Tatra and DAF Trucks sign co-operation agreements

DAF Trucks to provide engines, cabs and distribution opportunities for new range of Tatra trucks

TATRA, producers of heavy-duty vehicles for the commercial and defence segments, have concluded co-operation agreements with DAF Trucks, the main focus of which is the supply of DAF-manufactured engines and cabs for a new range of Tatra vehicles, as well as the distribution of these new Tatra products by leveraging the dealer networks of the two companies.

As part of the agreement, DAF will acquire 19% of the shares in Tatra.

‘We began with the goal to design a new Tatra vehicle featuring the newest innovations of the unique Tatra chassis and applying the state-of-the-art DAF cabins and PACCAR engines,’ said Ronald Adams, Tatra’s chairman and chief executive officer. ‘The project has resulted in a much wider co-operation, one that perfectly cultivates Tatra’s global strategy and, at the same time, adds to DAF’s dealer product portfolio.’

Harrie Schippers, DAF Trucks president, added: ‘We are delighted to be able to contribute to Tatra’s new, state-of-the-art truck, which also offers a great opportunity for our DAF dealers, as it expands their current product portfolio with an all-wheel-drive, high-mobility commercial truck.’

Tatra say the new truck – designed and built in Koprivnice in the Czech Republic – will gradually become their flagship product, delivering high levels of performance and value to customers in the construction, mining, forestry, oil and gas and other commercial segments.

To drive their global sales strategy, Tatra will leverage dealer networks of both DAF and Tatra, and utilize special financing products available through PACCAR Financial Services.

‘This relationship gives Tatra a quantum leap ahead in its commercial vehicle markets, said Ronald Adams. ‘It would take Tatra tens of years and many millions of Euros to build such a wide and successful network of dealers throughout Europe, not to mention the tens or even hundreds of millions of Euros which would have been required to develop such a world-class cabin and engine.’