MAZ-5440

The MAZ-5440, known by the name Prostor, is a Belarusian tractor unit for semi-trailers with a 4x2 wheel layout, built at the Minsk Automobile Plant since 1997 as part of the fourth generation of MAZ trucks. It succeeded the MAZ-5432 and MAZ-5433. Like the MAZ-6430 with its 6x4 layout and gross train mass of up to 44 tonnes, it was planned as the lighter companion, with a gross train mass of up to 32 tonnes. The first prototype was built in 1993 under the index MAZ-54462 and was tested through 1994. After acceptance trials in Belarusian haulage companies it was recommended for series production in 1996, and the first tractors of the family, the MAZ-54421, were built on 11 March 1997. The MAZ-54402 and MAZ-544021 followed late in 1997, meeting European requirements for long-haul work. A restyled MAZ-5440A9 with a modernised cab went into production in 2008, with series output starting in 2009, and many engine variants from Yaroslavl, Mercedes-Benz and MAN were offered.