[deetjohn]

The Kerala High Court has ruled that vehicles carrying LPG cylinders should be fitted with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

This happened a few weeks ago. Link

Originally Posted by Hindu

Justice Shaji P. Chaly made the ruling while dismissing a batch of writ petitions filed by owners challenging the refusal of the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) to renew the fitness certificate of their vehicles on the ground that the vehicles did not have ABS.

While this is an excellent move, there is a severe lack of options in the market.


A cousin is looking for a mini truck to replace their 2008 Mahindra DI 3200 and has run into this dilemma. The DI 3200 has to go for registration in December and won't get the fitness certificate without ABS. The RTO controls the fitness of commercial vehicles quite seriously over here.

He contacted both Tata and Mahindra dealers and was told that trucks like 407 and DI 3200 doesn't come with factory fitted ABS but they can add it after market. They both quoted 90k for the same. But understandably, my cousin is not too keen on this option.

He also contacted Wabco and they can add ABS for 80k. Wabco can add ABS to the existing 2008 Mahindra DI too unlike Tata and Mahindra, who will do it only if a new truck is bought from them.

There are bigger models with ABS from factory but looking specifically for a compact truck to navigate the narrow streets and which can take a payload of 1.5T.

So, these are the options.

1) Retain the 2008 D1 3200. Get ABS added by Wabco for 80k.
2) Buy a new 407 or D1 3200. Get ABS added by the dealer for 90k.
3) Buy a new mini truck from any manufacturer with factory fitted ABS which can take a payload of 1.5T. Is there a chance for any manufacturer to launch mini truck with ABS from factory itself? We have time till November.

Please help with your suggestions. Not too keen on option 1 or 2.

A DI for reference.