Tata Motors Expands Prima Truck's Presence in Gulf (GCC) region

Tata Motors has recently launched the Prima range trucks in UAE and Oman. The Indian CV giant ventured into the Qatar market last year with its flagship Prima trucks, making its presence in three countries in the Gulf Cooperation region (GCC) i.e. the Arabian region. This is to be seen as a part of Tata's aggressive commercial vehicle exports programme. The company has sold 41,067 units (including all CVs) in various overseas markets in the current fiscal.

The company now offers the Prima 4438.S (4x2) tractor unit and Prima 4038.K (6x4) tipper in the UAE market. The Prima 4438.S and the Prima 4038.K will go on sale in Oman, which will be available in Prime mover, Rigid Tipper and Tanker in 4x2 and 6x4 configurations.

In the UAE, the company has partnered with the United Diesel and with Dalma Motors in Abu Dhabi. The Al Hasher and Company will be the distributor for the Prima trucks in Oman. Tata Motors, last summer, partnered with Al-Hamad Automobiles of Qatar to commence the entry of Prima trucks in the Gulf region.

The Prima range trucks are manufactured by Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (TDCV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, in its plants in India and South Korea. The trucks will be exported as CBU to other global markets including the UAE and Oman. These next-generation trucks, as the company claims, are built with technical inputs from across the globe - Italian cab design, engine technology from the US and Europe, gearbox expertise from Germany, chassis frame know-how from Mexico, sheet metal dies from Japan and Korea, combining Swedish precision on a robotic weld line. Tata thus calls the Prima as 'World truck’. The company also promotes the Prima as powerful and reliable truck brand by conducting T1 Prima truck races in India.

The aforesaid 4438S (4X2) tractor and 4038.K (6X4) tipper uses a 380 HP Cummins Engine mated to a 9-speed Eaton Transmission with overdrive option. Its Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is 44 tons. The truck is offered in different trims, including multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers and tippers, with GVW extending up to 49 tonnes and engine power upto 560 hp.

The Prima’s modern cabin comes loaded with air-conditioned, roomie occupants’ space, reclining seats, armrests, adjustable steering system, music system and GPS as a standard feature. The driver-focussed cabin is what departs the Prima from Tata's earlier truck designs. The Prima trucks boast COE (Cab Over Engine) body style.

Tata Prima is sold also in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and South Africa. The truck is sold under Tata-Daewoo marque in South Korea and Pakistan. The company is planning to extend its CV products in other possible markets as well.

Photo Credit: Indianautosblog, TeamBHP