Tatra Trucks, a.s., also styled TATRA TRUCKS, is a Czech carmaker focused on heavy trucks. According to its own presentation, it continues a tradition reaching back to the middle of the 19th century and ranks among the oldest carmakers in the world.[1]
Name and beginnings
The inscription TATRA first appeared on vehicles in 1919. According to the company, these were the first series-produced trucks, designated NW TL2 and NW TL4, whose production began in 1914.[1]
Production and customers
Production consists mainly of heavy trucks with a chassis concept that the company describes as unique. Besides off-road capability and stability, it also cites long service life and reliability in adverse climates.[1] The range includes the TATRA PHOENIX model for commercial operation and the TATRA FORCE and TATRA 810M models intended for special use in rescue, defence or industrial missions.[1]
The company operates in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as abroad. It supplies vehicles to armies, fire brigades, state institutions and industrial enterprises.[1]
Competitions
According to the company, Tatra vehicles have taken part in Dakar-type competitions for almost four decades, from the Dakar Rally to the Africa Eco Race.[1]
Ownership structure
Tatra Trucks is a member of the industrial-technology group CSG, which according to the company's website brings together more than a hundred manufacturing, development and trading firms in several European countries and in the USA. It employs over 14 thousand people and its revenues, according to the same source, exceed 6 billion euros. The group is organised into two divisions, CSG Defence Systems and CSG Ammo+. According to its website, Tatra is also a member of Promet Group, a family company based in Ostrava, which oversees more than forty companies in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and engineering.[1]
Chinese sanctions list
Czech Television, citing the agency AFP, reported that Tatra Trucks is one of the firms placed by China on its export sanctions list. The agency Reuters reported that China will, with immediate effect, stop supplying dual-use goods, that is, goods usable both for civilian and military purposes, to the entities on the list. The European Commission, according to its spokeswoman, analysed Beijing's step.[2]