For a long time steel constructed fuel tanks used on trucks have presented internal corrosion failures, caused by the high level of suprum present in the Brazilian fuel, resulting in damages to the engine injection system. To solve this problem Autolatina - Trucks Division, after deep study involving several different types of materials and their characteristics (conforming, security, cost, weight, recycling, replacement, etc) decided to develop and invest in a polyethylene fuel tank of high volumetric capacity, for vehicles from 11 to 35 ton GCW, attending the Brazilian market necessities due to the large distances throughout this country, and certified considering the most critical international acceptance criteria.
USING past experience acquired on development of plastic fuel tanks for passenger car (1988) and pick-ups (1991) Autolatina initiated by the definition of a partner with capacity in terms of facilities and knowhow regarding to the production of high capacity fuel tanks. Vendor Unipac which belongs to the Jacto Group has been selected, since they are producing blow moulded tanks for agriculture implements since 1972, and invited to face this challenge together with Autolatina, in a process where Simultaneous Engineering concept was enphasized by both Companies.
The development of fuel tank constructed in high density / high molecular weight polyethylene started at the end of 1990, using materials selected from previous designs and specifically developed to obtain blow moulded fuel tanks due to its characteristics of soldering, permeability, weather resistance, fire resistance, pressure resistance, etc.