[GTO]

High Points

- To say that I'm a fan of the 407 would be an understatement. I am also privileged enough to have driven it for a good number of kms. The Tata 407 - launched in 1986 - destroyed (read = DESTROYED) the import LCVs of the time, including Eicher-Mitsubishi, DCM Toyota, Swaraj Mazda and Allwyn-Nissan. How? The 407 was cheaper, had a nationwide network and could handle overloading without breaking into a sweat. The factory warranty is valid for 300,000 kms!! Several case studies have been written in B-Schools (Indian & Int'l) on this iconic truck. Read them up.

- The 407 has 70% market share in its category of commercial vehicles. Since the time of launch, this truck has sold over 5 lakh copies.

- About 55% of its owners are first-time CV users.

- Available both in diesel and CNG options and tonnage ranging from 2.2 to 4.2 tonnes payload, the Tata 407 portfolio has been expanded to comprise trucks, tippers, pick-ups and vehicles for agri/food products, construction, light mining and a whole host of services.

- The CNG fuel option too was introduced in 2009, while last year saw the introduction of the Common Rail BS 4 compliant diesel engine.



Picture taken from Mr. Bangalore's post on this thread

[ramzsys]

I love that NA engine's exhaust note.

These mini trucks helped transport agri goods from deep interior to major loading centres(and now this is replicated by the Ace, Ape and the recently launched Leyland Dost).

[download2live]

I have rather bitter experiences with 407.
These 407 water tankers are killer machines on Bangalore roads.
Maybe they drive very well because of which their drivers do not drive them like trucks.

Anyways congratulations to Tata.

[amrisharm]

For some reason you do not see too many of these trucks around the hills of darjeeling. Here mahindra Pick up is still king. Can anybody think of why this could be? it cant be size as the 407 is as compact as the mahindras.

[deetjohn]

I hate the 407 on road. Irrespective of the state, the 407 drivers are very rude and aggressive.

That said, I love the very crisp engine note of the 407. Just by hearing it, one can be sure that, the engine got enough and more grunt.

I haven't driven the 407, but have tried my hand on the Tata Spacio. IIRC, they have the same engine.

[SirAlec]

As always with TATA, then it was a copy of mercedes benz 407D/409D. Apparently tempo traveller which also looks the same is the licensed copy from the Mercedes Benz. The deal was signed somewhere in the early 80s.

Good thing about TATA is, it is a very innovative company. It is pioneer in opening a whole new segment. It did with 407. It also did with the launch of ACE. mahindra, Ape which were selling ridiculously looking 3 wheelers for exhorbitant price had to jump to their R&D to compete with it.

PS: When 407 turbo came into service for the first time in paramilitary like CRPF. I know an incident when one example gave mileage of 26kmpl. We checked it twice. Everybody was amazed. They had to misreport the mileage and lower it to 10. As later if it didn't gave that figure the driver would be in a fix.

The engine is so well made. That to bridge the gap until safari's new engine was developed. (TATA was late). they plonked this unit in it with a common rail pump attached to it.

[turbo1787]

Happy Birthday TATA 407,
I completely bow down to this great piece of machinery. In fact it was the first vehicle i ever drove (to the absolute horror of my parents). GTO sir thanks for starting this thread.
The cng version is doing quite well in Delhi NCR (especially since Delhi registered LCVs have to be CNG).

[predatorwheelz]

Originally Posted by download2live

I have rather bitter experiences with 407.
These 407 water tankers are killer machines on Bangalore roads.
Maybe they drive very well because of which their drivers do not drive them like trucks.

I concur with this. On one hand the 407 has been a landmark product in the history of Indian commercial vehicles, KILLING the Indo-Jap light trucks as well as paving the way for intra-city and inter-city light transportation. On the other hand there's no doubt that they are a terror on highways and within city. Their drivers drive them like race cars, causing accidents galore.

A hearty congratulations to Tata. May some of the celebration budget go into training prospective 407 drivers!

[v1kram]

Being a great fan of 407 right from it's initial days, am very happy to see it's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Can't forget the engine roar /exhaust note of the NA engine, still echoes fresh in my ears.

Congrats to the team, i wish for it's future success and to continue beyond Golden Jubilee.

Special thanks to GTO for starting this thread / sharing the news (from a humble TATA CV fanboy)

[LPT2625]

This would be one among the several Tata models that wouldn't need a horn because the engine does that job pretty well.

[dkaile]

I have a Tata 407 at my factory since the last 16 years and though its not done many kms, it's remained solid as ever. Will post a picture soon...

[condor]

25 Years !! Who would have thought that this relative up-start would take on the might of 4 imported models, and leave them far far behind ? While most others learned their lessons & adapted, DCM & Alwyn Nissan dropped out, the 407 has not given up the territory that it conquered. only Mahindra managed to salvage some pride of the Nissan Cabstar.

On the flip side, the 407 was not much of a success in the passenger category in the urban areas. But out there on the rural roads, the 407 continues it's journey, carrying goods & passengers with equal aplomb.

[girishglg]

Silver Jubilee for the 407! Thats great to know that it has survived the test of times and all those emission norms! I remember my dad had brought home a big scale model of the 407 made in wood presented by the Tatas and I absolutely loved it! I hope I get hold of that piece and post the pics which looked similar to the cutout on top.

Anyway this baby has been more successful than any other product in its class with variants like 6 wheeler and its bigger sibling 608. It did create a new segment of mini trucks then and even till now! Long live 407!!

[amit_mechengg]

407 is the golden horse for tata motors. four not seven is 4 ton carrying capacity and 70 horse power engine.

now tata has already upgraded the engine to 100hp still they preferred 407 name as its iconic model from tata.

407 is the backbone of indian transport industry. a perfect fit in everyones pocket.

[Latheesh]

407 is the real gem from TATA CV table. As others mentioned love the engine grunt! They use 497 NA engine isn't it?