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Automotive

The OX flatpack truck moves into pre-production and on to India

By Nick Lavars
April 23, 2018
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The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
The Ox flat pack truck was conceived as light and durable all-terrain vehicle that, when disassembled, can packed into a shipping container six at a time
Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
The Ox flat pack truck was conceived as light and durable all-terrain vehicle that, when disassembled, can packed into a shipping container six at a time
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
The Ox flat pack truck was conceived as light and durable all-terrain vehicle that, when disassembled, can packed into a shipping container six at a time
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018
The Ox flat pack truck was conceived as light and durable all-terrain vehicle that, when disassembled, can packed into a shipping container six at a time
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
The Ox flatpack truck is built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people
Renowned automotive designer Gordon Murray and the Ox truck
Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018
Inside the Ox flatpack truck
Once at the destination, the Ox flat pack truck can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours
View gallery - 23 images

When it first rolled onto the scene as a prototype in 2013, the OX pointed to a future where lightweight, high-payload trucks could be shipped to developing nations, put together within a day and then used to cart people and cargo over rough terrain. We've just gotten a little closer to this reality, with Shell commissioning a pre-production version to be shipped off to India this year.

Built to carry 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) and seat up to 13 people, the OX was conceived as light and durable all-terrain vehicle that, when disassembled, can packed into a shipping container six at a time. Once at the destination, it can be put together by three trained professionals in around 12 hours.

They can then be used to move vital goods like food, water and medicine around areas with under-developed road infrastructure, and provide people living in rural areas with more mobility options. Oil giant Shell is looking to bring the OX to India, funding a bespoke prototype that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018.

Shell is funding a bespoke prototype of the Ox flat pack truck that will be shipped off in the latter part of 2018

It will be teaming up with renowned automotive designer Gordon Murray for the effort, along with manufacturer Global Vehicle Trust. Once in India, Shell says an outreach program will be set up to get things up an running.

"The OX to India demonstration will see the concept validated and discussed on the ground in a real world setting," said Huibert Vigeveno, Executive Vice President, Shell Global Commercial. "We know limited mobility in hard-to-reach communities in developing economies can restrict access to basic services, and can limit the effectiveness of efforts to improve the quality of life. The OX has the potential to broaden access to transport possibilities and all the resulting benefits that come with this."

Source: OX GVT (PDF)

View gallery - 23 images

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AutomotiveTruckIndiaFlatpackShell
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Nick Lavars
Nick has been writing and editing at New Atlas for over six years, where he has covered everything from distant space probes to self-driving cars to oddball animal science. He previously spent time at The Conversation, Mashable and The Santiago Times, earning a Masters degree in communications from Melbourne’s RMIT University along the way.
9 comments
Jose Gros-Aymerich
Nice truck prototype, but why don't provide local makers with financial and technical help to build by themselves? The approach reported limits the local industry growth, by shrinking market size. Do they fear these constructors making hard concurrence later? For extreme climates, air cooling is better, it will work same under Artic freezing or burning Sahara desert conditions. I'd say: A time to test valve-less engines, see Douglas Self site
Mike Vidal
This could make a neat little off-road camper. With all the safety rules here in the US though, you could never sell it here.
RainerSchulte
Volkswagen had a nearly similar concept in the 80-ies for third world countries like Africa coming in a CKD package. The cabin every workshop could bend from sheet metal. The Indian concept car is badly designed as a 4 WD. A ridiculous ground clearance for Indian/ African roads, rims minimum 16". Motor in a bad position-too low for river crossings and cooling will be a problem at 50ºC India can get. Too low back bed- affecting midsection ground clearance if going over rocky roads or crossed obstacles. Strange gear stick at the left side (only for British influenced countries). They should look at our Toyota Hilux 4x4 Rural transport camionetas in Peru. Loading area at least 80 cm above terrain- so nothing gets wet if crossing a stream. Driver seat in the center? I like to be able to jump out of the car fast if something goes wrong. OX needs a redesign urgently.
Nik
My first impression, is that for a vehicle to be used on unmade roads, the wheels are far too small, and the ground clearance insufficient. The designers have only to look at military vehicles or Russian cross country trucks, for the general design concepts. Having experienced driving in monsoon countries, this vehicle would be bogged in very rapidly in the monsoon season on an unmade road, and become utterly useless. Driving through a puddle on a fully made up road doesn't come close. Double the wheel size, and the ground clearance, and that would be a good starting point. Designers should at least try to experience the environment where their designs will be used, before even starting the design process. In addition, given the tendency for gross overloading of any vehicle used in India, like this; https://imgflip.com/memetemplate/20501686/Indian-Train the suspension will need to be capable of at least twice the intended design load. Those shown look utterly puny. I guess it's back to the drawing board chaps!
Gregg Eshelman
Probably be a failure like the Africar http://www.oldwoodies.com/feature-africar.htm
ljaques
Cool little truck that should be able to do many things in remote parts of the world. It would never be considered a true offroad beastie with the simple 2WD and sedan tires, but it could serve many people well, I'm sure. With the 2,000kg weight capacity, I'll bet it's a b*tch to drive unloaded. Curious to see how much it's going to cost and how it will stand up to actual nastyarse conditions.
James Donohue
If they were trying to create a 4-wheeled Tuk Tuk , I think they succeeded. Tuk Tuks are motorized 3-wheelers .
ADVENTUREMUFFIN
Shell, please consider your impacts before implementation. Road building is a disaster in 3rd world countries, destroying the heritage treks used for centuries. Roads last a few months as they are not designed to take care of erosion, water drainage. Last a few months at most. Economic leakage created through the purchasing of fuels, vehicles in areas that can least afford a loss of economy. Why not invest in fuel and transportation approaches that do not further disseminate 3rd world countries? Think rail, trams-ideas outside the fading box of roads and trucks.
Towerman
But is it electric !! ??
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