Uttar Pradesh recorded 54% and 88% growth in MHCVs in the second and third quarter of FY18, respectively.That helped make it the second-largest heavy truck market after Maharashtra, overtaking Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. SIAM is yet to publish data for the year to March. “Pickup in execution of road projects and affordable housing and clampdown on overloading have resulted in MHCV growth.”He also said that fleet operators were increasingly opting for trucks of higher tonnage due to better cost economics. Trucks with five axles, which have a capacity of more than 25 tonnes, are gaining since their cost per tonne is cheaper by 15-22% than three-axle vehicles.According to Wagh, five-axle trucks now account for 60% of the heavy truck volume compared with 10% two years ago. The demand for large trucks in UP has increased to 2,800-3,000 units a month from 700-800 units a few months ago.SP Singh, a senior fellow and coordinator at the Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training, said that pent-up demand, attractive financing options and higher demand for trucks used in road construction are boosting truck demand in UP.

Source: Economic Times April 07, 2018 02:37 UTC