Sisu switches to a military commissar, Ikarus electric buses in the brand’s hometown and more – Autoreview

Finnish truck manufacturer Sisu Auto announced that due to “changes in the security of Europe” will focus on the production of military equipment. In general, it is not surprising, given that Sisu is a worthy player in this market.

His development of military equipment began back in the sixties of the last century, and the range was very wide, starting with the 5.5-ton truck A-2045 on MAN units and ending with the latest five-axle ETP chassis with a lowered cab. But now the focus is shifting towards seven-ton armored vehicle GPTin the development of which the Finns have invested serious money.

The first purely military models of Sisu were funny KV airborne

From the “civilian” models of the Polar family, using Mercedes units, it was decided not to refuse. True, despite the high quality and adaptability to difficult conditions for which these machines are famous, their production has been falling in recent years.

The modern range of 3-, 4- and 5-axle chassis is called ETP

In covid 2020, it amounted to only 29 pieces. In the same year, partner Mercedes sold 377 heavy trucks in the Finnish market.

While Sisu Polar dump trucks and timber trucks continue to gather

Alas, at present, in a small market, fewer and fewer customers are ready to pay extra for manual assembly of even high-quality machines.

Daimler Truck celebrates ten years anniversary of its subsidiary Indian structure (DICV). This is the same company that produces BharatBenz cars. During this period, 125 thousand cars of all classes were sold in India, another 50 thousand were exported. True, these figures also include an unspecified number of cars of the head brand, assembled at the same plant in Chennai. The BharatBenz program includes trucks with gross weight from 9 to 55 tons, as well as school, city and tourist buses.

It is interesting that at one time Mercedes had a long-term partner in India – the local company Tata. Since the 1960s, it has been producing a wide range of trucks under a German license. But the slowness of the Indians in the development of new models did not suit the partners. Then they decided to independently enter the market with global models. And they miscalculated: for the local market, even Axor was prohibitively expensive.

LiAZ and NefAZ continue to fill the cities of Russia with their new buses. For example, Likin recently delivered 20 new low-floor models 5292 to Norilsk. They are distinguished by dark blue colors, an “ice pattern” on the roof and a large “Severobus” inscription on the sides – a reference to Moscow electric buses. The buses are equipped with Yaroslavl diesel engines and have increased to 30 seats in the salons. NefAZ has begun delivering its equipment to Irkutsk – 40 green model 5299 buses are expected to arrive there by autumn. These are standard low-floor vehicles, similar to those currently operating in Moscow, with Cummins engines and ZF automatic transmissions.

Ikarus bus brand many of us still evoke many memories. About trying to revive the glorious brand we told two years ago. And here is the latest news from this manufacturer: two electric buses entered the transport company of the Hungarian city of Szekesfehervar, native to Ikarus. The twelve-meter Ikarus 120e does not stand out from the endless range of fellows: low floor, wheelchair ramp, air conditioning, USB charging and more for the comfort of eighty-six passengers. The power reserve is also standard, regarding 300 kilometers. Local residents warmly note the external resemblance to the half-forgotten model of the 400 series.