Comparison: Tata Motors 2821, Ashok Leyland 2820, BharatBenz 2823R, Eicher Pro 6028 and Mahindra Blazo X28

We take a closer look at the vital 28T haulage truck segment. What truck makers are offering in this critical category of the Indian transport sector? Which one is the most suitable for long-distance transport needs? We provide you the details

The 28T GVW haulage truck segment is one of the high volume categories in the overall heavy truck market. In FY2019-20, the 28TGVW category recorded a total sale volume of over 43,000 units with a 23% share in the overall medium and heavy commercial vehicle cargo volume of the industry. It emerged as the single largest individual sub-segment. Therefore, it is obvious that all truck makers are keen to focus on offering compelling products in this important segment.

All OEMs have now introduced BS6 products to win the 28T GVW category which has increased by 25% from the erstwhile 25T after the new axle load norms were introduced in the middle of 2017.

The 28T GVW multi-axle haulage trucks are deployed at a variety of transportation applications such as construction material, engineering goods, refrigeration, tanker, fruits and vegetable, food grains among others. 

The high volume category attracts intense focus from OEMs with an eye on the market share. Traditionally, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have been the oldest and dominating players in the category, both these leading truck makers still command a combined market share of over 86%. Yet, the last few years, strong players including Mahindra & Mahindra, VE Commercial Vehicle and BharatBenz have emerged as serious challengers.

BS6 Era 

The multi-axle haulage truck category was earlier known as 25T GVW fitted with industry-standard the popular 180HP of the engine. With the evolving and modernising Indian CV industry, both these key attributes have now changed for better. Post new axle-load norms this category now becomes 28T GVW and most of the OEMs have introduced a higher power engine above 200HP. Individual truck owners and fleet operators overwhelmingly prefer a truck that comes with more power, and hence the 180HP engine has moved to a bit higher, this is reflective in the new products that have come into the market.  

Post BS6 norms truck makers have revamped the truck portfolio completely, and with the introduction of more stringent emission norms required more sophisticated powertrain. However, it is not just the modern engine but most of the truck makers have gone ahead in bringing more advanced technologies and superior aggregates for the customer. The goal is to offer more value to the customers, helping him run an efficient transport business with productivity, advanced and most suitable trucks.

Highly competitive category

In the BS4 regime, this multi-axle truck category was extremely competitive which hasn’t changed at all the BS6 era. All the truck makers have come up with a completely new offering in this critical category with all new BS6 engines and superior aggregates. Furthermore, it is not just the vital aggregates and vehicle performance, truck makers are stepping-up their overall promise of productivity and 24x7 support. The OEMs commitment towards products is certainly positive for customers with world-class products and full support with after-sales

Here are the key products. 

Tata Motors 2818 and 2821

Tata Motors has two products in this category with two engine options: the 2818 and 2821 GVW truck equipped with 180HP and 210HP engines respectively both in Cowl and 2818 Signa Cabin. The two trucks come with powered packed features and modern aggregates.

While the 180HP engine in this truck makes a comeback, considering the industry trend towards the preference of a higher power, the firm has also introduced the more powerful 210HP engine that would be more suitable for this segment. Both these trucks are now optimised for higher performance with quality aggregates and overall durable vehicles. 

The market leader is promising total peace of mind, connectivity, choice of selection, comfort and convenience, importantly lower total cost of ownership and enhanced performance. Tata Motors has been a market leader in this category with a considerable lead over its rivals with more than half the share of total industry volume.

Ashok Leyland 2820 

Ashok Leyland has been one of the leading players in this category with its popular and firmly established multi-axle trucks. The firm now aims to further consolidate its position with its new modular platform with multiple options of axle configuration, loading spans, cabins, suspensions, drivetrains on a single platform for a range of haulage trucks. 

The 2820 is offered with a choice of iGen6 series engines tailor-made for the customer’s cargo and different operating needs. This proven iEGR technology continues with the new BS6 engine that is efficiently tuned to higher power and torque with a flat torque curve for greater mileage. 

Unlike the earlier generation vehicle, 2820 get the more powerful 200HP, refined H series 6-cylinder BS6 engine with maximum torque of 700 Nm. It is fitted with enhanced 6-speed synchromesh – 3 options and 8-speed synchromesh and 380 mm dia - single dry plate, organic clutch with an air-assisted hydraulic booster.  

BharatBenz 2823R

BharatBenz emerged as one of the strong players in this category. The firm has introduced its 2823R multi-axle truck. The 2823R 6x2 is a powerful truck equipped with BharatBenz profit plus technology built on five key pillars including superior fuel efficiency, higher safety and comfort, industry best reliability, lower maintenance, and fully connected trucks. BharatBenz BS6 portfolio now comes with a promise of up to 10% higher fuel efficiency, 6% lower maintenance, 20% longer service intervals and 8 years of warranty on each truck.

The 2823R comes with all-powerful 230HP, 6-cylinder, BS6 engine with maximum torque of 850 Nm, this combination paramount for the long-distance duties of these trucks, the power and torque is adequate for almost every application and cargo demands. It is fitted with enhanced G85 gearbox which has 6 forward and 1 reserve mechanical, synchromesh gears. The single dry plate, hydraulic contro clutch is 395 diameters.  

The service brakes are pneumatic foot-operated with dual-line ABS. Whereas the parking brakes are operated by hand control vale. The suspensions are another crucial aggregates for the truck, the front suspensions are parabolic type leaf spring with 2 hydraulic shock absorbers and the rear suspension balancer type semi-elliptical leaf spring. The steering comes with a hydraulic power-assisted type. 

Pro 6028

The Eicher Pro 6028 rigid truck that comes with compelling offering to take on rivals. Like the rest of Eicher haulage trucks, Pro 6028 gets a comfortable cabin for longer fatigue-free driving, greater uptime, best milage and thus higher profit for the owner.

The Pro 6028 is equipped with contemporary aggregates with the proven VEDX5 BS6 engine with is tuned perfectly for a superior combination of power and torque for greater performance. Considering the higher cargo carrying need, the engine produces 210 HP of power at a massive 825 Nm of torque between 1200-1600 rpm.

The suitable applications where this truck can be deployed include white goods, tanker, market load, cylinder transportation, FMCG, e-commerce, and courier & logistics. 

BLAZO X 28

Mahindra Trucks and Buses with its strong heavy-duty truck portfolio is a challenger brand in the M&HCV segment. The company has got the Blazo range of premium trucks with guaranteed mileage and commitment of service across the country.

The Blazo X28 gets the 7.2 litre, high torque, mPOWER FuelSmart engine with multimode switches. The truck is equipped with a real-time (Live) driver information system, guaranteed better fuel efficiency, the modern, feature-rich improved cabin for higher productivity. The Blazo X28 is also available in rig cowl variant for customers who want to build a customized body.

M&M has revealed its BS6 heavy-duty mPOWER and MDI Tech engines with fuel smart technology and robust aggregates in the Auto Expo 2020. To maintain the criticality and competitive advantage, the company’s engineers managed to retain over 90% of the parts of the erstwhile BS4 vehicles. The Blazo range of heavy-duty range containing haulage range will get this new powertrain making a seamless transition to BS6 emission.

It is quite evident that all the truck makers have a strong product in the 28T haulage truck segment. Being a high volume category the competition has always been intense which now continues in the BS6 regime. None of the truck maker ready to yield any ground to the rival.

Also Read: Tata Motors Yodha gets BS6 makeover: All you need to know