Three2Tango » Other

Tata Prima Trucks

Dileep — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:27:00 +0000

Tata Prima is a range of heavy trucks produced by Tata Motors, and it was first introduced in 2008 as the company’s ‘global’ truck. The Prima range includes tractor-trailers, rigid trucks, multi-axle trucks and tippers. Tata aims to provide fully built solutions, like it has already done in the case of buses. Its cabin – spacious and airconditioned – is equipped with adjustable steering wheels, reclining seats, arm rests for the driver’s comfort, and also sleepers to make long-distance travel easy. These features have been incorporated for the sake of “longer trips and more of trips” – to operate non-stop for long hours and also to cover a distance of over 700 kilometres a day. The Prima 4028-S comes with the Global Positioning System (GPS), for vehicle- tracking, as a standard fitment. It is with features like these that the Tatas claim that the Prima is a ‘global’ truck, at par technologically with the most modern trucks from round the world.

The Prima 4028 S, is a 40-tonne 266-PS (Cummins ISBE engine) tractor with a 9-speed ZF transmission, and a matching trailer with new generation brakes, ABS and specialised axles for heavy duty and high speed application. The tractor-trailer is ideal for carrying freight like steel, cement and containers up to 40.2 tonnes. The driving comforts enable the vehicle to operate non-stop for long hours and cover over 700 km each day, thereby offering faster turnaround. The Prima 4028 S tractor has been priced at Rs. 21 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) and that with the trailer is Rs. 31 lakhs. The Mahindra Navistar and the Tata Prima trucks are expected to compete against each other in the M&HCV segment.

Mahindra Navistar Trucks

Dileep — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:12:27 +0000

Mahindra & Mahindra and Navistar International(of the United States) have joined forces to from the Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd, formerly called Mahindra International. This will be an India based company, which will manufacture the entire spectrum of commercial vehicles ranging from 3.5 to 49 tons GVW/GCW. The manufacturing facility is set up at Chakan near Pune. The products of MNAL are currently sold under the trademark of Cabking, Loadking and Tourister. The cost of the joint development came to Rs 650 crore. Of the Rs 4,000 crore that had been invested in Navistar’s plant at Chakan, Rs 2,500 crore was part of the venture. Though none of it’s models have gone on sale yet, the Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd have unveiled their 25, 31, 40 and 49-tonne truck models. The trucks unveiled were MN25 Tipper, MN25, MN31, MN40 & MN49. It is believed that the trucks would go on sale starting April 2010. The company also plans to manufacture buses as well in the future. Here are the specifications of the MN25 model truck :

Specifications:

Type	Utility Vehicle
Application	For Goods Transport
Engine	MaxxForce 7.2 litre Power: 210 Bhp @ 2200 rpm Gearbox: 6 Forward/1 Reverse
Security Features	Brakes – Full air S-Cam, 10 bar system Steering – Tilt & Telescopic power steering GPS – Optional
Comfort and Convenience	AC – Optional Power Steering Cabin – Day, Single Sleeper, Double Sleeper, Cowl options Fog Lamps, Tachometer
Other Specifications	Wheel & Tyres – 10X20 – 16PR (Optional : Radial) 6 Speed Manual gear transmission Bumpers
Price	Not Announced

TVS King Auto Rickshaw

Dileep — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:05:43 +0000

TVS Motors have entered the three-wheeler segment, with the launch of it’s auto rickshaw called the TVS King. In a bid to capture a share of the growing domestic and export market for 3-wheelers, the company will manufacture both petrol and CNG-powered autorickshaws.

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TVS King comes with a 200 cc two-stroke low-friction engine. The company has promised a good mileage and a higher capacity engine, with the peak torque at lower RPMs. Fuel-injection technology being integrated, the fuel-efficiency should indeed be impressive. There is also the option of an electric start (ordinary version – hand start), albeit at a slightly higher price. Twin-headlamps, futuristic design, bottle-holder, magazine-holder, more leg-space for passengers and driver are some of the impressive features of the King. Also, the ric is priced very competitively, at a shade below it’s competitors. The price of the king will vary between Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,30,000. A 4-stroke version of the king is also in the pipeline.

The company is launching the King in a very gradual manner, as sales have started in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat. The response, so far, has been pretty good. Since the 3 wheeler market has been a monopoly of a single manufacturer, we believe TVS can do well if they can roll-out a descent product. Bajaj Auto currently leads the three-wheeler market in the country, followed by Mahindra and Piaggio. Recently, Honda India also announced its intention to enter the three-wheeler business. So, it is indeed a good move by TVS to foray into this segment of the Indian automobile industry. Let’s wait and find out whether the ‘King’ can rule the 3 wheeler segment.