The author previously wrote an article about the Turkish truck model Pi Makina 18-440 . In order to give readers a more comprehensive understanding of the Turkish truck industry, today I will introduce another influential Turkish truck-BMC TUGRA. 

 BMC TUGRA 

This truck is higher lever than Pi Makina 18-440 in terms of its workmanship and performance, and can represent the highest level of Turkish heavy trucks. Not much gossip, let's take a look at this truck, and also discuss some of the Turkish truck industry.

In 2019, 

BMC has just awarded a contract of hundreds of millions of dollars in armored tank orders from the Turkish Army. The popular well known model for Chinese truck drivers is the BMC TUGRA,which is the leading part we are going to introduce today. This truck was strike a pose on the stage at the German IAA Auto Show in 2018.

BMC TUGRA  & HYUNDAI TRAGO

The most impressive thing about the BMC TUGRA truck is the huge air intake grille on the front face. A previous article from the readers comments that the truck looks not coordinated, and the headlights looks a bit evil. I will not comments on the face design more ,Everyone thinks in his own way of likes.

However, I think the BMC TUGRA truck seem to have met before, so I found a picture of heavy truck model TRAGO produced in Hyunda China factory. A comparison found that the two really look alike, such as the same huge air intake grille, handlebars, window and rear window styles, and the Side Face transition waistline...

I have been checked the  BMC TUGRA truck's styling and interior design by a company named DesignUM in Istanbul, while the styling of Hyundai TRAGO is rumored to be designed by a German company. I don't know if there is any connection between the two company, in any case, cut from the same cloth is a rare event,difficult to find,at least I have never meet before.

Cabin Interior

The interior of the BMC TUGRA truck is more originality, but the steering wheel is too similar to the TOYOTA Prado. In addition, modeling of the control panel and instrument panel can spotted along the same with the Volvo FH heavy truck interior.

In Coloring, the black decorated with gray has obvious arrangement, which gives us a sense of simplicity, and is also very resistant to dirt, which meets the use condition of the truck. The piano paint on control panel enhanced the texture, but it is easy to leave fingerprints and contrary to the dirt resistance properties mentioned above , and I personally think that it would be better to change to a frosted panel.

The flat floor design of the cab ensure the internal activity space of the driver, and the width of the sleeper (80MM) has also reached the standard of European truck mainstream . Other humanized designs such as sleeper control panels, roof sunroofs, and upper sleeper climbing ladders are all very European.

(Fingerprints on the piano paint panel)

It can be said that the interior design of the BMC TUGRA truck is not much different from Euro Trucks. The only thing that needs to be considered is the workmanship and materials.

(VOLVO FH heavy truck interior)

Power Configuration (Tractor as an example)

BMC TUGRA trucks equipped Iveco's Corso 11 engine (with engine brake) to meet Euro VI emission standards.

The maximum horsepower is 460 horsepower (maximum torque 2150N.M), with ZF 12-speed automatic transmission and 16-speed manual transmission optional.

The 13-ton drive axle has a speed ratio of 3.081, and the truck is equipped with two fuel tanks (primary 600Liters and secondary 80Liters) on the left and right sides. 

Considering the area of Turkey, the long distance drive should not be a big problem.

In terms of Smart Configuration, there are mainstream equipments such as Cruise Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Full LCD Instrument Panel, Lane Departure Warning System, and Body Stabilization System, which basically follow the trend of EURO trucks. 

These are on neck and neck with his main domestic competitor Ford Fmax.

The Turkish automobile industry is deeply influenced by Europe and the United States. For example, the Ford truck, which has been deeply plowing in Turkey market, has a far-reaching impact on Turkey. After in-depth understanding of the two heavy trucks produced by Turkey "independently", i have had a preliminary impression of the strength of Turkey's truck industry.

Compared to more developed countries such as Australia and New Zealand, Turkey is very ambitious. Its automobile industry is relatively mature and developed. It not only has its own commercial vehicle brand, but also exports to different countries to earn USD, under the help of European and American auto companies, Turkish trucks have developed rapidly in recent years.

At the same time, the influence of Volvo and Scania truck brands in Turkey (some international company will choose these European brands), so that Turkish truck users have high quality requirements.

Therefore, the contradiction is that Turkish truck companies have the motivation to pursue high-quality, and they can also obtain the help of advanced European and American companies more conveniently. However, the truck industry itself is weak, and self-owned brand trucks cannot meet the needs of domestic users .

New models as BMC TUGRA truck can be manufactured in Turkey, but the three major parts and electronic components , technological equips must be imported. Even if the styling and interior can be designed in the country, but mimic the marks are still visible, which reveals the true strength of the Turkish truck industry.

You can understand as Turkey with the ability to assemble a good truck, However, the core hematopoietic ability and sustainable development ability are missing. 

Most of the important parts are purchased from other countries, which come with a  critical defect to Turkish trucks that it is not cost effective for expensive, and their selling prices are basically equal with EURO trucks.

But the brand, Testing, and vehicle quality are not same level with Euro's. Turkish trucks have no advantage in the competition with Euro . More importantly, the lack of cost-effectiveness has directly led to the narrowing of Turkish trucks' foreign market expansion. Internationaly, not talk about Chinese trucks , and Even compared with Japanese and Korean trucks, Turkish truck price is not cheap at all.

Therefore, Turkish trucks are basically still playing in their own country. Reliance on foreign parties, lack of scale, and weaker design capabilities have restricted the development of Turkish trucks.

We can see from Turkish trucks that Integrating international superior resources can quickly build a good vehicle, but the lack of autonomy can only be regarded as a superficial. Chinese trucks can learn from the Turkish truck industry that international cooperation and independent innovation are indispensable. (Text/Surname Number: Little K)