Heavy trucks: biggies face challenge from newbies

Small players such as Asia Motor Works (AMW), Mahindra Navistar and Volvo Eicher are taking on biggies Tata Motors and Hinduja-owned Ashok Leyland in the heavy truck market (16-49 tonne segment).

With heavy truck sales jumping 65% in 2010 to 2.6 lakh units, small players are introducing new trucks. The competition intensified with Daimler last week announcing the entry of Bharat Benz trucks by mid-2012.

Mahindra Navistar Automotive Ltd (MNAL) also launched a 25-tonner tipper and 40-tonner tractor trailer this week. The company will launch another 25- tonne tipper for the construction segment and a 49-tonne tractor-trailer by mid-2011.

MNAL has invested R900 crore in its Pune plant and for product development.

Asia Motor Works, which has so far been into heavy-duty trucks, will now enter the cargo market with 16, 25 and 31-tonne models. Volvo Eicher, which has three products in this segment, too is looking at expanding its product portfolio. 'It is a matter of time we become a significant part of the heavy-duty landscape in India,' said Sidhartha Lal, MD and CEO.