OKA (truck)

Last updated

OKA Motor Company
Industry Automotive
Founded1986
Defunct2011
Headquarters,
ProductsFour wheel drive trucks and buses
Production output
circa 500
Website www.oka.com.au

OKA Motor Company manufactured cab over all terrain vehicles, particularly four wheel drive trucks and tour buses in Bibra Lake, Western Australia. It manufactured three consecutive models: the XT, LT and NT. These models were available in a variety of body styles including cab-chassis, single cab, dual cab, multi cab and bus.

Contents

History

State Emergency Service of Western Australia OKA SESWA OKA 4WD.jpg
State Emergency Service of Western Australia OKA
1995 OKA crew cab fire truck formerly used by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service but now used by a privately operated event fire service 1995 OKA fire truck (5608655873).jpg
1995 OKA crew cab fire truck formerly used by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service but now used by a privately operated event fire service

OKA Australia was founded in 1986 when a group of Australian mine executives discussed that each of them needed an off-road truck with a three-ton payload and nothing on the market at the time filled those requirements. Those executives formed a consortium and the OKA brand was born. [1] [2]

Having agreed on the blueprints, the group undertook a comprehensive market study covering over 1,200 mining companies, government departments, farmers, the Australian Defence Force and potential private users to establish the parameters for the design. In 1987, work on the first prototype began and in 1988, it underwent its first test. Prototypes continued to be produced even during production up until 1992. [3] In December 1994 OKA was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with Hicom taking a 11% shareholding. [4] [5] [6]

Soon after, the first production model, the XT, entered production. It was followed by the LT which was itself followed by the last model, the NT. These vehicles have been supplied to government departments, tour operators, private industries, mining industries, the military and recreational companies and were, aside from Australia, sold in Papua New Guinea and Africa. The development of adapted models for the UAE and European markets was commenced but was never completed.

OKAs were available mostly with the four cylinder Perkins Phaser engine, but provision was also made for the 6 cylinder Perkins Phaser. A model was made with a V8 diesel, for the UAE.

In 1997, OKA licensed its technologies to Indian auto maker Hindustan Motors to produce its RTV brand of multi-utility vehicles. [7] It has been regarded as one of the most rollover prone vehicles [8] and was discontinued in 2008. [9] Initial models and prototypes were built in Australia however production was soon moved to India. [10]

In 1999, OKA's largest shareholder, Malaysian entrepreneur Paari Vell took control of the company. [11]

In 2011 OKA was placed in administration after the discovery of misappropriation of funds and the theft of intellectual property manuals. [12] An attempt to recapitalise the company was unsuccessful and it ceased. [13] [14] Nearly 500 OKA vehicles were built. [15]

In 2018, a Perth-based investor who had been providing parts to owners acquired the brand rights and manufacturing facilities. The new company, OKA All Terrain Vehicles, is focused on supporting vehicles currently on the road as well as developing a new model. [16]

Variants

Trucks

Buses

Leisure

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van</span> Covered transportation vehicle

A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car. There is some variation in the scope of the word across the different English-speaking countries. The smallest vans, microvans, are used for transporting either goods or people in tiny quantities. Mini MPVs, compact MPVs, and MPVs are all small vans usually used for transporting people in small quantities. Larger vans with passenger seats are used for institutional purposes, such as transporting students. Larger vans with only front seats are often used for business purposes, to carry goods and equipment. Specially equipped vans are used by television stations as mobile studios. Postal services and courier companies use large step vans to deliver packages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hindustan Motors</span> Car manufacturing company in India

Hindustan Motors is an Indian automotive manufacturer based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is a part of the Birla Technical Services conglomerate. The company was the largest car manufacturer in India before the rise of Maruti Udyog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leyland Motors</span> Lorry and bus manufacturer

Leyland Motors Limited was a British vehicle manufacturer of lorries, buses and trolleybuses. The company diversified into car manufacturing with its acquisitions of Triumph and Rover in 1960 and 1967, respectively. It gave its name to the British Leyland Motor Corporation, formed when it merged with British Motor Holdings in 1968, to become British Leyland after being nationalised. British Leyland later changed its name to simply BL, then in 1986 to Rover Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenworth</span> American truck manufacturer

Kenworth Truck Company is an American truck manufacturer. Founded in 1923 as the successor to Gersix Motor Company, Kenworth specializes in production of heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. Headquartered in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Washington, Kenworth has been a wholly owned subsidiary of PACCAR since 1945, operating alongside sister company Peterbilt Motors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Silverado</span> Range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the top trim level from the Chevrolet C/K series, the Silverado is offered as a series of full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty trucks. The fourth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2019 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford F-Series</span> Series of pickup trucks manufactured by Ford

The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford since the 1948 model year. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks positioned above the midsize Ranger but below the larger Super Duty in the Ford truck lineup. Alongside the F-150, the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series, which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avia</span> Czech vehicle manufacturer

Avia Motors s.r.o. is a Czech automotive manufacturer. It was founded in 1919 as an aircraft maker, and diversified into trucks after 1945. As an aircraft maker it was notable for producing biplane fighter aircraft, especially the B-534. Avia ceased aircraft production in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seddon Atkinson</span> Company

Seddon Atkinson Vehicles Limited, was a manufacturer of large goods vehicles based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, was formed after the acquisition in 1970 of Atkinson Vehicles Limited of Preston by Seddon Diesel Vehicles Limited of Oldham. In 1974, the firm was acquired by International Harvester, which sold it in March 1984 to the Spanish group Enasa which made it a subsidiary of Pegaso. In 1990, it became part of Iveco which used the brand for various types of specialised vehicles in the United Kingdom. The range of models produced included EuroMover, Pacer and Strato, which are aimed at refuse collection, recycling and construction operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albion Motors</span>

Albion Motors was a Scottish automobile and commercial vehicle manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foden Trucks</span> Automobile manufacturer

Foden Trucks was a British truck and bus manufacturing company, which had its origins in Elworth near Sandbach in 1856. Paccar acquired the company in 1980, and ceased to use the marque name in 2006.

Bedford Vehicles, usually shortened to just Bedford, was a brand of vehicle manufactured by Vauxhall Motors, then a subsidiary of multinational corporation General Motors. Established in April 1931, Bedford Vehicles was set up to build commercial vehicles. The company was a leading international lorry brand, with substantial export sales of light, medium, and heavy lorries throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cutaway van chassis</span>

Cutaway van chassis are used by second stage manufacturers for a wide range of completed motor vehicles. Especially popular in the United States, they are usually based upon incomplete vans to be bigger or smaller than pickup trucks and SUVs made by manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors which are generally equipped with heavier duty components than most of their complete products. To these incomplete vehicles, a second stage manufacturer adds specific equipment and completes the vehicle. Common applications of this type of vehicle design and manufacturing includes small trucks, school buses, recreational vehicles, minibuses, and ambulances. The term "cutaway" can be somewhat of a misnomer in most of the vehicle's context since it refers to truck bodies for heavy-duty commercial-grade applications sharing a common truck chassis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agrale</span> Brazilian vehicles manufacturer

Agrale, previously called AGRISA, is a Brazilian vehicle manufacturer. Established in 1962, it is based in Caxias do Sul in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Agrale manufactures tractors, commercial vehicles, military vehicles, bus, chassis and engines. Tractors include both self-developed models, and ones based on Zetor designs. The company's current model line-up consists of pick-up trucks and the Marruá SUV. Agrale no longer produces motorcycles or scooters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Star Trucks</span> American truck manufacturer

Western Star Trucks Sales, Inc. is an American truck manufacturer headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America, which is an independent subsidiary of the multinational Daimler Truck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Minotour</span> Motor vehicle

The ThomasMinotour is a bus body manufactured by Thomas Built Buses since 1980. The smallest vehicle sold by the company, the Minotour is a bus body designed for cutaway van chassis. Primarily sold for school bus usage, the Minotour is also produced as a MFSAB or in specialized configurations specified by the customer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International TerraStar</span> Motor vehicle

The International TerraStar is a medium-duty truck that was manufactured by International Trucks from 2010 to 2015. The smallest conventional-cab truck ever produced by International, the TerraStar competed against chassis-cab vehicles derived from large pickup trucks along with the smallest versions of the Freightliner M2 and Hino 600. Though never officially designated by the company as a replacement for the 2006-2009 CityStar LCF COE, the TerraStar is of similar dimensions and GVWR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SML Isuzu</span> Indian vehicle manufacturer

SML Isuzu Limited (SMLI) is a commercial vehicle manufacturer established in 1983. SMLI produces and sells buses, ambulances and customized vehicles. Sumitomo Corporation and Isuzu Motors hold a 44% and 15% stake of the company respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freightliner Business Class M2</span> Motor vehicle

The Freightliner Business Class M2 is a model range of medium-duty trucks produced by Freightliner since the 2003 model year. The first generation of the Business Class developed entirely by Freightliner, the M2 replaced the FL-Series introduced in 1991. Serving as a Class 5-Class 8 product range, the M2 competes primarily against the International MV and the Ford F-650/F-750 Super Duty.

GreenPower Motor Company Inc. is a Canadian electric bus manufacturer and distributor in North America. The company fabricates multiple zero-emission models, including transit buses, school buses, and double decker buses. GreenPower headquarters are in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a sales office in Rancho Cucamonga, California; an assembly facility in Porterville, California; and a production facility in South Charleston, West Virginia. Its stock is traded on Nasdaq the United States.

Bollinger Motors is an American automobile manufacturer of electric vehicles based in Oak Park, Michigan.

References

  1. History Oka
  2. Export chance for vehicle builder Truck & Bus Transportation December 1992 page 12
  3. OKA's 4WDs are built to last Canberra Times 29 April 1994
  4. OKA Float Success paves the way for public listing Oka News issue 2 December 1994
  5. New Models Fleetline issue 235 March 1995 page 58
  6. OKA release half yearly report Oka News issue 4 April 1995
  7. Hindustan Motors Maps of India
  8. Rollover Crashworthiness of a rural transport vehicle using Madymo Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
  9. Hindustan Motors slams brakes on RTV Daily News & Analysis 3 October 2008
  10. Hindustan Motors unveils rural transport vehicle prototype The Indian Express 20 August 1997
  11. OKA revival in the making Business News 11 December 2018
  12. Vell Paari’s Aussie firm crisis Malay Mail 24 August 2011
  13. Oka seeks investor Australasian Bus & Coach 2 December 2011
  14. Corporate OKA
  15. Home Oka
  16. Pownall, Mark. "OKA revival in the making". No. 11 December 2018. Business News . Retrieved 5 July 2022.