OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2012. The legendary conqueror of harsh terrains KrAZ-255Б turns 45 years! In 1967, this Kremenchug cross-country truck went into mass production, reported the press-centre of KrAZ. 

This model has won nationwide love, it is known not only among army men but also among civilians. It was well liked by drivers for successful combination of reliability, durability, endurance and serviceability. Operators especially admired its cross-country ability increased due to use of new wide cross-section tires with central tire inflation system. They said with conviction: “Laptyozhnik (a nickname given by drivers) will pass where other wheeled vehicles have no chances “.

This truck has seen many challenges: combats, peace-support missions, emergency relief operations; it had no superior in harsh environment and on rugged terrains. No wonder that almost a quarter of total output during Soviet period is accounted for by this model.

Challenging life and extraordinary longevity (quarter of century in mass production and half century in the service) marked the way of the KrAZ-255Б truck.

In 1993, the automobile plant withdrawn this model from production in spite of considerable orders.

The Kremenchug automobile plant produced and supplied about 82 000 of military trucks KrAZ-255Б/Б1 to Soviet Army, the Warsaw pact countries, armies of other countries within 23 years.

However, the age has not affected the truck; it is still in service with army and enterprises of national economy of over 50 countries and will remain at duty for many years.