Tata Motors today once again ushered in a new era in the Indian automobile industry, in keeping with its pioneering tradition, by unveiling its new range of world standard trucks. In their power, speed, carrying capacity, operating economy and trims, they will introduce new benchmarks in India and match the best in the world in performance at a lower life-cycle cost.
The range comprises multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers, and special application vehicles. Besides India, they will also gradually be introduced in South Korea, South Africa, the SAARC countries and the Middle East.
Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, has said, “The developing infrastructure in India makes it possible for transporters to reap the benefit of trucks with higher power, speed and carrying capacity. The new range from Tata Motors will meet those needs. It will also help us penetrate international markets more effectively and competitively.”
The Managing Director of Tata Motors, Mr. Ravi Kant, has said, “The range is an output of collaboration across the Tata Motors family, supplemented by inputs from partners across the world. This approach has enabled us to harness appropriate expertise and develop relevant products faster than ever before.”
The product has been jointly developed by Tata Motors and its two subsidiaries, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company in South Korea and the Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc in the UK. The company has harnessed the best of inputs and technologies – in styling, engines, transmission, suspension, chassis frames, fabrication and dies — from partners based in countries like Italy, Germany, Sweden, the US, Japan and South Korea.
Variants & Specifications
The range offers a higher power-to-weight ratio translating into faster turnaround time, better reliability and durability, and resulting in higher revenue generation for the transporter than is the norm now. The versatility of the range meets several needs:
- Tractor-trailers and multi-axle trucks for long distance transportation
- Rigid trucks for short distance distribution
- Tippers, mixers, cranes for construction and mining
- Special applications like reefers, bulkers, and tip-trailers
Capacity: The capacity of the trucks can be from 10 tonnes to 75 tonnes Gross Combination Weight (GCW), to meet a wide mix of usages.
Powertrains: The powertrain option stretches from 150 PS to 560 PS, with suitable engines, transmissions and axles of different makes. Additional features on offer include automated transmissions and air suspension.
Vehicle tracking: Every truck will have Global Positioning System for effective vehicle tracking as standard fitment.
Comfortable cabin options: The spacious air-conditioned cabs come in three different lengths (day, rest and sleeper), three different heights (flat, low-dome and high-dome roof) and in two different widths. While there are two trim levels, features include reclining seats, adjustable steering wheel, seat belts and arm rests (for both the driver and co-driver) for driver comfort and safety. These features are designed to induce longer and more trips and safer driving.
Safety & Emission
The range is designed to meet stringent safety norms of the markets that it will be sold in. In terms of emissions, the range is Euro III and Euro IV complaint, while being Euro V ready.
About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company, with revenues of Rs. 35651.48 crores in 2007-08. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world’s fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. www.tatamotors.com)
About Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company
Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Limited (TDCV), a 100% subsidiary of Tata Motors, is the second largest manufacturer of heavy and medium commercial vehicles in S. Korea. During the year under review, TDCV registered further growth both in the domestic market and exports. In volume terms, sales of 11,899 units in FY 07-08 were higher by 38% compared to that of 8,588 units in FY 06-07. This enabled TDCV to improve its market share from 24.3% to 32.3% in the HCV segment and from 28.2% to 34.8% in the MCV segment. TDCV exported 3,000 units of HCVs in FY 08 (2,715 units previous year) and continued to be the largest exporter from Korea in this segment. TDCV recorded a turnover of Rs.2,865.02 crores which was higher by 45% compared to Rs. 2,248.81 crores for the previous year.
About Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc (TMETC)
TMETC was incorporated in September 2005, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. The company is in the business of providing design engineering, program management, testing and validation, research and development of automobiles, including launch support for manufacturing to facilitate introduction of vehicles for production. TMETC was established with the objective of providing automotive product engineering services to contemporary global standards to both Tata Motors and external 3rd party customers. The company currently has 180 employees. In October 2008, TMETC acquired a majority holding in the Norwegian company Miljøbil Grenland. Milj are developers and manufacturers of state-of-the-art super polymer lithium ion batteries for Electric Vehicles.
