New stars rising in the East
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The economic resurgence of the former Eastern Bloc countries has encouraged a number of Western manufacturers to import vehicles, assemble kits or develop joint ventures.
At the same time, local firms such as Star, Liaz and Tatra have gained access to better components. Examples of all these trends were really seen at the Poznan show in Poland and the Brno show in the Czech Republic.
Korean manufacturer Daewoo has van-building ventures in both countries, but more familiar names are also prominent: LDV sends kits for assembly by Andoria in Poland, and gave the first foreign showing of the new Pilot and Convoy range at the Brno show. Dennis has had success with fire engines, and British-made POP axles and suspension units have been fitted to trailers from at least eight Polish
manufacturers. by Bill Godwin
• The facelifted Star type 1142, seen here at the Poznan show, runs at just 15 tonnes GCW, with a 147hp (110kw) engine and ZF gearbox. Other Star models are available with Mercedes-Benz or Perkins Phaser engines.
• Tatra's 'new' all-steel cab, seen at Brno, is due to go into production next year—in fact it is an update of a 2 2 -year-old design. Almost BO% of production is destined for export. Some tipper variants feature an air/steel suspension with bellows mounted transversely inboard of the chassis. • Dennis Specialist Vehicles has found useful markets in the Czech republic and Slovakia. After showing this Rapier at the Brno show it sold six similar vehicles and a Sabre water tender to a brigade in Prague.
• Also at Brno was this heavy duty BSS-Metaco tipper trailer. The company is fitting similar trailers with UK-made ROR running gear.
• Daewoo-Polska's revised Lublin range of light commercials takes most sales up to 3.5 tonnes in Poland—the Poznan show demonstrated the wide variety of bodywork available. • Lica now assembles the Steyr-based 12.18 PB 12tonner at its Zvolen plant in Slovakia. The engine is a 181hp (135kW) Steyr unit, mated to a ZF ninespeed gearbox.