TaTa — AUTOinCAR

MOTOR EXPO 2008 Thailand SUCCESS BOOSTS TATA SALES

December 15th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, TaTa

Tata Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd is expecting sales of its vehicles in Thailand to increase in the period from the year end through to 2009.
The company’s confidence is borne out by the number of orders attracted at the Thailand International Motor Expo for the Xenon 2.2-litre common-rail diesel and the Super CNG with its combination of economic fuel use and low emission levels.
“The recent Motor Expo gave us an effective platform on which to present new experiences to our customers and visitors to the show,” said Abhichet Sitakalin, Sales Director of Tata Motors (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
“With the realization that Tata’s new technology was significantly different from others in the market; customers added the Xenon pickup to their list of choices when making the decision to purchase a new truck.”
The main factor that persuaded customers to place orders was the new, economical technology that would lead to savings on fuel and low maintenance costs, and eventually, to increased income.
Tata sold a total of 101 Xenon trucks in both diesel and CNG versions at the Motor Expo. In addition, sales through dealerships around the country have been rather satisfactory.
The positive customer reaction at the Motor Expo indicates that during the period from the end of the year through to next year, Tata sales will continue to grow. The company plans year-end activities at Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udorn Thani and other provinces in order to reach customers in rural areas and introduce Tata products to potential customers.
“Corporate customers are another important group who depend on large numbers of vehicles for delivery,” said Abichet. “Many companies are now expressing the intention of switching to CNG vehicles, and although oil prices are on the low side at the moment, the price is sure to rise in the future – and it’s the future that these companies are looking to in terms of economy and value for money.”

Tata Xenon Super CNG first sign at MOTOR EXPO 2008 Thailand

November 24th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, TaTa

Tata Motors (Thailand) is launching the Xenon Super CNG pickup truck at the forthcoming Bangkok International Motor Expo 2008, starting November 29. The TATA Xenon Super CNG is Thailand’s first pickup truck with a factory-installed 100-per cent CNG system. It offers one of the better energy-saving options available in Thailand and therefore one of the more cost-effective alternatives for the Thai customer.

The Xenon Super CNG X-tend Cab CLE is being introduced at a special price of ฿ 519,000.

Speaking on the introduction of this first-of-a-kind pickup vehicle, Mr. Ajit Venkataraman, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd, said, “We are very pleased to be a part of Thailand’s automobile industry and to provide options to Thai customers that are both innovative and distinctive. Tata Motors’ pickup trucks are designed keeping in mind the requirements of pickup vehicle customers - low operating cost through low fuel consumption and low cost of maintenance. Vehicles that use alternative fuels, especially compressed natural gas (CNG) like the Tata Xenon Super CNG, are going to be more advantageous as the government’s policy is to maintain CNG price to at least half of the price of diesel. We are confident that customers will find the Xenon Super CNG a vehicle of their choice.”

The Xenon Super CNG comes with a 2.1 litre, DOHC multi-point injection engine with a maximum output of 115 hp and a maximum torque of 175 nm at 3,750 rpm. Its CNG system and components are state-of-the-art. The gas line is from Sandvik (Germany) and Swagelok (USA), the cylinder valve is from OMB (Italy) and the ECU processes data through various Bosch (Germany) and Valeo (France) sensors.

Compression ratio of the engine is appropriate for CNG. This ensures that combustion in the engine is always smooth. In addition, the engine is durable, fuel efficient and easy to maintain.

Tata Motors gears up for eco-car project in Thailand

October 26th, 2008 — eco-car segment

Tata Motors (Thailand) is planning to make substantial investments for its eco car project following approval from the Board of Investment (BOI) in April. The company is working with the BOI to finalise the project details.

The government’s eco car policy mandates all manufacturers to meet stringent emission and safety requirements, including the Euro 4 emission norms and crash compliance. Tata Motors is in the process of developing the vehicle to meet these requirements as well as local customers’ preferences.

The company is evaluating land options with several industrial estates as a 500 rai plot will be needed for the construction of the manufacturing facility.

According to the regulations, all manufacturers should start their eco car productions within 66 months of project approval. Tata Motors plans to start production within this timeframe.

Will ‘Tata Nano’ roll-out coincide with Ratan Tata’s 71st birthday?

October 12th, 2008 — TaTa

Call it coincidence or history repeating itself, the world’s least expensive car ‘Nano’ is likely to be rolled out around the time Ratan Tata celebrates his 71st birthday on December 28, just as the ‘Indica’ was launched a decade ago when he turned 61.
According to informed sources, Tata Motors is working on a plan to launch the ‘People’s Car’, as Tata fondly refers to, to coincide with his birthday with about 10,000 units being readied to be rolled-out from the company’s facilities in Pune and Pantnagar.

Vendor sources also said, already parts for about 12,000 units of Nano have been dispatched to Tata’s both Pune and Pantnagar facilities.

They added that initially only the base model of Nano would hit the roads this year.

Tata Motors introduces top-end variants on the Indigo CS

October 10th, 2008 — TaTa

Tata Motors today announced the launch of three new fully loaded variants on its popular Tata Indigo CS range. The Tata Indigo CS - Compact Sedan, launched at the Auto Expo at New Delhi in January 2008, has received an overwhelming response from customers across the country making the Indigo range clock over 84% growth this fiscal at an average of 4,400 units per month.
The new variants are the petrol GLX model and two diesel LX models - in the Turbo-charged Diesel with Intercooler and DICOR (Direct Injection Common Rail) engine options. All three models will offer front and rear powered windows, a rear windscreen defogger and central locking to enhance customer comfort and security. The exteriors of the car on these variants will sport classy looking body coloured rub-rails with chrome inserts and body coloured ORVMs (Outer Rear View Mirrors). The interiors - beige for petrol and charcoal black for diesel - will offer a new look front console. The premium seat fabric and sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel will further add to the plush feel inside the cabin.

Tata Motors unveils Indica Vista now

September 3rd, 2008 — TaTa

Tata Motors recently launched the new generation of the country’s first and only fully indigenous car — the Indica Vista at a function at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai. Launched first in 1998, the Indica achieved its highest sale of 144,690 nos. in 2006-07, and exited 2007-08 as the second largest selling model in the industry.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, “The second generation Indica Vista showcases the progress Tata Motors has made over the last several years of its first outing in the passenger car business in design, quality, technology, performance and refinement.

Tata Motors profit falls 30 pct on forex

August 1st, 2008 — TaTa

Tata Motors Ltd , India’s top vehicle maker, saw its first quarter profit drop 30 percent, as expected, on foreign exchange losses and rising input costs, and said margins would remain under pressure.

Tata Motors, which is due to launch the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, around October, will seek to protect margins through cost reductions, price increases and more financing options for vehicle purchases, Managing Director Ravi Kant said.

“Undoubtedly, for the industry this will perhaps be the most challenging year,” he told a news conference on Wednesday.

Small car war in thailand

April 8th, 2008 — TaTa, mitsubishi, toyota

Thailand Wednesday approved granting tax privileges to automobile-makers Mitsubishi, Toyota and Tata to invest a combined 16.6 billion baht (536 million dollars) to produce more than 300,000 eco-cars for the domestic and export markets.

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) Secretary General Sathit Chanchouwakul said the three companies would be ready to begin operations within two to four years.

Volkswagen, which has also submitted a proposal to produce eco-cars in Thailand, was not included among the approvals granted by BoI Wednesday.

The Mitsubishi project promised to invest 4.7 billion baht to produce 107,000 eco-cars in Thailand, 88 per cent for export, while Toyota will invest 4.6 billion baht to make 100,000 units by 2012, 50 per cent for export, and India’s Tata Motor has pledged to invest 7.3 billion baht to make 100,000 units by 2010, of which 52 per cent will be exported.

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Tata assures Jaguar-Rover workers of retaining brands’ touch

March 10th, 2008 — Land Rover, TaTa, jaguar

Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata has assured British workers that his company would retain the “brand and cultures” behind Jaguar and Land Rover if it were to acquire them.

Tata Motors is in an advanced stage of negotiations with Ford to acquire the British brands and a final decision is expected next week.

Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, Tata said: “Our intentions over Jaguar Land Rover are not to take the technology, not to outsource [production] but we are interested in the brands and the cultures behind them.”

“We plan to retain the image, touch and feel of these brands and not tinker with them in any way,” he said.