TATA MOTORS
WHAT’S HAPPENING
NEWS IN MARCH 2011
INDIAN AUTO MAKERS are all very Busy – improving their sales, quickening their new roll-outs, hastening their expansions, moving into new countries – and trying to compete with the very best in the world. In the forefront of all this is – of course, the Indian Multi national, TATA MOTORS.
Every week – there is some exciting News from TATA MOTORS, now a days. Some times, multiple news, in the same week. And, all of them have short and long term positive impact on TATA MOTORS’ fortunes.
Consider the following news – available from March 1st to 12 th of 2011. Many such news are coming now from this Indian Multi-national. All these news clearly indicate the seriousness with which TATA MOTORS is following its Global ambitions. While other Auto manufacturers in India also are pursuing expansion programs at a fast pace, none of them seem to match TATA MOTORS. TATA MOTORS thus seems to be a GOOD BET for medium to long term Investors in the company.
March 12 th : There is renewed interest in TATA MOTORS and Malaysian manufacturers (Proton) – to forge ties to manufacture NANO in Malaysia. Already TAIWAN had expressed its interest in NANO manufacturing facility in their country. TATA MOTORS may also develop costlier models of NANO for European and US Markets.
March 11th : Tata Motors has introduced an armoured variant of its Safari, which can even resist an assault of an AK-47 rifle.
The new variant of the Safari, Tata Motors’ ageing sports utility vehicle, is one of the most affordable bullet-proof vehicles in the local market. It is available directly from the manufacturer at Rs 60 lakh. The armoured Safari, which is not indifferent in looks when compared to a normal Safari, can even withstand an underbelly hand grenade explosion, without causing any harm to the fuel tank, equipped with explosive suppressant material.
The vehicle, which has got NIJ Level III/B6 protection, can even run on flat tyres for 50 kilometres at a speed of 50-60 km/hour. Its bulletproof transparent areas like glass can also withstand a range of heavy loaded small arms such as a Kalashnikov. Tata Motors last year launched the armoured versions of the Discovery and Range Rover model from the Land Rover stable.
March,10th : Tata Motors is introducing the new TataIndica eV2.; The company claimed that the diesel vehicle gives a mileage of 25 km per litre as per Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and is the most fuel efficient car in India.which (i) Sports the all new Common Rail Diesel engine (ii) has 32% increase in power and 46% increase in fuel efficiency (iii) has New Interiors and (iv) has Class defining features like Auto Driver Assist and clutch-to-start. This mileage of 25 kmpl is hinged on three technological advancements. (i) SMART EMS (Engine Management System) CHIP that involves perfectly calibrating every minute engine component to optimize functionality - Right from valve timing to compression ratios to pressure volume ratios, it flawlessly synchronizes every engine function to deliver this mileage (ii) MAXIMUM CHARGE COMBUSTION - An innovatively designed engine block and piston assembly that ensures effective intake and circulation of charge (mixture of air and fuel), thereby almost preventing friction between parts. The result is max combustion of charge, increased efficiency and power (iii) DRAG REDUCTION - Redesigned wheel arches and subtle alterations on the exterior combined with a lighter shell and engine have collectively contributed to making the car more aerodynamic, reducing the drag coefficient. The car comes with a warranty of 24 months or 75000 km whichever is earlier.
March 10th ; TATA MOTORS is launching TATA DIVO, a luxury AC coach meant for intercity long-distance operations, in the first quarter of the next financial year. Divo, whose styling comes from Spanish bodybuilding company Hispano Corracera, is now a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, is BS-III compliant and powered with a 285-horse power Cummins engine. The standard variant seats 46 and can be customised according to passenger and operator requirements. Tata Motors is expected to introduce the Tata Hybrid Starbus in the next quarter. The low-floor hybrid, designed for “stop-and-go” operations, is powered with a parallel hybrid engine comprising an internal combustion CNG engine and an electric motor using a regenerative energy storage system.
March 8th : In the just concluded CII expo at Haridwar, auto major Tata Motors showcased its yet-to-be-launched Ace Zip commercial vehicle.
With Tata group exploring new investment opportunities in Uttarakhand, its auto manufacturing arm is all set to introduce two to three new models of commercial and passenger vehicles from the Pantnagar manufacturing facility. It has also decided to double its production to 500,000 vehicles from 250,000 vehicles per year. The company recently introduced a new eight-seater passenger van, ‘Venture’, from Pantnagar.
March,8th : The February Sales volumes indicate players that can survive competitive pressure will fare much better. With Nano driving February sales, Tata Motors seems better placed to survive the short-term headwinds, even though both commercial vehicles (CVs) and passenger car sales are under pressure.
March 3rd : Range Rover Evoque Best Production car in 2010 wins Car Design of The Year, a Globally recognised design award, voted for by leading automotive designers and awarded by Car Design News at the Geneva Motor Show Car Design Night.
The Car Design of the Year Award comes hot on the heels of several domestic accolades for Evoque including a Design Award from Czech publication 'Auto Design and Styling' and 'Best SUV of 2011' awarded by the Motor Press Editorial Group in Portugal. Earlier this year, The Range Rover Evoque was overwhelmingly voted 'Most Exciting Car of 2011' by users of Whatcar.com in the UK's annual What Car? Awards.
March 3rd : Tata Motors-owned Land Rover today said it has placed 2 billion pound (over Rs 14,600 crore) orders to source components for its forthcoming sports utility vehicle 'Range Rover Evoque' that will hit the roads in 2011. The announcement of the contracts with over 40 suppliers coincided with the UK Business Secretary Vince Cable's visit to Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) Halewood facility in Merseyside, where the new SUV will be manufactured. JLR is investing in advanced research, design and technical innovation with key strategic partners. The billions being spent on Evoque is just the start, with 40 significant product actions coming over the next five years. Last year, the British marque had said Range Rover Evoque will carry a starting price tag of 30,000 pounds (about Rs 21 lakh). It will be sold in over 160 countries across the world. The company will introduce the new SUV in both 2-wheel drive (2WD) and 4-wheel drive (4WD) options. In 2WD technology, the transmission is distributed only to either the front or rear two wheels of the vehicle, while it is distributed equally to all the four wheels in 4WD category. For driving in difficult terrains, 4WD is preferred.
March 1st : Tata Motors today presented at the 81st Geneva Motor Show the Tata Pixel, a new city car concept for Europe. Based on the Tata Nano, the Tata Pixel - at just over three metres in length - is the most package efficient four-seater in the world, comfortably accommodating four adults, unlike a typical city car which is either a two-seater or can accommodate two adults and two children only. The Tata Pixel's ability to manoeuvre and park in the tightest of spaces is made possible by its Zero Turn toroidal traction-drive Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), which assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards, while the front wheels turn at acute angles. The result is a turning circle radius of just 2.6 metres. The 'scissor' doors rotate upwards from the front to allow passengers to effortlessly enter or exit the Tata Pixel, even in the tightest of spaces.
Taking its pursuit of electric vehicles forward, Tata Motors is also displaying the Tata Indica Vista Electric Vehicle at the Motor Show's Green Pavillion. The Tata Indica Vista EV will be made available to fleet customers this summer in the UK. The four-seater family car has a predicted range of up to 160 km.
The Tata Indica Vista EV bagged two trophies for its performance at the Royal Automobile Club's Brighton-to-London Future Car Challenge. A special version, the Tata Indica Vista EVX, participated in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize contest, one of the world's most prestigious events for environment-friendly vehicles.
The company's displays also include the Tata Aria, the first Indian four-wheel drive crossover, which was launched in India recently to rave reviews, the Tata Indigo Manza, among India's best selling sedans scheduled for launch this year in select countries, and the Tata Indica Vista, a top selling hatch already launched in select geographies. In Europe, the Indica Vista has already been introduced in Poland and Italy, and is planned for launch in Spain. The Tata Aria too will be launched, further enhancing the company's portfolio in these markets.
March 1st : Tata Motors Full Throttle team swept the Desert Storm 2011 Rally, winning the top three positions in the Ndure A category and the 1st and 3rd positions in Ndure overall. The Tata Motors team participated in the rally with two Safari and two Xenon XT vehicles, all in Ndure A category. The Safari stood first in Ndure A as well as overall, while the Xenon XT was the first runner up in Ndure A and third overall. The second Xenon XT bagged the third place in Ndure A and finished 4th overall.
The victory is special for Tata Motors since this was the first time that the company officially fielded a team in the Desert Storm rally. Earlier this month, the company announced its foray into motorsports with the launch of ‘Tata Motors Full Throttle’, a platform for steering its activities in motorsports and allied fields. Commenting on the rally results, Mr. S. G. Saksena, Head Utility Vehicles, Tata Motors said, “Nothing can mark our entry into Motor Sports better than this victory. This achievement underscores the capabilities of our products and their performance in the competitive arena of Motor Sports. Expect more from Tata Motors Full Throttle in future.” The Safari, which bagged the first place in Ndure A as well as overall, was driven by Sanjay Takle and his navigator team mate Rahul Sancheti. Rajsingh Rathod with navigator Chandrashekar M were behind the wheels of the Xenon XT which was first runner up in Ndure A and third overall. The second Xenon XT, which stood third in Ndure A and fourth overall was driven by Amol Satoskar with Navigator Chidanand Murthy.
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