http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/15/military-vehicles-on-order-from-the-czech-republic/

http://praguemonitor.com/2013/06/13/e15-czech-firms-arrange-deal-sell-armoured-vehicles-libya

New Delhi, June 16
Considered as the ‘backbone’ of the Indian Army’s rapid response to any attack along the western front for long, the Czech-built Tatra trucks may not be purchased from now on. The reason: India-built trucks have now improved a lot and could be selected for forthcoming expansion drive or replacements for Tatra trucks, resulting in saving foreign exchange and unhinging India’s reliance on foreign suppliers.

Purchase of Tatra trucks had become controversial and the contract of 1,676 high-mobility Tatra trucks was stopped after former Army Chief Gen VK Singh alleged in February 2012 that there was an attempt to bribe him for clearing the deal. The CBI then booked VRS Natarajan, chief of the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), in April last year. The BEML was the Indian partner of Tatra. A retired Army officer and a private individual have also been booked by the CBI.

Now ending Tatra’s monopoly in India, the Army has completed trials for two types of trucks to replace Tatra – the six-wheeled-drive high-mobility vehicle and the eight-wheeled-drive high-mobility vehicles. The plan is to buy 1,239 units of the first variety and another 255 of the second variety.

More….http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130617/main3.htm

Preparing a new TATRA chassis with a special superstructure designed for transplanting trees for its German customer, POLYOS, spol. s r.o., proves by its another project a flexible use of the unique TATRA chassis.

http://www.tatratrucks.com/about-the-company/press-and-media/news/another-special-use-of-the-vehicle-tatra-phoenix/

Since last year ESTEPE has been actively involved with the product development of several TATRA products.

This truck manufacturer, from the Czech Republic, has a unique chassis concept with which they position themselves on several markets. There was the wish to produce a Crew Cab based on their new Phoenix truck. This model is equipped with a DAF CF cab, which is available in several variants, but not in a crew cab. The cabin variant is mostly used for fire and rescue vehicles.

It wasn’t a simple task to develop a cab that would fit perfectly within the concept that TATRA had envisioned. The interior space had to be as big as possible but the total cab could not use up valuable of the superstructure. Besides this, the Crew Cab also had to meet the EN 1846-2 guidelines. Finally, after several possible configurations, we have chosen to combine a Sleeper Cab (positioned at the front) with a Day Cab (positioned at the rear).

In order to produce the Crew Cab with the highest quality possible, we have opted for a special jig which was designed in house. On this special jig it is possible to align the two cabins perfectly. When aligned, the cabins will be fitted with the necessary structural reinforcements and are finally welded together. To obtain the ex-factory appearance we have opted for the development of several panels directly on the first prototype. This way the panels are in line with the design of the DAF CF cab. The panels for the series production derive directly from these prototypes and will be made from GRP. On the inside of the cab the factory appearance is achieved through several custom made panels, which are upholstered with the original fabric used by the factory. This way there will be no difference between the original and added panels.

To make sure that the cab would meet the strict demands set by TATRA, the first prototype was tested at TATRA’s own testing facility. It was put on a special moving jig where it underwent an endurance test, which mimics the use out in the field. The Crew Cab passed with flying colors, not a single remark was listed.

TATRA has chosen ESTEPE as her partner for this modification because of the fact that ESTEPE has extensive experience with cabin modifications that meet the design and quality standards set by the different manufacturers. Besides this, the very well organized project approach that ESTEPE incorporates was what TATRA was looking for. The entire project from design, building the prototype and the final testing was achieved within budget time wise  and money wise. By now the Crew Cab is fully documented so that a consistent series production can be set up, including the after sales services.

http://www.estepe.nl/en/news-tatra-phoenix-crew-cab.aspx

http://www.estepe.nl/en/cabin-modification.aspx

TW spotted the first Tatra Phoenix with a crew cabin, ideal for firefighters

http://www.pozary.cz/clanek/65399-prvni-cisterna-na-podvozku-tatra-158-phoenix-s-dlouhou-kabinou-byla-predstavena-na-letosnim-pyrosu-spolecnosti-tht-policka/

http://www.auto.cz/tatra-predstavi-novinky-na-veletrzich-v-brne-a-polsku-74601