucks from Tata, the giant Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer www.tatamotors.com...
And as Bert says: "Their new range is a huge leap forward compared to their old trucks. I don't know who did the design on the cabs, but that bloke most have been looking at some European designs!" BLB concurs and reckons that they look rather smart too. That cab is certainly attarctive - there's a touch of Scania, MAN TGX, Iveco Stralis and ERF ECX in there somewhere I reckon! What do you think? Meanwhile, click through here for the full press release from Tata and some more pictures of the new range!
This story broke on the 28th May: "Tata Motors today 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 from 10 to 75 tonnes gross weight and with engine options from 150-560hp. Besides India, they will also gradually be introduced in South Korea, South Africa, the SAARC countries and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Ratan N. Tata, chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, tells Biglorryblog: "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." Tata Motor MD Ravi Kant, adds: "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."
BLB can also tell you that the new products have 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 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," it says.
Additional features on the new Tatas include auto boxes, GPS vehicle tracing as standard on every truck, 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.
What's more the new Euro III and Euro IV complaint, with Euro V engines "ready".
With over 4 million Tata vehicles running in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also claiming to be the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer. For more information check out www.tatamotors.com and my thanks to BDV for alerting me to this terrific new range from India.
Manufacturers of construction equipment are being particularly hard hit by the current record prices of commodities, such as steel, oil, iron ore and rubber. We have a great industry though..
BLB,
As well as the press shots you've got, we've also got some video of the new Tata Trucks which you can find here:
http://www.tachoblog.com/news/tata-motors-usher-era-tachoblog/
Regards,
Tachoblog.
Is that the current Isuzu cab, or a copy thereof ?
A bit japanese in appearance perhaps but a stylish cabover just the same IMHO.
Nicely bulled up bright red tipper - pity they could only afford a tatty old loader with track plates missing to fill it up!
Bit cheeky of tata to be copying the likes of scania' iveco' m.a.n' hope i dont c one in the uk lol ugly thing ant it .
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work.
interesting post! thanks for sharing!
R these vehicles are introduced in our country?
great stuff, truly world class. wat ever mix it may be ( san, man, merc, ... ) its indian TATA now ,! congrats .