Eicher launches new Pro 5000 range of heavy-duty trucks

Eicher Trucks & Buses, a part of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), today launched its all-new Pro 5000 series of BS IV-compliant, heavy-duty rigid haulage trucks, tractors and tippers from 16 tonnes to 40 tonnes GVW. The product launch is in line with the company’s aim to strengthen its presence in the heavy duty (HD) truck segment.  

The Pro 5000 HD range, which the company says is designed and developed to deliver top-notch reliability and optimised operational costs, is priced between Rs 16 lakh to 28 lakh, depending on the variants and the technology platform (EGR or SCR). It is powered by a new E694 engine (in two states of tune: 170hp and 190hp) equipped with intelligent i3 EGR technology and the Volvo Group’s Engine Management System 3.0. While the Pro 500 series trucks develop between 170-192hp, the Pro 6000 series trucks develop 180-240hp, and the premium Pro 8000 HD trucks produce between 280-330hp. Clearly, the new Pro 5000 series addresses a wider section of the HD market and according to the company, aims to ensure profitability at all levels.

Unveiling the Pro 5000 series in Mumbai today, Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles (pictured above), said: “With the Pro 5000 series, Eicher today has the widest range of HD trucks at various price-points to deliver superior value and suit the needs of all application segments of customers in the basic, value and premium category of trucks. The new E694 engine also includes advanced features based on the Volvo Group’s EMS 3.0 and offers first-in-the-industry features like ‘fuel coaching’ and cruise control at a competitive price. The HD trucks segment continues to be the biggest potential area of growth for us and the launch of the Eicher Pro 5000 Series will enable us to further enhance our market share in the segment.”

Eicher Trucks & Buses is offering the Pro 5000 series HD trucks with both Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as well as Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) engine technologies. While EGR facilitates recirculation of exhaust gases back into the engine intake to reduce NOx formation, SCR undertakes aftertreatment of exhaust gases with AdBlue (a urea solution) to reduce NOx into the N2, H20. The EGR-equipped trucks are priced lower and are aimed at operators who do less than 8,000 kilometres a month as compared to the longer-haul SCR-equipped models which are capable of over 10,000 kilometres a month.

Speaking to  Autocar Professional at the product reveal, SS Gill, senior vice-president & head (Heavy Duty Trucks), VECV, said: “The Pro 5000 range addresses a large section of the HD market and comes with robust aggregates. We are also making the latest technology available to consumers with these trucks.”

The Pro 5000 HD truck range benefits from ‘Fuel Coaching’, which is a smart and intuitive system that provides real-time guidance to the driver to drive in the best fuel economy zone. According to Aggarwal, “VECV is the only automaker in the country to have this advanced system.” While the system helps improve driver habits, used judiciously, it can help drive substantial fuel savings – even to the tune of 25-30 percent. Eicher Trucks & Buses, which has an elaborate driver training programme for the Pro 6000 and 8000 series, aims to expand the same to the Pro 5000 range. This programme trains drivers to use the Fuel Coaching system optimally, thereby helping the vehicle operator derive substantial benefits in terms of total cost of ownership.