[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Spotted a new AL UTruck 2523 Rockbody Tipper. Its a 6x4 tipper with rear bogie suspension. Could not find any indication of the body make.

The body could be from Vectra or Hyva. Both of them have their units on the Hosur Road in Bangalore. The Temp number matches with the area they operate from (KA-51 = Electronic City RTO).

[mercedised]

Came across these range of small RAM trucks, though sold in US but looked very attractive, even one can build their own custom truck from their website:

Ram | Compare Models on Heavy Duty, Light Duty, Quad Cab | Ram Trucks

[Twinn]

Originally Posted by mercedised

Ram | Compare Models on Heavy Duty, Light Duty, Quad Cab | Ram Trucks

Guess what!!! They actually have a hoarding up here in TBHP. Their are awesome, but wish it was in India.

Something comparable would be the Xenon from Tata

[mercedised]

Originally Posted by Twinn

Guess what!!! They actually have a hoarding up here in TBHP. Their are awesome, but wish it was in India.

Something comparable would be the Xenon from Tata

Oh!! I never saw any ad. here related to that. IMO to compare it with any Indian pick-up truck is serious disoblige to these trucks, they appear far superior.

[torquecurve]

Originally Posted by mercedised

Oh!! I never saw any ad. here related to that. IMO to compare it with any Indian pick-up truck is serious disoblige to these trucks, they appear far superior.

They better be - the prices at which they come is higher than what we have here!
RAM 1500 - $21475 onwards --> 987500 to $43125 --> 2587500

The smiley denotes what an Indian will think about spending this kind of money on a 'truck'

[julupani]

Now that this thread has been brought up again, a question from my side.

What's wrong with Ashok Leyland? The CV industry overall seems to be growing moderately this year, but Leyland sales have fallen this year by around 5 percent.

Can anybody think of a reason for this??

[chinkara]

Julupani,
AFAIK, there are 2 reasons for that:
1. LCV segment is growing but M&HCV is not -- impact of interest rates and general perceived slowdown. AL is overexposed in this segment
2. I have heard a lot of complaints about their tippers in the north. So the spurt they had in market share last year (esp the part due to increased efforts in the North) is likely to have turned into a backlash.
Commercial vehicle sales show growth
Mods, hope the external linking works.

[Transsenger]

Spotted new Mahindra Navistar 6x2 Truck (Container carrier). This one seems to the first in Cochin w.r.t. the segment. It was fully loaded. The engine was bit loud. The cab suspension is wonderful and i think its fully suspended.
If this performs well, then MNAL will surely grab a sizable market from AL here.
Meanwhile, the MN - Sunderam Motors (TVS) showroom here is the biggest & beautiful among CV dealers in kerala.

[julupani]

The MNAL trucks are not really competition for the legacy range trucks of either Tata or Leyland. They are more in the U-truck category.

As of now its competition to the AMW and MAN haulage models. Neither Leyland nor Tata have products that actually compete with in this market in haulage versions. Both the U-truck and Prima have only tippers and tractors.

Also, as far as I had heard MNAL tractors were almost as costly as Prima tractors, while providing a truck that was closer to the U-trucks.

If the same pricing is carried over to the haulage segment too, this will not sell much.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Sunderam Motors (TVS) showroom here is the biggest & beautiful among CV dealers in kerala.

Is not TVS the dealer for AL in Kochi, Ktm etc? Will there be any conflict of interest?

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by julupani

The MNAL trucks are not really competition for the legacy range trucks of either Tata or Leyland. They are more in the U-truck category.

As of now its competition to the AMW and MAN haulage models. Neither Leyland nor Tata have products that actually compete with in this market in haulage versions. Both the U-truck and Prima have only tippers and tractors.

Also, as far as I had heard MNAL tractors were almost as costly as Prima tractors, while providing a truck that was closer to the U-trucks.

If the same pricing is carried over to the haulage segment too, this will not sell much.

AFAIU, MNAL trucks sold here are not of premium segment. The advantage being they have a wonderful fully built spacious cabin like U-truck, MAN or AMW etc. The base model does not have a/c etc. Similarly the MAN trucks also have base version cabins. The TML "Ex Cab" and AL "Cargo cab" also fall in this category, but are less attractive compared to competition.

Originally Posted by teamveevee

Is not TVS the dealer for AL in Kochi, Ktm etc? Will there be any conflict of interest?

I think TVS&Sons is for AL and Sunderam Motors for MNAL.

[julupani]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

AFAIU, MNAL trucks sold here are not of premium segment. The advantage being they have a wonderful fully built spacious cabin like U-truck, MAN or AMW etc. The base model does not have a/c etc. Similarly the MAN trucks also have base version cabins. The TML "Ex Cab" and AL "Cargo cab" also fall in this category, but are less attractive compared to competition.

Correct.

I think other than Tata Prima, everybody else ie U-truck, MNAL, AMW, MAN all sell basic cabs, ie ones without AC, suspended seats, power windows etc. In fact it is mostly these cabs, or at best ones with an AC that sell in considerable numbers.

The TML "EX cab" and Leyland's "Cargo Cab" are nothing but standard legacy trucks with slightly better cabs. While the rest actually have higher power engines, and other components as well. They ca also not be kitted out to offer higher levels of comfort.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

I think TVS&Sons is for AL and Sunderam Motors for MNAL.

Legal entities may be different, but i think the parent company is the same. I believe both share the same premise in KTM.

[TheARUN]

Spotted the MAHINDRA Truck yesterday, looks much better in the flesh than in pictures. There is this petrol bunk in Hosur - awesome place for spotting ASHOK LEYLAND Trucks going off for delivery

[Transsenger]

After the tractors, its now time for PRIMA tippers in Kerala. The first PRIMA tipper, that too an 8x4, 3128 is getting ready for delivery in the week ahead.
Had a chance to explore this giant last day, and below are my first impressions;
1. Very good built quality and a promising product for & from TML.
2. All aggregates and components are very heavy and has no resemblance to any other TML products (by size & weight). really heavy!
3. The A/c driver cab is ergonomically laid out with features one find in most modern cars of today....6 way adjustable driver seat, remote lock & key less entry, electronic-integrated controls etc.
4. Qualified to compete with Volvo, M.Benz etc (in this segment).
5. Powered by 280Hp Cummins ISBe common rail engine, mated with ZF 9 speed gearbox.
6. The Hydraulic system & load body (18cu.m) is by Hyva.

Meanwhile, its to be seen how the product performs in the conditions here. The 8x4 market is in its initial stages, which was opened by AL with its Utruck 3123, followed by Kamaz Vectra, MAN and now TML. It may take some time before volumes build up.