OKA 4wd

OKA Australia
Industry Automotive
Founded 1986
Headquarters Bibra Lake, Western Australia
Products Four wheel drive trucks and buses
Production output
 1987-2008
Owner Reymer Pty Ltd
Number of employees
 50 at Australian peak (estimate)
An OKA used by the State Emergency Service of Western Australia.

OKA Australia was an Australian company that manufactured all terrain vehicles, particularly four wheel drive trucks and tour buses. OKA is currently owned by the holding company Reymer Pty Ltd.[1]

The OKA factory was in Bibra Lake, Western Australia. OKA 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. While fewer than 500 OKA vehicles were built,[2] elements of the company's designs and technology have been integrated into the vehicles of other manufacturers.

History

OKA started 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]

Having agreed on the blueprints, the group undertook a comprehensive market study covering over 1,200 mining companies, government departments, farmers, the Australian military 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.[1]

Soon after, the first production model, the XT, entered production. It was followed by the LT which was itself followed by the final 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.

In 1997, OKA licensed its technologies to Indian auto maker Hindustan Motors to produce their RTV brand of multi-utility vehicles.[3] It has been regarded as one of the most rollover prone vehicles[4] and was discontinued in 2008.[5] Initial models and prototypes were built in Australia however production was soon moved to India.[6]

On 24 August 2011, The Malay Mail carried an article regarding various investigations being carried out against OKA Australia, for 'allegations of misappropriation of millions of ringgit, missing accounting files and "stolen" intellectual property manuals.' Manuals valued at RM80 million had gone missing. They had contained trade information for the manufacture of all-terrain trucks and tour buses. Funds of the company had also been mysteriously siphoned out of Australia to a private account in Europe. There were also allegations of unpaid wages. Vell Paari, who controlled OKA 4WD through Reymer Pty Ltd, denied responsibility for the matters raised, saying that he spent most of his time in Kuala Lumpur.[7] Vell Paari is the son of Malaysia's former Minister of Works Samy Vellu.

Variants

Trucks

Buses

Leisure

References

  1. 1 2 3 OKA Press Release
  2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20121021203320/http://www.oka.com.au/
  3. ↑ http://business.mapsofindia.com/automobile/car-manufacturers/hindustan-motors.html
  4. ↑ ROLLOVER CRASHWORTHINESS OF A RURAL TRANSPORT VEHICLE USING MADYMO
  5. ↑ Hindustan Motors slams brakes on RTV
  6. ↑ http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/fe/daily/19970820/23255553.html
  7. ↑ The Malay Mail, 24 August 2011. Vell Paari’s Aussie firm crisis. URL: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/81003-vell-paari%E2%80%99s-aussie-firm-crisis
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