Tatra

Brand Introduction

Tatra is a Czech heavy truck manufacturer, founded in 1850, headquartered in Kopřivnice, currently part of the Volkswagen Group. Its predecessor was the Nesseldorfer factory which produced the first internal combustion car in 1897, making it the third oldest automobile manufacturer after Daimler and Peugeot.

Development History

The company was founded in 1850. The first car was produced in 1897. Focused on developing heavy trucks starting from 1935. The first series of vehicles with air-cooled engines was launched in 1942. Mass production of the T815 series began in 1983. In 1999, the passenger car market was abandoned, focusing on truck products. After 1996, the T816 FORCE military series and T815 ARMAX civilian series were launched.

Core Technology

The company focuses on air-cooled engine technology, developing V-type 8 to 12 cylinder air-cooled diesel engines, capable of cold start at -40°C. Adopting backbone chassis and swinging half-axle structure, forming 4x4 to 12x12 all-wheel drive systems, possessing super strong off-road performance. Drive shafts and differentials are all enclosed within the spine, with excellent torsion resistance.

Main Products

Mainly producing heavy trucks, military vehicles, off-road vehicles, mining vehicles. Classic products include T815 series (6x6 all-wheel drive, towing capacity up to 150 tons), T816 FORCE military series, T815 ARMAX civilian series. Products are widely applied in mining, infrastructure engineering, concrete transportation and military fields.

Brand Status

Currently Tatra focuses on heavy truck and special vehicle manufacturing, its subsidiary German SEMEX company specializes in manufacturing truck chassis and truck-mounted cranes. Due to factors such as heavy weight and high fuel consumption, it is rarely seen in regular road transport, but maintains a leading position in extreme environment operation fields.