Tata Motors to launch "Tata Novus" and "Tata Starbus CNG" in Thailand

Tata Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd is driving its business growth in Thailand's large commercial vehicle segment with the introduction of the "TATA Novus" tractor trailer and "TATA Starbus CNG" bus.

The "TATA Novus" tractor trailer and "TATA Starbus CNG" bus will have their official product launchings in Thailand at the Bus & Truck 2011 event held at the Bitec center, Bangna during December 15-17, 2011.

"Tata may be a new brand for the Thai people but we are the world's 4th largest manufacturer of trucks and pickups, while we also rank as the world's 3rd largest bus manufacturer," said Abhichet Sitakalin, vice president for Sales, Marketing and Customer Care for Tata Motors (Thailand).

"The TATA Novus will definitely fit in as a good option with excellent quality and value for money for business owners and logistics operators in Thailand. The 'TATA Novus' is expected to set new standard in the logistics market in Thailand as the vehicle is designed to European standard".

The 1st generation TATA Novus was launched in 2004 through the joint development between Tata Motors and South Korea-based Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles, shortly after Tata Motors acquired Daewoo's commercial vehicle unit. The "TATA Novus" enjoyed positive market gains in South Korea, and in 15 other export destinations. The Novus design delivers class-leading performance, comfort amenities, ergonomic design and functionality for the driver and enhancing safety and control of the vehicle.



"Tata Motors is committed to develop Thailand's large commercial vehicle market and provide excellent customer service" said Abhichet.

He added that Tata Motors, which entered the Thai market in 2008, is setting up dealership and service network in Bangkok, Saraburi and Rayong based on availability of CNG infrastructure. Plans are in place to provide efficient after-sales service coverage across the country.

Source: The Nation Multimedia

Tata Motors planning new Fuel Efficient and Powerful Engines for LCV

Tata ACE Zip

Tata Motors, India’s top commercial vehicle maker, is looking at replacing its older light commercial vehicle (LCV) engines with the new fuel efficient and powerful ones in order to retain dominance in the segment where competition is getting intense with new players joining in and older ones lining up newer models.

The company is currently working on a range of engines for its LCV and intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) categories.

According to sources, Tata Motors has begun trials of the new engines and may showcase them during the Auto Expo in Delhi next month.The company currently sources its medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) engines from Cummins India.

However, the LCV engines are being made by Tata Motors at its Pune plant. According to sources, the new LCV engines will have some input from Cummins India, but will be manufactured by Tata Motors solely.

“For LCVs, we are using our own engines. We are developing new engines to replace the current ones,” said Ravi Pisharody, president - commercial vehicles business unit at Tata Motors.

According to the company, the new 3-litre diesel engines will be launched within the next one year. Though the investment for upgradation of these engines is not known, sources said it is not very high.

Analysts said with competition getting intense, it was important for Tata Motors to retain its share in the LCV market. “Tata Motors is losing its share in the passenger vehicle segment. It is necessary for the company to take necessary steps to remain ahead in the LCV and M&HCV segments,” said an analyst with a domestic brokerage.Tata Motors currently has a market share of around 73% in LCVs. Mahindra & Mahindra has also emerged as a strong player in this segment, while new players like Ashok Leyland-Nissan and General Motors are looking to tap the potential.



Ashok Leyland recently launched its LCV Dost with its Japanese partner Nissan. The two companies plan to go aggressive with new launches. Also, General Motors and China-based SAIC will bring in their range of LCVs soon.

Pisharody said, “The new engines are more fuel efficient, technologically advanced and more powerful. We thought this is the right time to upgrade the engines”. LCV continues to be the best-performing segment for the company. Its year-to-date volumes grew 27% this year.

“There are a lot of opportunities in the light and small commercial vehicles. We are talking about slowdown, but in the last six months our growth in LCVs is almost similar to last year,” said Pisharody.

Source: DNA India

Tata Motors enters deep mining space with the new Tata Prima 3138.K

Tata Prima 3138.K range

Tata Motors has launched a range of construction and mining trucks which are more productive, fuel efficient, easier to operate and maintain.

"We used to sell vehicle chassis for many years, now we are focusing on fully built trucks. The segment is doing very well. It constitutes around 25 to 30 percent of the trucks sold in Tata Motors. The demand for vehicles in mining and construction is very strong. The infrastructure spend is driving demand in this sector. The tipper is going to become a larger part of our tuck business," said Ravi Pisharody, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors.

These trucks come with powerful & fuel efficient engines with reliable transmissions, drivelines, axles and hydraulics. All the aggregates have been optimised to ensure maximum performance and the improved efficiency comes with enhanced ease of operation and reliability, thus, significantly reducing the lifetime operating costs, per tonne.

The company displayed seven vehicles from the Construck range – Tata Prima 3138.K – 19 cum scoop body tipper with auto transmission, Tata Prima 3128.K – 20 cum box body tipper, Tata Prima 2528.K – 16 cum box body tipper, Tata LPK 3118 – 8 cum RMC, Tata LPK 3118 – 18 cum tipper, Tata LPK 1616  - Ergo Pack, Tata LPK 3118 - 27 cum Bulker.

"The 3138 is a new product with automatic transmission. This is the first time Tata Motors is getting into deep mining. The 3138, in addition to the Tata LPK 3118 – 8 cum RMC, Tata LPK 3118 – 18 cum tipper are being showcased for the first time. Commercial production will start in the next few months," said Vinod Sahay, Head – Sales; Marketing, Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors.

The Tata Prima 3138.K is a 4 axle, 31-tonne GVW tipper with Allison automatic transmission. The 8X4 tipper is powered by Cummins ISLe (CRDi) engine, which has maximum power of 370HP. The product features include new generation brakes, ABS and hub reduction axle, specially designed for off-road applications with robust Metalsa chassis frame, heavy duty suspension that can overcome any terrain with its high gradeability. The tipper comes with a robust frame, dual reduction axles and a 19cu .mt rock body for better payload and faster tipping time.



The tipper has spacious air-conditioned non-sleeper cabin that includes pneumatic suspended driver seat, adjustable steering wheels for enhanced driver comfort. The driving comfort enables the driver to operate for long hours each day, thereby offering faster turnaround time.

The Tata Prima 3138.K tipper is ideal for carrying overburden in coal, iron, limestone and other applications involved in heavy mining industry as well as similar off-road applications.

Source: Machinist.IN