Eicher launches 16 tonne tipper in TN capital

Chennai, Feb 24 (UNI) Buoyed by the construction boom in the city, Eicher Motors launched its 'Terra 16' here today aiming to grab a piece of the estimated market for 35,000 tippers next year.

Addressing a press conference here, Eicher Motors Chief Executive Rakesh Kalra said the 16-tonne 147 HP Terra 16 offering gradability as high as 22.5 per cent and high pick-up was introduced after extensive research and elaborate procedures.

''Be it in terms of better mileage, faster turnaround, higher pick up and exceptionally strong aggregates, we hope, beginning with Terra 16, Eicher will be making strong inroads into the tipper segment.'' Compared to other tippers, the Rs 7.85 lakh Terra 16 offered ten per cent more saving in diesel, he claimed.

Denying capacity constraints, Mr Kalra said Eicher had sold 17,800 vehicles this year and despite a negative growth in the 4x2 vehicle segment, it was confident of selling 4,000 'Jumbos' under this category this year.

Armed with a network of 120 dealers and Eicher authorised service and satellite centres, the company had 1,000 contact points and 5000 mechanics for need-based servicing.

Mr Kalra said a 6/4 tipper and trailer truck were also in the design stage. Normally, it took three years for a product to go from the concept to the pilot stage.

The group spent about four per cent on product design research and development activities. Eicher Motors General Manager G Sekar said about 40 per cent of the total revenues were contributed by the south.

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