September 13, 2011
Tatra demonstrated its new truck, the Phoenix, to the press last Thursday. It has a modern two-or three-seat cabin, the unique innovative Tatra chassis with a new auxiliary gearbox and air suspension on all axles. Thanks to water-cooled engine and an output of 265 to 375 kW, the car can easily handle even the toughest terrain with gradients up to 35 degrees. During Thursday’s demonstration at the polygon car went out without any problems paved the way for the slope angle of 45 degrees.
Maximum speed on road is 85 kilometers per hour. “With the unique concept of Tatra chassis do not need intermediate frame, which saves on weight, so the vehicle can carry over the competition by 550 to 1250 kg more The largest version can carry up to 32 tons. The truck is meant to be used in construction, mining, forestry, oil and gas and other industrial sectors.
The new model is the result of collaboration with Tatra world’s leading producer of trucks, the Dutch company DAF Trucks NV, which will deliver Tatra cabins and engines. Five trucks of the new model were presented to journalists last Thursday on Kopřivnice polygon.
Later this month Tatra will start production of the new Phoenix, Tatra said at the Phoenix’ European launch. The company assumes that the end of September the first ten vehicles will be finished. The cab and engine are supplied by DAF.
Recently, a DAF participation of 19% was agreed after both parties worked a long time on the development of the Phoenix.
The CF85-cab for the new Tatra truck will be fully furnished – including trim – supplied by DAF in Westerlo, Belgium. The opening angle of the door will however be bigger than the CF85. Only the front with Tatra logo will be manufactured on site. Tatra expects to produce this year 200 units and 1000 to 1500 copies in 2012, depending on orders. About 1480 trucks can be produced in a single-shift; If there is higher interest, we are ready to start more shifts, Tatra said. In the further future, Tatra targets to build 2400 units a year, of which about 50 percent will go to dealers. The old model will be gradually phased out, with about 300 units per year.
The Middle East, Africa and India are considered as major markets for the new vehicle, particularly for military purposes. In Europe, he had a fire or for the construction industry are offered. Phoenix basic model will be the 4×4 version with three-sided kipper.
At first, the Phoenix will be marketed in Germany and Russia. Later other countries will follow. In the Benelux, depending on demand, the Phoenix will be sold through selected DAF dealers.
According to the manufacturer its prize is comparable to a premium truck. According to tests, the total cost of ownership over a period of three years will be between 20,000 and 50,000 Euros less than a comparable competitor.
While in previous years Tatra had to fire people due to lack of demand, now recruiting of new employees started. Tatra expects at this stage a gradual increase of approximately 400 employees. At the beginning of April Tatra employed 1731 men and women and currently employs 1,812 people.
Phoenix photos: http://www.auto.cz/tatra-phoenix-prvni-kontakt-s-novinkou-z-koprivnice-61473
Phoenix Video: http://www.novinky.cz/ekonomika/244135-automobilka-tatra-chce-uz-letos-vyrobit-200-novych-vozu-phoenix.html?ref=stalo-se