OREANDA-NEWS. September 30, 2014. Russian transportation companies are increasingly buying the KAMAZ-5490 (M1842) tractor, which has technical and consumer qualities equal to its European counterparts.

After analyzing the habits of several motor transportation companies that have already incorporated KAMAZ-5490 tractors into their fleets, it is possible to compare the performance of the new Russian-produced tractor with European counterparts Iveco Stralis, MAN TGX, Scania R380, Mercedes-Benz Axor 1840LS, and Volvo FH16.

The operating costs for the KAMAZ tractor come out to just over 19 rubles per kilometer. Its closest competitor is the Iveco Stralis at 20 rubles 50 kopecks per kilometer. All others range from 21 to 25 kopecks per kilometer. The less-expensive KAMAZ-5490 also costs 65 kopecks per ton of cargo, per kilometer. European tractors cost much more, from 90 kopecks to 1.50 rubles per ton, per kilometer.

The Russian tractor has a niche in being the least expensive transportation automobile as compared to foreign competitors. Each model, including the Russian KAMAZ, has a range of 1 million kilometers. As part of a convoy, all of the vehicles are capable of carrying 36 tons of cargo. The KAMAZ-5490 is no exception, with all of its specifications matching those of its European counterparts.

Based on this data, it is possible to calculate how much time it will take for a commercial truck to recoup the funds invested into it. Taking into account operating costs and the prices for importing a tractor from abroad, models such as Iveco Stralis, MAN TGX, Scania R380, Mercedes-Benz Axor 1840LS, and Volvo FH16 can recoup their investment in 2.5 years. The KAMAZ-5490 will pay for itself in 1 year and 8 months. If a transportation company leases the commercial trucks, the return on the Russian tractor is 2 years and 4 months, the shortest time among all competitors in that price category, according to the KAMAZ press service. Return on investment for leased imported tractors takes about three years.

The Russian-made KAMAZ-5490 tractor was introduced in late 2013 and immediately won over potential consumers, as with proper maintenance and timely service it can help transportation companies turn a profit quicker and at a much lower price than with the tractor’s European counterparts.

KAMAZ is Russia’s largest truck producer, overseeing more than 150 subsidiaries located in Russia, CIS countries, and further abroad, including 12 major automobile manufacturing plants. KAMAZ has assembly plants in Vietnam, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.