KAMAZ promises to launch the Compass 3 “passenger” truck by the end of the year

The KAMAZ press service reported that it will be the lightest truck in the line. Serial production will start before the end of 2024. We are talking about KAMAZ Compass 3.


It is not entirely clear why a model with a lifting capacity of one ton is needed. After all, there is already a Compass 5 - it fits into the passenger category, since it has a total weight of up to 3,5 tons.

However, there are some guesses. It would be naive to believe that KAMAZ marketers are not aware of what kind of trucks customers need. And it is desirable for the latter to receive a number of advantages.


First of all, cars with a “passenger” license are required. This is travel everywhere, no extra payments. But powerful frames and engines.

Accordingly, KAMAZ Compass 3 with a declared load capacity of 1 ton can cope with a weight one and a half, or even two times more. So it turns out that the lightest truck in the model range will turn out to be a full-fledged competitor to the Gazelle.

Let us remind you that the “Compass” series is generally atypical for KAMAZ. They traditionally worked on heavy trucks. Medium-tonnage trucks were made by GAZ and ZIL. And there was no competition in Soviet times - except perhaps the ambitions of engineers and managers.

But now every plant is trying to overtake its rivals, even in those niches where it has never worked before. The main reason for this is Chinese brands. They not only fill the Russian market where there are no competitors, but also displace domestic companies from the classes they inhabit.

This is called modern economics. Competition is the engine of progress; it provokes manufacturers to constantly develop, rather than rest on their laurels. The end client will benefit from this in any case.

The Compass line was created in collaboration with JAC Corporation. For example, cabins are imported from China. They are welded at the KAMAZ plant. The manufacturer plans to localize the panels and spar elements.


Now the plants that are part of KAMAZ PJSC are actively purchasing new equipment. The ultimate goal is to establish full-fledged production of cabins for the Compass line. As a result, they will become 100% domestic.

By the way, cabins come in different designs - wide, narrow, with or without a sleeping bag. This allows each client to choose exactly the modification of the truck that he needs.

It is difficult to say whether KAMAZ Compass 3 will be able to “move” GAZelle Next. The latter has been on the market for a long time and has managed to establish itself as a reliable and unpretentious machine. The cost will decide everything - if KAMAZ’s price turns out to be lower than that of a truck from the Gorky plant, then they will definitely buy the car.