TDCV develops South Korea's 1st LNG tractor-trailer

Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. (TDCV), the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer of South Korea and a 100% subsidiary of Tata Motors, has developed South Korea's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered heavy tractor-trailer, an environment friendly commercial vehicle.

TDCV pioneered the design, development and manufacture of the new LNG tractor, under an arrangement sponsored by the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS). The development work on the vehicle had begun in September 2004, and is expected to evoke an encouraging response from customers, with its fuel efficiency and economy of operation.

KOGAS will put the vehicle on test drive during the second half of the year with a view to introducing it to the industry at large in 2007.

About TDCV: TDCV, which was acquired by Tata Motors in 2004, posted a turnover of Rs.1584 crores in 2005-06, a growth of over 34.5% over the 2004-05 turnover of Rs.1178 crores. In 2005-06, TDCV posted a PAT of Rs.58.31 crores, a growth of over 160% over the 2004-05 PAT of Rs.22.46 crores. Besides being the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the South Korean market, TDCV has emerged as Korea's largest exporter of heavy commercial vehicles. It currently accounts for 65% of all such exports from the country. About 40% of its turnover is from exports to countries like South Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia.