The transfer of 50 new KAMAZ-5490 trucks was officially signed and transferred to the transport company “Iteco” at the "KAMAZ centre, Nizhny Novgorod, in the presence of Alexander Gerasimenko, the Minister of Transport and Roads for Nizhny Novgorod region, and Pavel Kanichev, the Deputy Director of OJSC KAMAZ for Sales and Service, on 26 November 2014. In April 2014, the company "Iteco" issued a tender to supply 300 new units of road trains during 2014-2015. At the end of August 2014, the results of the tender were summarized and Kamaz-5490 was announced the winner to supply the first 50 units incorporating semi-trailers, the total contract value was estimated at 200 million rubles.
Alexandr Gerasimenko stated that this event made a significant impact in Nizhniy Novgorod region. Every 50 vehicles manufactured will create 70 new jobs. The revenue created from this contract will be more than 23 million rubles per annum and will rise year on year. Choosing this model of vehicle will not only increase the economy of the region but will also benefit local manufactures and domestic producers within the area. This is of high importance for country as a whole especially during the sanctions from the East. Such circumstances as renewing company vehicles and expanding fleets show that investors are not afraid of any sanctions and believe in the stability of the country’s economic climate.
At the ceremony of transfer Pavel Kanichev also stated to the audience that the KAMAS-5490 is a new generation of vehicle for professional long haulage drivers which has been jointly developed and produced by the manufactures, KAMAS and DAIMLER. Comparing this model type to any other prototype used for long distance haulage, shows that it has the lowest overall running cost in its range. The operating cost for KAMAS is measured at just over 19 rubles per kilometre. The less-expensive KAMAZ-5490 also costs 65 kopecks per ton of cargo per kilometre. European tractors cost more, from 90 kopecks to 1.50 rubles per ton per kilometre.
