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In-depth report
on DEFEXPO 2010
HRTC seeks revival • York ‘axle’rates

At the heart of the indian trucks & bus industry

Volume 4 Issue 6 • March 2010

Kamaz-Vectra
carves o wn niche
10 CV_March_cover.indd 1 3/6/2010 12:27:08 AM
promising player

COVER STORY KAMAZ VECTRA

Kamaz-Vectra
carves own
niche

The Indo-Russian combine recognises that

there is a big space to play between European and
Indian specifications. The trucks straddle the best of
both worlds at prices that are not exactly stratospheric.
Story Sridhar Chari Photography Rajesh Kumar

50 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / MARCH 2010

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 KAMAZ VECTRA / COVER STORY

Denis Trifonoff says that homologation of this truck was

completed in a record time of 3 months.

The Tatra Vectra He-

mang dumpers may have
reached the end of their
life in India. But few are
lamenting their loss. The reason is the in-
troduction of the Kamaz 6540 31 tonne 8x4
rigid. Well-suited to both deep mining as
well as construction and infrastructure du-
ties, this is an intelligent first serving from
Russian CV giant Kamaz Inc. In March
2009, Kamaz allied (51:49 JV) with the
sprawling Vectra Group to form KAMAZ
VECTRA MOTORS LIMITED JV.

MARCH 2010 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / 51

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 COVER STORY / KAMAZ VECTRA

WEIGHT CAPACITIES (Kgs)

Payload 19000 (as per CMVR) CLUTCH DIA 430 mm
Rear Bogie type arrangement
GVW 31000 DIMENSIONS (MM)
with anti-roll bars with
FAW(max) 12200 Overall Length 7640 11 leaf plates
RAW(max) 18800 Overall width 2500 WHEELS
ENGINE Height 3326 Front 4 Nos.
Model Kamaz 740.30-260 Wheel Base 1800-2080-1320 Rear 8 Nos.
Type V8, Twin Turbocharged FUEL TANK Size 11x20-16 Ply rating
with intercooler
Capacity 210 ltrs X 2 steel tanks Rim Size 8.0 x 20 inches
Max. Engine OutPut 260 hp (188kW) @
STEERING BRAKES
2200rpm
Make ZF, Hydraulic Power Dual circuit pneumatic brakes with load
Max Torque 1093Nm (112kgm) @
steering sensing valve.
1400 rpm
Turning Radius 10.1 meters Brake lining: Non-absestos with total braking
Swept Volume 10850 cc
SUSPENSIONS area of 8400 cm2
GEAR BOX
Front Semi elliptical single CAB & BODY
Make ZF 9S 1315 TO all gears
pin leaf assembly Fully built tiltable cab
synchromesh
with heavy duty shock
Tipping body of 16m3 box type with tail gate
No. of speed 9 forward with 1 absorbers and anti-roll
overdrive 1 Reverse bar GRADEABILITY 25%

52 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / MARCH 2010

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 KAMAZ VECTRA / COVER STORY

all the goodies associated with a truck of

this class, twin steered front axles, tandem
driven axles, a 9 speed gearbox, bogie sus-
pensions on the rear axle with anti roll bar,
dual circuit pneumatic brakes with a load
sensing valve, asbestos-free brake lining,
tiltable cabin and 25 percent gradeability.
But, the biggest plus is that this truck is
inexpensive to maintain and repair due to
its simple design and easy handling. This
is an especially important concern in de-
manding Indian conditions. This truck
platform has been proven itself in defence
applications over the last four decades. The
same rugged characteristics and versatility
of construction lend themselves easily to
the tough requirements of the Indian mar-
ket. ‘We use a common frame across all
trucks in platform. This frame allows not
only easy fitment of range of aggregates,
but also their serviceability. For instance,
unlike some European-origin trucks, one
does not need to remove the entire engine
to access the transmission,’ explains Denis
Trifonoff, CEO, Kamaz Vectra Motors
Limited.
This versatility will prove useful when
Kamaz finalises its shopping list of local
aggregates. Currently, the truck is put to-
gether post receipt of CKDs from Russia,
with the local content being just 12 per-
cent. The Indo-Russian combine targets
an aggressive 30 percent target next year,
The 11-litre , 8-cylinder Euro II
compliant 260 HP Kamaz engine
with virtually 100 percent localisation by
2012. First on the shopping list are engines
and gearboxes. The Euro II engine may be
a great first option but post imports it is
expensive, and Kamaz will need a smaller
and more fuel-efficient Euro III compli-
ant local engine. The company is in dis-
cussions with local players like Cummins
as also international suppliers like Deutz.
‘We are looking at 300HP Euro III en-
gine to meet changing norms as of April
1, 2010. There has not been a freeze on a
local supplier. If local development were
to take time, we are open to bringing in a
360HP electronic version of our current 11
litre engine offering,’ explains Trifonoff.
Kamaz already works with Cummins in
CIS countries. Similarly, the 6540 also
uses a 9 speed ZF gearbox imported from
Russia. But, a similar specification gear-
box could be sourced from ZF India or
other suppliers for that matter. The target

The 6540, powered by a Euro II compli-

ant 11-litre 260 HP, boasts of a torque out-
put of 1060 NM. The high power V Type
arranged overhead cam engine boosted by
twin turbochargers offers extra tonnage and
longevity. The special 8x4 integrated axle
design lends high level of stability coupled
with manoeuvrability, even weight distri-
bution on the wheels that results in high
road grip and low stress on tyres. The body Keys of the truck
with a low centre of gravity is balanced on being presented to
the first customer.
all specified speed operations. One sees

10 CV_Kamaz.indd 53 3/6/2010 1:39:08 AM

 COVER STORY / KAMAZ VECTRA
The tandem driven rear axles provide a strong and stable base for this
truck.. Below, the front axle is supported by semi-elliptical leaf-springs.
Hosur Facility
It is interesting going around the Hosur
plant. The area surrounding the factory
not only ferries CKD kits for production
but also doubles up as a test area for the
trucks. We spot axles, frames, cabins,
fasteners, brackets, electrical fittings
stashed away in separate containers.
Around the same space is a washing area.
Upon entering the factory, the statistics
roll out. A total of 130 CKD kits have arrived
at the factory. A small number of 649 parts
go into each truck and it takes 49 man
hours to put together each truck.
The assembly is a 10 stage affair as
various aggregates keep getting mounted
on the frame. As we told you earlier,
Kamaz uses a common frame for the
6540 platform with drill holes to mount
brackets for the aggregates. Step by step,
the rear axles, air brakes, front axles,
propeller shafts and exhaust pipes get
fitted. Then come, the suspensions, engines
and transmissions, radiators, fuel tank,
air cleaner, cabin mounting and coolant
filling. There is a final inspection of chassis,
following which, the tipper bodies are
mounted.
54 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / MARCH 2010
10 CV_Kamaz.indd 54
is to price this truck aggressively for its ap-
plication. It is already available at an all
inclusive price of Rs 32 lakh and the going
can only get better.
In keeping with the economy-seeking
behaviour of the Indian market, the trucks
do not feature extravagant cabin trims,
or cabin AC and radials as standard
fitment. Even the level of electronics is
rudimentary.
‘We want to position our 20 tonne pay-
load truck between expensive 25 tonne
payload European origin offering and the
inexpensive but underperforming 14-15
tonne Indian trucks. Therefore, we will fo-
cus on making our trucks value for money,
without providing for expensive features
like plastic panels in the cabin, AC or ra-
dials. Similarly we have decided to resist
the temptation to go in for extensive elec-
tronics. What is the point if a truck has to
be taken to a service centre to just replace
a defective fuse in the instrument panel?’
reasons Trifonoff.
In line with this middle-path approach
to the market, Kamaz has decided against
taking the existing players head-on in the
popular 16,25 and 49 tonne GVW catego-
ries. Sticking with the 6540, Kamaz has
plans to offer a longer wheel-base option
of the 31 tonne GVW vehicle. ‘With such
an option, we can address the needs of the
construction equipment industry. For in-
stance, the mounting of a 42-metre concrete
boom pumps and excavators becomes that
much easier while still staying with cur-
rent GVW norms,’ explains N. Hemanth
Kumar, GM, marketing and sales.
But, the idea is not to stay restricted
to merely one product bracket. Kamaz
is actively mulling a 31 tonne GVW 6x4
truck – a segment thus far unexplored in
India. The domestic market currently sees
25 tonne GVW 6x2 rigids, 25 tonne GVW
6x4 rigids and 31 tonne GVW 8x4 rigids.
‘CIS countries have long favoured the 20
tonne payload 6x4 configuration. We could
create a new market with this product in
India,’ sets out Trifonoff. This develop-
ment is expected to come through by the
G Srinivasan and Hemanth Kumar represent
the R&D and Marketing arms of Kamaz Vectra.
3/6/2010 1:40:16 AM
 KAMAZ VECTRA / COVER STORY
Kamaz Vectra have had to make relatively
meagre investments since Vectra already
had a functioning plant used to put
together the Hemang dumpers.

AT A GLANCE
KAMAZ Inc. is one of the largest truck manufacturers in Europe and leader in the cargo
vehicle market in Russia and the CIS countries, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,
and Belarus. KAMAZ Inc. manufactures a wide range of cargo vehicles, including tractors,
side-board trucks, and tippers. The vehicles come with wheel arrangements in different sizes
and dimensions: 4x2, 4x4, 6x4, 6x6, 8x4, and 8x8, and with gross weights up to 120 tons.
The Vectra Group’s core businesses include aviation, engineering, material handling and
construction equipment, automotive, real estate, information technology, and the services
sector. The operations of Vectra Group are primarily in India and Eastern Europe, spanning
more than 18 companies, with eight manufacturing facilities in four countries (India, UK,
Czech Republic, and Slovakia). In addition, Vectra Group has offices and/or investments in
France, Russia, Singapore, and Hungary.

second half of next fiscal.
In the immediate future, the 5460
platform long-haul 40 tonne 4x2 trac-
tor is also expected to join the fray. This
truck could be powered by a 300-360 HP
electronic, Euro III compliant engine. An
ultra-low floor city bus is also on display
at the company’s Hosur facility, but this
bus has yet some while to go before being
commercialised.
All in all, Kamaz expects to sell 1,500
trucks next year, with a plan to put out 7,000
trucks by 2013. The plant can be pushed to
a capacity of 9,000 trucks per annum. The
numbers may not seem so big at the out-
set, but, it is important to understand that
the Kamaz Vectra JV has invested just Rs
40 crore for production effort. Vectra had
already deployed the compact Hosur plant
to cater to the Hemang dumpers. ‘We are

MARCH 2010 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / 55

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 COVER STORY / KAMAZ VECTRA
Kamaz uses a
common frame
across a range
of trucks. This
helps reduce
both cost and
setup time.
confident of a breakeven in just 6 months
even at current CKD production. Whatever
localisation were to happen at later stages
would straightaway result in additions to
the bottomline,’ reveals Hanuman Sharma,
Chief Financial Officer.
In order to facilitate this effort, Kamaz
plans to have a network of 20 dealers by
next year. These dealers will be chiefly
located in the mining and infrastructure
development corridors of southern and
central India.
EXPORT STRATEGY
India has been a welcome cog in Kamaz’s
strategy to grow its presence in the BRIC
countries. The company is already strong
in Russia and growing its share in the Chi-
nese market. It is not just India that is on
the radar for Kamaz, but also similar Right
Hand Drive markets in Asia and Africa. The
We may see this 4x2 tractor built
on the 5640 platform by the end
of next fiscal. (A) A sleeper bunk
provided for the long haul drive.
56 / COMMERCIAL VEHICLE / MARCH 2010
10 CV_Kamaz.indd 56
This ultra-low floor Kamaz bus
is likely to hit the market only
in the medium term.
company’s automated production line in
Russia is only geared towards the produc-
tion of Left Hand Drive trucks and achiev-
ing frequent modification to RHD trucks
is tough. But, it was certainly not difficult
to make the truck RHD in India. ‘The en-
tire homologation process was completed
in just three months. This included, mak-
ing the steering and lighting systems, right
hand drive. Similarly, in keeping with the
hot tropical conditions in India, we have
had to introduce special painting and lo-
cate the heated exhaust pipes away from
rubber parts,’ states Trifonoff.
Incidentally, Kamaz and Vectra have
established a production and engineering
centre for Kamaz’s business development
in the left-hand traffic countries of Asia
Pacific and Africa. This centre will devel-
op a new products taking into account the
needs and preferences of local customers
and will localise vehicle production.
ALLIANCE WITH BEML
Kamaz is in discussions with PSU con-
struction and defence equipment special-
ist, BEML to bring in 5 tonne payload 4x4
defence trucks. Discussions are underway
between the two companies, as to how the
trucks can be cost effectively localised.
Among the options on the table are to man-
ufacture the chassis of the trucks at BEML
under technology from Kamaz. On the
other hand the cabins for these trucks could
still be put together at Kamaz’s Hosur fa-
cility. Whatever, the case, the initial level
of localisation will be at least 50 percent to
match the Indian army’s demanding cost
targets. Currently, the Indian army owns
a fleet of 70,000 such trucks and wants to
replace some of the older lot. Kamaz ex-
pects this alliance to bring in volumes of
anywhere from 2,000-6,000 trucks in a
year. Defence apart, Kamaz hopes that it
can bundle its products with BEML’s of-
ferings in the civilian construction equip-
ment sector. ‘Customers could need upto
two tippers for every motorgrader offered
by BEML. We can step into the picture,’
puts forth Trifonoff. ■
3/6/2010 1:40:55 AM