Tatra trucks not sub-standard, over-priced: BEML

BEML chairman VRS Natarajan today refrained from directly reacting to comments made by Army chief General VK Singh on the quality of Tatra trucks but defended the vehicle calling it unmatched in its category. “I respect the Army chief and I have no comment to make. But the Tatra trucks are the world’s best and they are not sub-standard,” Natarajan said at a press conference organised at the Defence Expo venue in New Delhi.[caption id=“attachment_261481” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“BEML chairman and managing director VRS Natarajan. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] Comparing to ordinary lorries made by Indian companies, the BEML head pointed to the technological superiority of its Czech counterpart. The Tatra trucks are the products of Vectra made in India under licence from the Czech firm. “The on road ordinary Indian lorries have fixed axle. The Tatra has flexible axle and is an all-terrain vehicle. It is not obsolete since it gets updated according to the defence’s requirements. It is not comparable to any other model because of its superiority. The flexible axle allows 80 degree mobility to each wheel,” he said, referring to the state-of-the-art technologies behind the military vehicle. “In the last 26 years, there has been no direct or indirect complaint on performance of the truck,” Natarajan said. “Even the former Chief of Army Staff General JJ Singh praised the trucks,” Natarajan said. The BEML boss also refuted allegations of unjustified pricing that climbed from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore in a short span of time. “There are diferent prices for different sizes. A 4x4 vehicle will costs less while truck variants 8x8, 10x10 and 12x12 will be expensive as it gets longer. Over the years, Vectra has been revising prices every January. They have been increasing it for a percent or two owing to currency valuations and other factors,” Natarajan said. “We have supplying these trucks as per their demands. We have fulfilling their demands of differentr types from Euro I to Euro III. Currently we supply Euro III. You must understand that with an enhanced engine, 40 percent of the truck also has to be upgraded. This affects price as well. Pricing is right according to technology,” he said. Natarajan also brushed aside allegeations on maintenance of the Tatra trucks. “BEML maintains the trucks only till the warranty period. After that the vehicle is taken care of by the user, in this case the military. Post-warranty period we supply only parts as per demand. There may have been occassional delays here and there,” he said. When asked if he had met General Singh, the BEML head said, “When he took over as the COAS I went with him with a bouquet and briefed him about BEML.” He assured that he would support us, Natarajan said.