Nissan's world truck
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by Bill Godwin
THE FIRST of a new generation of Japanese mediumweight trucks for world markets has been unveiled in South Africa.
The Magnis Truck Corporation of South Africa has launched the new Nissan CM range of trucks which is also soon to spearhead a drive into the North American market and which may become a new competitor in Europe.
The Nissan CM eight to 15 tonne gvw range was introduced at the recent International Transport Exhibition in Johannesburg which, though overshadowed by the South African state of emergency, provided a valuable up-date on the country's commercial vehicle industry.
At a time when there is severe restraint in foreign investment in South Africa, Nissan's commitment to manufacture the new vehicle range at the modern plant near Pretoria will further strengthen Japanese impact in South Africa.
The Nissan CM range now being introduced in South Africa uses locally-built Atlantis Diesel engines as well as a high proportion of other locally-sourced components.
The new models are an important gap filler in the Magnis programme — which also includes Magirus (Iveco)-de rived vehicles — and will be marketed in tractive unit, rigid and tipper versions with wide and narrow cab options.
Smallest of the new CM range is the CMS, on 16in wheels, to permit low loading height and cab access.
This model is also the first South African-built truck fitted with the Atlantis (ADE) 314C altitude-compensated engine.