Author: Lan, don’t growl
16 June 2022 13:36
Tags: MAZ trucks truckers reliability rust equipment tractors trucks
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Is six years a long time or a short one for a new MAZ? We met with the driver Alexander, who drives a 2011 MAZ-5440E9 with a Euro-5 engine. The car has already driven 460,000 km - what faults have been identified?
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— In 2011, our company needed a new tractor. At first we thought of buying a new DAF in Europe, but with customs clearance it would have cost 90,000 euros. We bought this MAZ for 50,000, almost half the price. Naturally, having saved, something had to be sacrificed.
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The history of the creation of the MAZ 5440 series began in the 1990s. After the collapse of the USSR, the Minsk Automobile Plant experienced great difficulties with orders. In this regard, we needed a car that would appeal to European consumers. To create a high-quality tractor and a special image, the Minsk Automobile Plant began to cooperate with the German concern MAN, a well-known manufacturer of trucks. As a result, in 1997 the company introduced a new car - MAZ 5440.
The main priority of the Minsk Automobile Plant was the European market, but the developers were well aware that the main buyer of the new product would be Russian consumers. That is why the MAZ 5440 had to simultaneously have significant quality and a moderate price. Many innovative solutions appeared in the design of the production version, but the cost of the model increased slightly. Almost immediately after the premiere, the MAZ 5440 was certified in the Russian Federation. The model has gained enormous popularity on the Russian market. Having become a serious competitor to KamAZ products, the Minsk truck, at least, did not lose in this competition.
The MAZ 5440 had noticeable advantages over Western tractors of a similar class. The reinforced suspension and considerable cost made the model a more profitable purchase. Thanks to its special design, the car could travel on poor quality roads for a long time. Without major repairs, the MAZ 5440 could survive a major overhaul. Manufacturers achieved compliance with the Euro-3 standard, which allowed the vehicle to carry out international transportation as part of a road train. The MAZ 5440 borrowed some design elements from MAN models, which were considered at that time one of the best in Europe. As a result, the successor to the MAZ 5432 has become more spacious, cozy and comfortable. Such changes had a positive impact on his popularity.
MAZ 5440 received not only an advanced design. The appearance of the car has become more attractive. It was made as similar as possible to its European counterparts. To reduce weight, high-strength plastic was used in the operator's cabin, and large mirrors were used to improve visibility. The tractor was equipped with one of several engines adapted for harsh working conditions. The engines were distinguished by their unpretentious operation and simplicity of design.
In 2000, the premiere of the modernized version of the MAZ 5440 took place. The A8 model became a breakthrough in the class of truck tractors. The combination of affordable cost, significant reliability, comfort and ease of driving has significantly increased the popularity of the car. Production of the A8 version ended in 2009. Currently, the Minsk Automobile Plant produces several modifications of the MAZ 5440 (A9, B9, M9 and others).
All versions of the family are designed for large cargo transportation of building materials, household chemicals and other types of cargo. MAZ 5440 is a reliable commercial vehicle that remains one of the best in its class.
