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Komatsu Enters Wide Body Mining Truck Market with HW70 — First Units Delivered in Indonesia
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Komatsu Enters Wide Body Mining Truck Market with HW70 — First Units Delivered in Indonesia

By Heavy-shift 3 min read
Komatsu Enters Wide Body Mining Truck Market with HW70 — First Units Delivered in Indonesia
Komatsu Enters Wide Body Mining Truck Market with HW70 — First Units Delivered in Indonesia

Komatsu Enters Wide Body Mining Truck Market with HW70 — First Units Delivered in Indonesia

Komatsu has officially entered the rapidly growing wide body mining truck segment with the launch of the HW70, a 70-tonne payload truck produced in partnership with Chinese OEM Tonly. The first five units have already been delivered to mining contractor PT Riung Mitra Lestari for deployment at the Borneo Prima project site in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The move marks a strategic expansion for Komatsu, which has long dominated the rigid dump truck segment with models like the HD465 and HD785. By entering the wide body space, the Japanese manufacturer is positioning itself in a market segment that has seen explosive growth, particularly across Southeast Asia, South America, and Central Asia.

The HW70: A 70-Tonne Workhorse

The HW70 is based on the Tonly TLD93A platform, produced under a partnership agreement between Komatsu and Tonly in China. The trucks are imported into Indonesia by PT United Tractors Tbk, Komatsu's long-time distributor in the country.

Key specifications include an automatic transmission with a 6×4 wheel configuration and an electronically controlled Weichai six-cylinder engine, paired with a FAST transmission. An Allison transmission is available as an option. The truck has a maximum speed of 43 km/h, a ground clearance of 400 mm, and measures 10 metres in length and 3.75 metres in width. It rides on 16.00R25 tyres designed with longitudinal and transverse grooves to improve traction and load distribution.

Komatsu emphasises that the HW70 combines a reliable yet lightweight design, offering longer service life and lower transportation costs. A reinforced truck body structure provides strong impact resistance, while a multi-stage damping suspension system and rear leaf springs improve driving comfort. Safety features include a full air brake system with hydraulic retarder, a protective frame design with anti-collision beam and bumper, and a three-stage air filtration system.

Wide Body Truck Market: A Rapidly Growing Segment

The wide body truck market has been completely dominated by Chinese OEMs — Tonly, LGMG, SANY, XCMG, Sinotruk, LiuGong, and Zoomlion — which have established deep relationships with autonomous haulage system providers such as EACON and CiDi. In China's Xinjiang Province alone, single coal mine operations now run over 500 autonomous wide body trucks.

Caterpillar has already entered the space through its ownership of SEM Machinery, which produces the 60-tonne 3090F and 75-tonne 3110F models for the Chinese market, as well as the 707 rebuild concept truck for global markets. The 707 recently saw deliveries via dealer Barloworld to a mining customer in South Africa's Northern Cape.

Komatsu's entry adds a major global brand to a segment that has traditionally been the domain of Chinese manufacturers. The company's established service network and brand recognition in mining markets could give it a significant advantage, particularly in Indonesia where Komatsu has operated for decades.

Strengthening Indonesian Manufacturing

Komatsu's push into wide body trucks is complemented by its expanding manufacturing footprint in Indonesia. The company recently opened a new 15,000 m² factory in Cibitung, Bekasi, West Java, focused on larger hydraulic excavators. This facility joins existing Komatsu operations in Cibitung, Cilincing, and Cikarang. The HD465 and HD785 rigid dump trucks continue to be produced at the Cilincing plant.

United Tractors, the distributor for both the HW70 and Komatsu's rigid trucks, also offers Scania and Quester heavy-duty tipper trucks alongside Komatsu excavators, graders, dozers, and wheel loaders — giving the company an exceptionally broad equipment portfolio for the Indonesian mining sector.

B50 Biodiesel and the Indonesian Context

The HW70 rollout coincides with Indonesia's introduction of a mandatory B50 biodiesel program in July 2026, requiring a 50% palm oil and 50% diesel fuel blend. All new Komatsu equipment sold by United Tractors is compatible with B50, as is the Tonly TLD93A platform on which the HW70 is based. The mandate is expected to increase mine operating costs by 3% to 5% for existing equipment requiring modifications.

Strategic Outlook

By entering the wide body truck segment, Komatsu is covering more ground in the mining haulage market — from the HW70 at 70 tonnes through to its rigid trucks and up to ultra-class haulers. The partnership with Tonly gives Komatsu access to Chinese manufacturing efficiencies and an existing wide body platform, while Komatsu's global service network and brand trust provide a distribution advantage that pure Chinese OEMs have struggled to replicate outside their home market.

With wide body truck demand growing strongly in Brazil, South Africa, Central Asia, and across Indonesia's coal mining regions, Komatsu's timing appears strategic. The HW70 gives mining contractors in these markets a new option — global brand backing with local manufacturing and support.

Sources

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