OKA (truck)

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.

OKA Motor Company
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1986
Defunct2011
Headquarters
Bibra Lake
,
Western Australia
ProductsFour wheel drive trucks and buses
Production output
circa 500
Websitewww.oka.com.au

History
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

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
  • Chassis cab
  • Single cab pick-up
  • Dual Cab
  • Multicab
  • RTV MultiVan - 7 seats in the module
  • RTV Combi - 8 seats in module

Buses
  • RTV Standard A - 14 including the driver. The 12 seats in the rear ride in fixed plastic seats
  • RTV Standard B- 12 seats coach style
  • RTV Standard C - 12 seat luxury bus
  • XT/LT/NT Tour Bus - 12 seat

Leisure
  • Pop-top van - factory built raisable roof with caravan conversion by third-party outfitters

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.
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