[KiloAlpha]

I came across this article in autocar.co.uk:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...ype-india-trip

Quoting from the article

The world’s first flatpack truck, which was designed by Gordon Murray to be made in the UK and built up quickly and easily in emerging markets, has been commissioned for build by Shell and will be taken to India for demonstrations.

Now, oil and gas giant Shell has helped to move the project forward by ordering a bespoke example to India, where it will demonstrate the vehicle's abilities – which include carrying payloads of up to 1900kg or seating up to 13 people – with the intention of drawing in potential customers.

The Ox was the brainchild of entrepreneur Sir Torquil Norman. Five years ago, Norman formed a partnership with Murray to use the British designer’s iStream design principles to create an extremely durable, all-terrain light truck specifically for remote parts of Africa and other developing areas, such as those in India.

Do we think this will succeed in India?

[v12]

Doubt this may succeed looking at past history of the HM Oka RTV (The Oka from Hindustan Motors)which ended up as post vehicles.

[n.devdath]

A few factors will determine its success in India: -

1. Price; This is pretty much like a slightly bigger Tata Ace/Magic etc which makes the market pretty crowded already. Mofussil transport is successfully handled by Ape/Bajaj/Atul auto in India. The places where they fail due to the terrain is ruled by Sumos and Boleros because they offer some weather protection.

2. Image; A Bolero camper/Sumo Gold/Tata Ace are considered proper vehicles while the Ox will not have any image whatsoever in the buyer's mind.

3. FE; The Ox apparently is powered by a 2.2 litre Ford engine in its prototype version. In India, such vehicles are generally powered by engines less than 1.5 litres to enhance fuel efficiency. The Ox will be thirstier.

4. A.S.S.; It takes a lot of time to establish a nationwide network of service and support, not to mention consumer trust about a product that is meant for rough use and low maintenance. Remember the Multix? It is dead now, inspite of trying to fit in where the Ox is albeit, at a slightly smaller size.

I m not even talking homologation, marketing, customisation etc yet.

If GTV want to make this a commercial success, they have a long, rough road to traverse.

[i74js]

What new is on offer expect tractor like central seating (comparing with F1 looks odd)? Poorly laid out cabin, a passenger each on either side of the driver - no way anyone can understand this configuration.

Third party sourced engine (big in size) which has the capability to burn the tarmac as well as the pocket of the owner !

Beating established CV segment players like Tata's, Mahindra, Piaggio in terms of market outreach, customer confidence would be difficult. Even well established players like Maruti is taking it easy for this saturated segment.

[Thilak29]

I think India has moved past a state where it needed such bare bone vehicles, Ace, Dost and likes (tractors included) have made inroads into both rural and urban cv markets. I am afraid this UK based truck has nothing innovative to offer as such unless it is sold at 1/3rd of price of other cvs in market.
Why Shell is into this, if it has time and resources to spare, how about setting up some more retail pumps along highways and tier 2 cities?

[A M]

One vehicle for both right and left hand drive markets? What do the Indian CMVR rules say about the central steering position?

Could make up for a good donor vehicle for a camper van though.

[qr20de]

I remember reading and analysis this vehicle during my time at Mobius Motors. It's a great concept, in the sense that the modularity and functional reliability is the prime focus.

Would make for a great defense vehicle and for agricultural uses.

[ritz3645]

Originally Posted by Thilak29

Why Shell is into this, ?

From article at cartoq in bold.

'Shell – yes, the same company that sells fuel and lubricants in India – will bring the OX to the Indian market. Shell has partnered with Gordon Murray Design, who will manufacture and ship the vehicle in flatpacks to India. The vehicle will later be assembled in various parts of India and will be deployed to Shell’s many outreach programs across the country'.

Source :
https://www.cartoq.com/the-ox-is-a-p...ndia-by-shell/

[rav11stars]

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha

... all-terrain light truck specifically for remote parts of Africa and other developing areas, such as those in India.
Do we think this will succeed in India?

Although they might be talking about the terrain when speaking about Africa and India in the same vein, but we have decent roads even to the remote corners.
I do not intend to start a debate whether we're still developing or not, but then looking from an aam admi's perspective it may not receive a good reception here; at least in the form that we see here.

Probably it'd be best to not talk about the safety or interiors, if it has one

We're very tricky automobile customers; we didn't like a nice car because it was called the world's cheapest car.

[honeybee]

I guess Shell has ordered a prototype and a production version is quite far away in the future as of now.

As the news article states / quotes the team, this is an effort ti test the waters, check the feasibility of the vehicle. So most likely this prototype will be used to find out if India really needs these vehicles, whether for civilian duties or otherwise.

Another alternative could be to see if manufacturing can be set up in India to further reduce costs. Design could be done in the UK and manufacturing could be done in India and exported to other countries. If 6 units of the Ox could be packed in a 40 ft container, it's extremely portable, I would say.

[Holyghost]

I guess we are missing the main points here. This is a flat pack truck, which means it can be disassembled and can be shipped to any remote place in flat packs just like how they ship your furniture. It comes in 2 crate, one having all the body parts and the other crate with Engine Gearbox. The truck is then assembled on site.
They claim a trained mechanic who need not be an expert can assemble the truck in 12 hours. So, the main point here is: If the truck doesn't require any factory machinery to assemble, then this truck can be easily maintained at site without requiring a service centre.
Secondly, This vehicle has a 2Ton payload capacity. This double what you can carry in Ace and much more than the Apes and 3 wheelers.
Third, this vehicle is made for offroads.

Comparing these to Ace and other load carriers is not correct. The intended usage and USP of the vehicle is completely different.