If IKEA 'puts together' a vehicle for the masses

[botsapper]

Gordon Murray, famous designer of the McLaren F1, designed the Global Vehicle Trust OX, flat-pack truck. The all-terrain high mobility truck was primarily designed for people in developing counties, often the most remotest regions of the globe. At 4.2M x 2M it could seat 13 passengers and have a 1,900 kg payload. Powered by a 2.2 turbo diesel with a 5-speed manual transmission. The most unique engineering aspect is the OX is delivered in a compact stacked flat-pack pallet. It could be put together with the most basic tools; allen key, screwdriver and a diagrammed instruction booklet. The OX can be built by three un-trained people in 11 1/2 hours. The front cab can sit three people and the driver sits in the middle seat, making it a versatile configuration for the world's different (LHD or RHD) traffic rule directions. The light steel frame chassis is covered by bonded wood composite panels (could be easily replaced with plywood) and can be easily removed. The tailgate can be used as a ramp. The flat glass windshield panels are interchangeable and easily replaced.
Great utility vehicle, anywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihA2-DSzF6k

[MetroMPG]

Interesting.

I would think that it would need to use easily available components (for servicing/repair) wherever it's sold/used.

EG: the drivetrain from a popular vehicle.

[jray3]

Third-world cities are already choking on diesel exhaust. That 2.2l Turbo is the most expensive part of the truck already; why not offer an electric version? Sure, it won't haul produce from the remote villages, but sure could distribute it around the city. Second-life EV battery packs are more affordable EVery day, and a LEAF pack or two should fit nicely below the cargo floor.
The i-MiEV drivetrain is compact and robust, originally a forklift design, and has a usage history in JDM Minicab mMiEV trucks and vans hauling literally a ton of fish uphill from their ports.

[freebeard]

I saw this and was going to make a comparison to Inrekor which is (or was) located in Dorset, UK.

https://www.google.com/search?q=inrekor

Apparently their website is gone. They tease us with a flat-pack VW Beetle chassis and then go for the big play with EVs and now they're gone?

It's not that kind of flat-pack; no flatter than the depth of that pre-welded ladder frame. And the cab isn't panelized, it's framed up and filled in. But still, fording a meter of water and/or carrying 2 tons is pretty impressive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksw...sistransporter


It's a proven platform (FWD off-road truck). 'The Hormiga' had a 1 ton capacity.

[MobilOne]

If by "bonded wood composite", they meant pressed board, it's definitely an IKEA product.

[botsapper]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It's not that kind of flat-pack; no flatter than the depth of that pre-welded ladder frame. And the cab isn't panelized, it's framed up and filled in. But still, fording a meter of water and/or carrying 2 tons is pretty impressive.
It's a proven platform (FWD off-road truck). 'The Hormiga' had a 1 ton capacity.

In the 70's VW had a slew of very basic trucks and even more basic 'beetle' chassis vehicles for Third World markets. Hammers and bailing wire used to put it together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WHsHP8xxRo

[freebeard]

The other thing VW have done over the years is to ship a CKD kit for local assembly, often with a certain percentage of local content. The OX is more that than a flat-pack.

While I agree that it needs an electric version, what the OX brings to the table is 5-across seating () and the identical leading/trailing arm suspension at each corner.

Fording 1 meter of water is military-grade performance.

[niky]

Yeah, we had those things... back in the days when VW was a major player in the Philippines.



Called the Trakbayan - portmanteau of Trak (truck) and Bayan (nation) - literally national truck.

I like the idea very much. By having it hand-assembled at the country of use, they can also bypass taxation in some markets by tying up with local "manufacturers" who won't have to invest in much equipment for assembly.

[Hersbird]

I would like an OX. Did I miss somewhere the expected price? I hope they do a US kit car or UTV version, that is assuming they don't want 20k for it.

[niky]

They say 10-15k pounds.

Which makes it 13-20k US.