Tata Motors January Global Sales Rise 21% To 119,799 Units

Land Rover Freelander II SUVs on an assembly line at a plant in the western Indian state of Maharashtra

Global Wholesales Vehicles (including Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles):

Tata Motors Group's global wholesales including Jaguar Land Rover, were 119,799 units in January 2012 which is higher by 21% over January 2011. The cumulative sales for the fiscal are 985,260 greater by 13% compared to the corresponding period in 2010-11.

Global Sales of Passenger Vehicles:

The global sales of all passenger vehicles were at 66,785 units in January 2012, higher by 26%. While cumulative sales for the fiscal are 506,921 units, higher by 10%.

Global Sales of Tata Passenger Vehicles:

The global sales of Tata passenger vehicles and the distribution offtake in India of Fiat cars were at 37,492 units, for the month, higher by 14%, over January 2011. Cumulative sales for the fiscal are at 261,216 units.

Global Sales of Jaguar Land Rover Vehicles:

The global sales of Jaguar Land Rover in January 2012 were at 29,293 units, higher by 44% over January 2011, while cumulative sales of Jaguar Land Rover for the fiscal are 245,705 units, higher by 25%.

Global Sales of Jaguar Vehicles:

Jaguar sales for the month were 4,547 units, higher by 49%, while cumulative sales of Jaguar are 44,468 units, lower by 3%.

Global Sales of Land Rover Vehicles:

Land Rover sales for the month were 24,746 units, higher by 43%, while cumulative sales of Land Rover are 201,237 units, higher by 34%.

Source: Car Wale

Tata Motors hopes to increase UV market share to 15%

India's largest automobile company Tata Motors, on Wednesday launched Tata Sumo Gold in Hyderabad, AP, which it claims to be the most powerful SUV in its category.

Tata Sumo Gold

With utility vehicles segment continuing to grow in spite of general economic slowdown impacting the overall volumes of the automotive business in the country, Tata Motors Ltd sees its UV market share going up to 15 per cent this fiscal, up from 13 per cent it registered last year.

“The growth has been fuelled by growing volumes from SUV Safari and Sumo, with the latter now notching up average sales of about 3,300 a month, up from about 1,100 it was registering before the launch of Sumo Gold. The Sumo Gold was rolled out in select markets in October 2011 and within 30 days we will take it pan-India,” Mr Ashesh Dhar, Head-Utility Vehicle Product Group, Tata Motors Ltd, said.

“The rollout of new models in the Sumo Gold family and Safari have created excitement among buyers. Given their value proposition and features they offer, we are seeing good volumes coming this year. Last year, we registered total sales of 41,000 vehicles in the UV business. This will go up this fiscal with growing numbers from Sumo,” he said.

Launching Sumo Gold in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Dhar said the Sumo has made big strides since its introduction in India about 18 years ago. The new Sumo Gold, with refreshed looks, more powerful CR4 engine and attractive price band, has been received well in the market, both rural and urban areas. Sumo has 15 per cent share in the segment it operates.

The BS III and BS IV variants of Sumo are priced in the range of Rs 5.38 lakh to Rs 6.99 lakh ex-showroom and come with a warranty of three years or 1,00,000 km, whichever is earlier.

Asked about the a proposal to levy higher taxes on diesel cars, Mr Dhar said any move of this nature would impact all manufacturers not just Tata Motors.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Tata Motors Q3 net up 41% on strong JLR sales‎

CEO of Jaguar Land Rover Ralf Speth, Managing Director of India Operations for Tata Motors P.M. Telang and CFO of Tata Motors C.Ramakrishnan (Left to Right) attend a news conference to announce Tata Motors Q3 Result

Consolidated Financial Results for the Quarter and Nine months ended December 31, 2011

Tata Motors today reported consolidated revenues (net of excise) of Rs.45,260 crores for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, posting a growth of 44.0% over Rs.31,442 crores in the corresponding quarter of the previous year on the back of growth in volumes, improved product and market mix. The Consolidated Profit before Exceptional item and Tax was Rs.4,658 crores, posting a growth of 68.7% over Rs.2,760 crores in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Consolidated Profit before Tax (PBT) for the quarter was Rs.4,494 crores, compared to Rs.2,728 crores for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Consolidated Profit (After Tax and post minority interest and profit in respect of Associate companies) for the quarter was Rs.3,406 crores, as compared to Rs.2,424 crores in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The consolidated revenue (net of excise) for the Nine months ended December 31, 2011, was Rs.114,747 crores posting a growth of 32.1% over Rs.86,841 crores in the corresponding period last year. The Consolidated Profit before Exceptional item and Tax was Rs 9,770 crores, posting a growth of 30.7 % over Rs.7,472 crores in the corresponding period last year. The Consolidated Profit before Tax (PBT) for the Nine months ended December 31, 2011 was Rs.9,110 crores, compared to Rs.7,526 crores for the corresponding period last year after a swing of Rs.714 crores in the period on account of Exceptional item (Exchange loss (net) including on revaluation of foreign currency borrowings, deposits and loans of Rs.660 crores in Nine months FY 2011-12 vs. gain of Rs.54 crores in Nine months FY 2010-11). The Consolidated Profit (After Tax and post minority interest and profit in respect of Associate companies) for the Nine months ended December 31, 2011 was Rs.7,283 crores, as compared to Rs.6,636 crores in the corresponding period last year.

Tata Motors Stand-alone Financial Results for the Quarter and Nine months ended December 31, 2011

Tata Motors standalone revenues (net of excise) of Rs.13,338 crores represented a growth of 18.2% over Rs.11,280 crores in the corresponding period last year. Higher marketing spends and overall cost pressures, resulted in a reduction in the operating margins to 6.7%, and an Operating Profit (EBITDA) of Rs.897 crores in the quarter, declining by 26.3% over Rs.1,217 crores in the corresponding period last year.

The PBT for the quarter is Rs.186 crores as compared to Rs.531 crores in the corresponding period last year and the PAT for the quarter is Rs.174 crores as compared to Rs.410 crores in the corresponding period last year.

The standalone revenues (net of excise) for the Nine months ended December 31, 2011, was Rs.37,916 crores posting a growth of 15.7% over Rs.32,763 crores in the corresponding period last year. During the period there was an impact of Rs.282 crores of an Exceptional item (Nine months FY 2011-12 loss of Rs.375 crores versus a loss of Rs.93 crores in Nine months FY 2010-11) as compared to the same period last year on account of exchange loss (net) including on revaluation of foreign currency borrowings, deposits and loans arising from the depreciation of Indian Rupee (INR). After the impact of Exceptional item, the Standalone Profit before Tax (PBT) for Nine months FY 2011-12 was Rs. 689 crores, compared to Rs.1,606 crores for the corresponding period last year. The Standalone Profit After Tax for Nine months FY 2011-12 was Rs.677 crores, as compared to Rs.1,239 crores in the corresponding period last year.

Tata Motors' sales (including exports) of commercial and passenger vehicles for Nine months FY 2011-12, stood at 640,334 units, representing a growth of 8.2% as compared to the corresponding period last year.

In the domestic market, the Company's commercial vehicles sales for the Quarter ended December 31, 2011, stood at 131,220 units, an increase of 15.5% over the corresponding period last year. The commercial vehicles sales for the Nine months FY 2011-12 increased by 15.5% to 374,532 units, as compared to the corresponding period last year. The Company's market share in commercial vehicles was 59.4% for Nine months FY 2011-12.

Passenger vehicles, including Fiat and Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles distributed in India, grew by 33.2% in the domestic market for the Quarter ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the corresponding period last year to 85,963 units. Sales for the Nine months FY 2011-12 declined by 2.0% to 220,574 units, as compared to the corresponding period last year. Focused network actions have positively influenced retail sales. The market share in passenger vehicles improved to 12.6% for Nine months FY 2011-12 largely driven by sales in the recent quarter. The market share in Passenger vehicles for Q3 FY 2011-12 stood at 14.6%.

Jaguar Land Rover PLC

Jaguar Land Rover sales for Nine months FY 2011-12, stood at 216,412 units, representing a growth of 21.9% as compared to the corresponding period last year supported by better product & market mix with strong growth in China & Russia. Sales for the Quarter ended December 31, 2011, grew 36.7% to 86,322 units supported by the overwhelming response to the recently launched Range Rover Evoque.

Revenues of GBP 3,746 million represented a growth of 40.9% over GBP 2,658 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Strong profit performance was supported by growth in volumes and favorable products and market mix. Operating margins for the Quarter ended December 31, 2011, stood at 20.1% and an Operating Profit (EBITDA) of GBP 752 million in the quarter, a growth of 62.8% over GBP 462 million in the corresponding quarter last year. The PBT for the quarter is GBP 559 million (GBP 300 million in the corresponding quarter last year) and the PAT for the quarter is GBP 440 million (GBP 280 million in the corresponding quarter last year).

The recently launched new products continue to receive positive response. The newly launched Range Rover Evoque, clocked approximately 32,000 wholesale units till December 2011.

Jaguar Land Rover tied up the Revolving Credit Facilty (RCF) with a consortium of banks for committed 3 -5 year credit lines of GBP 610 million which has since been upsized to GBP 710 million. This will enable Jaguar Land Rover to have access to such funding as and when required and enable optimization of cash balances, while strengthening the liquidity position.

Tata Daewoo

Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Co. Ltd. registered net revenues of Rs.704 crores, and recorded a Net loss of Rs.1 crore in the quarter ended December 31, 2011. This is mainly due to slowing down of economy which led to lower industry sales.

Tata Motors Finance

Tata Motors Finance Ltd, the Company's captive financing subsidiary, registered net revenues of Rs.524 crores and reported a Profit After Tax of Rs.71 crores in quarter ended December 31, 2011.

Source: Tata Motors

Sumo Gold pushes Tata sales

Tata Motors is upbeat over the launch of new Tata Sumo Gold. The Mumbai-based multinational auto major further expects that the new model would boost sales — and is expecting to sell 18,000 units of it by the end of the current financial year. The company is targeting rural, semi-urban market and taxi segment in the urban market with this new SUV.

Tata Sumo Gold

Tata Motors’ head (utility vehicles, product group) Ashesh Dhar said on Friday that the company initially launched the product in four markets — Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. “We got overwhelming response from all these markets,” he told BS. Prior to the launch, the company — South Asia’s largest automobile company — was selling 1,100 units of Sumo a month. “Now we are selling 3,300 units per month. Considering the sales figure, we are hopeful about selling 18,000 units of new Sumo Gold. The sales figure (including all Sumo Model combined) is likely to touch 24,000 units by the end of this fiscal,” Dhar added.

The 1945-founded Tata Motors, with auto-manufacturing and assembly plants in Jamshedpur, Pantnagar, Lucknow, Sanand, Dharwad and Pune, is targeting rural, semi-urban market and the taxi segment in urban market, he informed, adding, “We have aggressive plans to launch across India by the end of this year.”

Meanwhile, the company — earlier called Telco (Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company) — launched all new Tata Sumo Gold, the most powerful SUV in its category in Punjab and Chandigarh market. “The Tata Sumo Gold is a result of extensive consumer studies and field tests,” Dhar said.

The new Tata Sumo Gold is being launched in 4 variants — GX, EX, LX & CX — along with a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km, whichever is earlier. Its price will be available from Rs 5.35 lakhs onwards (ex-showroom, Chandigarh).

Source: BS Motoring

Tata Motors to drive into Indonesia with Ace

Tata Ace

The next international stop for automobile giant Tata Motors is Indonesia where it plans to soon start assembly of the successful Ace range of light commercial vehicles.

“We are looking at Indonesia quite seriously which, in several ways, is a replica of the Indian market,” P. M. Telang, Managing Director (India Operations), Tata Motors, told The Hindu in an interview in Mumbai last week.

Asked if it will be a full scale manufacturing venture or only an assembly plant, Mr. Telang said: “It is always step-by-step. Assembly is the first step and we do see local content ratio rising rapidly as ASEAN has good amount of component infrastructure. So, we see good possibilities of growth.”

While confirming that the plan was in the near-term horizon, Mr. Telang refused to say which of the vehicles from Tata Motors' stable will be assembled in Indonesia.

A top official of the company, however, said that the Ace will be the first model that the company would assemble in the Southeast Asian country. “This will be followed by passenger vehicles,” the official said. The knocked down kits of Ace meant for assembly in Indonesia will be supplied from India. Tata Motors launched the Ace branded as “Ace Super City Giant” in Thailand in November 2010. It has an assembly plant in Bangkok as a joint venture with the Thonburi Group which assembles pick-up trucks for the Thai market.

Diesel debate

Asked about the debate over diesel cars and the government toying with the idea of imposing an extra tax on such cars, Mr. Telang said: “Diesel cars are 25-30 per cent more fuel-efficient than petrol cars. When you are looking at the rising energy bill of the country, diesel cars make eminent sense.” He pointed to a study done by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) which showed that private diesel use is less than 1 per cent of the total consumption of diesel in the country. “I think the issue is being blown out of proportion,” he said.

Source: The Hindu

Tata Motors hikes car prices; Nano and Aria prices unchanged!

Tata Motors Limited has hiked prices of all cars barring the Nano hatchback and the Aria Crossover on the back of rising input costs. Though a price hike was expected within the first few days of 2012, Tata had managed to hold on to hiking prices of its cars until the second week of February. Now though, the third largest car maker in India has increased prices of all its cars between INR 7,000 to INR 12,000, except the Nano and Aria, whose prices remain unchanged.

Tata Safari Storme at 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo

This price hike is effective from the 9th of February, 2012, and Tata dealers across the country, have been notified of the same. Here’s official word from Tata Motors’ spokesperson regarding the price hike,

The high input costs have been impacting us for quite some time. We have decided to pass on some burden to our customers. The quantum of the hike will vary between Rs 7,000 and Rs 12,000 depending on the model. The price hike has been effected since yesterday.

Both the Nano hatchback and the Aria Crossover haven’t performed as well as Tata Motors would have wanted to, at the hustings. This has made Tata adopt an aggressive sales promotion policy on both the cars. Sizable discounts are being offered on both the Nano and the Aria at the dealership level and this has led to an increase in sales of both these cars.

For instance, both the Nano and the Aria registered significant growth of numbers in January 2012, a month in which Tata Motors edged out South Korean automaker Hyundai to become the second largest automaker in India in terms of monthly sales. The next big launch from Tata Motors is the Safari Storme SUV, which Tata showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, and which will compete with the best selling Mahindra XUV500 crossover.

Source: ICB

Tata launches Nano Valentines Edition in Goa

2012 Tata Nano Valentines Edition

Are you looking to gift your loved one a special and a different gift which beautiful, cute and safe? Here is a chance to gift your dear one a fun loving car.

Auto Industries, Tata Motors Goa dealer has launched a special Nano Valentines Edition in Goa. A new way of saying that one loves you and cares for you.



The Nano Valentines Edition is available only on the Nano CX with added features.

The Nano Valentines Edition will be offered in 2 colours Rouge Red and Neon Rush (green) only. Only 20 units of the special edition will be made at the offer is valid only a select period or till stocks last.

The added features include:

• Integrated Tata Audio /MP3 System with USB
• A Pen drive on which one can store your favourite songs
• A Mobile phone along with a phone holder stand
• Remote Central locking
• Fog lamps
• Air freshener
• Protective Sunfilm
• Mattings and Mudflaps
• Valentine special exterior graphics

All the above costs come at an extra cost of Rs. 20,000. The Nano Valentines Edition is priced at Rs. 205,993 ex-showroom Goa.

The new 2012 Nano is powered by a 624cc which now has a power output of 38Ps and 51 on Torque.

More Images:


Source: Goa On Wheels

After Maharashtra, the Tata Nano heads to Goa to be a police car!

Tata Motors delivered a fleet of Nanos to the Mumbai police on an experimental basis to see whether the Nano would fit in well as a police car. Coming to think of it, the Tata Nano and its diminutive dimensions makes a bunch of sense considering how crowded Mumbai is as a city. Also, the Nano’s high fuel economy would mean that the city runabout would be just at home doing patrolling duties in the city that never sleeps. The inexpensive Nano costing only twice as much as a motorcycle, would also offer the Mumbai constabulary all weather protection and respite from doing patrolling duties in crowded areas by foot, as is the case currently.

Tata Nano fleet of Mumbai Police

Now, the Tata Nano hatchback is all set to head to Goa and do duty amongst the Goan cops as a police car. While Goa might not be as crowded as Mumbai, most Goan back roads are more like alleys and it is here, where a car with a narrow track like the Nano would be right at home. As has been the case with Mumbai, the Tata Nano that has been painted with Goan police colors will be an experiment to see whether it fits the rigors of being a cop car. Details on what exactly has been modified on the Tata Nano to make it a cop car remains unknown at the moment.

Tata Nano fleet of Mumbai Police

However, we’re guessing that a mount for a walkie talkie and a siren/flasher on top would be the bare minimum of the mods that the Nano would need to do cop car duty. The only downside to the cop car Tata Nano perhaps would be when the Nano will have to chase down criminals making a fast getaway. The Nano is a s-l-o-w car and though the gear ratios are just about right to stay ahead of city traffic, it would be a task in itself to chase down a criminal intent on outrunning the law. Any which ways, Goa Police becomes the second police force after the Maharashtra cops to take to the Nano for cop car duty.

Source: ICB

And the discounts only get bigger on the 2012 Tata Nano hatchback!

Tata Motors is pulling out all stops to push the Tata Nano, a practical city hatchback that is frugal and easy to park. The latest move by Tata Motors to sell the Nano is by means of a hefty discount that Tata is offering as exchange bonus for your old two wheeler of car. The exchange bonus works like this; You exchange your old two wheeler or four wheeler for the new 2012 Tata Nano. Tata Motors will pay you INR 20,000 extra, over and above the exchange value of your old two wheeler as the exchange bonus. In the same way, for four wheelers, Tata will pay you INR 25,000 extra as exchange bonus.

2012 Tata Nano

These exchange bonuses are over and above the flat 10,000 rupee cash discount that Tata is offering on all models of the 2012 Nano. Effectively, exchanging your old two wheeler will fetch you a 30,000 rupee discount on the Nano while exchanging your car will fetch you a 35,000 rupee discount on the 2012 Nano, both sizable discounts indeed. At the discounted prices, the 2012 Nano looks like a superb value proposition for folks wanting a frugal city run about that is inexpensive to buy and run as Tata does have attractive all-inclusive maintenance packages at INR 99 per month.

2012 Tata Nano LX Interiors

The 2012 Tata Nano comes in three variants, Basic, CX and LX. All three variants of the 2012 Nano have got a wide range of upgrades to improve performance as well as fuel economy. The 2012 Nano comes with a slightly more powerful engine with altered gear ratios to make the car quicker than before. Also, the improvements in the engine and transmission has meant that the Nano is now the most fuel efficient car in the country with a whopping ARAI certified mileage figure of 25.4 Kmpl. All these improvements come without any increase in price of the Nano, which has been retained at previous levels.

Source: ICB

New Tata Vista Sedan Class launched in Nepal

After receiving outstanding response and success in India, Tata Motors launched Tata Vista Sedan Class in Nepal on Tuesday.

Tata Vista Sedan Class

"With an aim to create a new breed which reinvents the conventional hatchback with an exquisite class of a sedan, the all new Vista Sedan Class has been given a complete makeover," Spiradi Trading, the authorized distributors of Tata Motors for Nepal, said in a statement.

According to the statement, Vista Sedan Class is all set to redefine the attributes of space, style, comfort, safety and fuel efficiency across all existing hatchbacks forever.

"The all new Vista showcases the progresses Tata Motors has made over the last several years of its first outing in the passenger car business in terms of design, quality, performance, technology and refinement. Compared to the other offerings in the market, the new vehicle is a significant set up over the previous generation and in line with other world class offerings," the statement added.

The Sedan has a complete new skin, height adjustable driver´s seat, tilt adjustable steering wheel, utility space in the floor console under the seat, deep glove box which can accommodate laptop, tubeless tyre, a new twist beam suspension, gas filled shock absorbers, among others.

The new Sedan comes with new features like dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD assisted brakes, electrically controlled ORVMs, double din music system with Bluetooth and auxiliary input with steering controls, dual tone alloy wheels and keyless entry.

"The new sedan stands out from other vehicle because of its complete front design change which looks similar to Manza. New triple barrel headlamps, new grille and fog lamps now lend a classier and modern touch to the appearance up front," said the statement.

The car is powered by a range of internationally acclaimed power trains -- the new 1.3 liter Quadrajet Common Rail diesel engine and the 1.4 liter Safire MPF petrol engine manufactured by Fiat-Tata joint venture.

Siradi is providing 24 months or 7500 km warranty on Vista Sedan Class. The car is being launched at an introductory price ranging from Rs 1.89 million to Rs 2.64 million.

Source: Republica

Tata Motors might build cars at Cluj – Romania

Tata Motors, the maker of the cheapest car in the world plans to build cars in Jucu, near Cluj-Napoca - Romania, MediaFax reports.

County Council chief Alin Tise declared on Monday that the meeting was focused on several issues but which are confidential.

Tise said however that the company considers a possible investment in the area. He said that other foreign investors expressed their interest for the county.

“I can’t give you any information on the investment value or the number of jobs stipulated,” Alin Tise, chairman of the CJ Cluj, said.

According to him, the investment would be worth “tens of millions of euros. ”

Last week the company reported a 15.97 per cent increase in total vehicle sales during January to 87,465 units. The company sold 75,423 units in the corresponding month last year, Tata Motors said in a statement.

The carmaker’s exports stood at 7,083 units last month, up 43.15% as against 4,948 units in the same month last year.

Indian Tata group includes over 90 companies in areas such as ICT, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals, with activities in over 80 countries.

Source: INAUTONEWS

Tata Motors Opposes Import Duty Cut

Tata Motors opposed the proposal of cutting the import duty on cars from Europe as envisaged under India-EU FTA, saying that such short-term policy shift would hinder the growth of domestic automobile industry and investment in the country, reports said.



Under the proposed free-trade agreement (FTA) officially dubbed as Bilateral Investment and Trade Agreement, EU wants India to slash the import duty on passenger cars.

The company said India, with its open liberal policy, was able to attract many global players, which has resulted in helping the industry growth and any such change in policy would create a un-level playing field.

Managing Director (India Operations) P.M. Telang said, "It will hinder the growth of the industry. It will also create a un-level playing field and any short-term policy shift is not advisable."

India is seeking greater market access in services sector among other things. Talks for the comprehensive pact were started in June 2007.

Telang said the import duty should be reduced for all the regions, adding that the company and the industry should work out a time-line together to bring down the import duty on cars.

He also sounded caution that while taking such steps the government should ensure that investments in the country do not come down, and cited the example of Australia, where after the liberalization policy on cars, assembly operations in the country had gone down drastically.

Source: Nasdaq

Tata Motors January 2012 sales up 16%; Passenger Vehicle Sales Highest ever for any Month

Tata Motors total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in January 2012 were 87,465 vehicles, higher by 16% over January 2011. The company's domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for January 2012 were 80,382 nos., higher by 14% over 70,475 nos., sold in January last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 714,235 nos., a growth of 11% over 642,415 nos., sold last year.



Commercial Vehicles

The company's sales of commercial vehicles in January 2012 in the domestic market were 45,713 nos., a 14% growth, compared to 40,263 vehicles, sold in January last year. LCV sales were 27,375 nos., a growth of 15%, compared to 23,776 vehicles sold in January, last year. M&HCV sales stood at 18,338 nos., a growth of 11%, compared to 16,487 vehicles sold in January, last year.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 420,045 nos., a growth of 18% over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are 254,340 nos., a growth of 24% over last year, while M&HCV sales stood at 165,705 nos., a growth of 10% over last year.

Passenger Vehicles

The passenger vehicles business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 36,770 nos. (34,669 Tata + 2,101 Fiat) in the domestic market in January 2012, higher by 14% compared to 32,386 nos. (30,212 Tata + 2,174 Fiat) in January last year. Sales of Tata passenger vehicles for January 2012 are at 34,669 nos., a growth of 15% over 30,212 nos., sold in January last year, and highest ever for any month. Sales of the Tata Nano were 7,723 nos., higher by 15%, compared to 6,703 nos., sold in January, last year. The Indica range sales were 11,534 nos., higher by 9%, over 10,591 nos., sold in January, last year. The Indigo range recorded sales of 9,272 nos., higher by 10%, over 8,456 nos., sold in January, last year. The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range accounted for sales of 6,140 nos., a growth of 38%, over 4,462 nos., sold in January, last year.

Jaguar Land Rover sales in India continued their upward trend.

Cumulative sales and distribution offtake of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 254,870 nos. (241,894 Tata + 12,976 Fiat), against 256,268 nos. (238,909 Tata + 17,359 Fiat) last year. Cumulative sales of Tata passenger vehicles were 241,894 nos., compared to 238,909 nos., till January last year. Cumulative sales of the Nano are 54,835 nos., higher by 3%, compared to 53,463 nos., till January last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica range are 83,862 nos., higher by 4%. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family are 60,843 nos., lower by 15%. Cumulative sales of the Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range are 42,354 nos., higher by 29%.

Exports

The company's sales from exports at 7,083 vehicles in January 2012 are higher by 43% compared to 4,948 vehicles in January last year. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 52,296 nos. are higher by 10% over 47,608 nos., in the same period last year.

Source: Tata Motors

Tata Motors asked to make more disclosures on Iranian exports by US stock market regulator SEC

Tata Motors, which manufactures both luxury cars as well as trucks, has been asked by US stock market regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to increase the level of disclosures pertaining to its operations in certain countries in the Middle East and Africa, and specifically in Iran, two people with knowledge of the matter said on condition of anonymity.



The Department of Global Security Risk, a division of the SEC, has written to Tata Motors seeking details of the company's exports to Iran and also asked the company to make more disclosures about the operations of its affiliates through which it carries out business in the Iranian market, according to the people quoted above.

A spokesperson for Tata Motors confirmed that the SEC has asked the company for more information on its exports to the Middle East and Africa when contacted by ET NOW. A spokesperson for the SEC said in an emailed response, "SEC staff on a regular basis review company filings and ask questions related to whether company disclosures are sufficient".

Tata Motors, whose American Depository Receipts (ADR's) trade on the NYSE, has asked for time till next week to respond to the SEC.

Iran is amongst countries facing sanctions from the US government and many federal agencies are closely monitoring the operations of companies in their jurisdiction that do business in the Iranian market.

Amongst such agencies is The Office of Foreign Assets Control or OFAC. Banks that do business in the US market often seek clearances from OFAC if they are lending to clients that have operations in countries facing sanctions.

However, a senior executive at a US-based bank which lends money to Tata Motors said it has never had any problems receiving OFAC clearances when giving loans to the company for its overseas operations but said he wasn't surprised that the SEC was seeking such disclosures.

Lenders that financed telecom major Bharti for its acquisition of Zain Africa had to seek OFAC clearances because the company had operations in countries with unstable political regimes.



Tata Motors draws 20% of its exports from the Middle East market and much of its exports to Iran are routed through Tata Daewoo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. Exports accounted for 6.5% of the company's total revenues in financial year 2010-2011.

Recently many Indian oil refiners including private companies such as Essar Oil and state-run companies such as Indian Oil Corporation have also reduced their dependence on crude supplies from Iran under directions from the Indian government.

Source: Economic Times

Tata Motors is planning new marketing strategies to push Nano sales

Tata Nano 2012

The company aims to undo the 'Nano is a poor man's car' perception in the Indian market.

At the 2012 Auto Expo, Tata Group chairman, Ratan Tata admitted that there had been quite a few blunders in the way the Tata Nano was marketed and distributed in the country. To make the necessary correction and to boost the sales of the small car, the company is now gearing up to introduce new marketing and distributing strategies in the Indian market. The new strategy aims at reaching out to multiple segments of target customers and to undo the perception that the Nano is a poor man's car.

"Quite a lot of marketing activity is in place now - reaching out to the target segments, network strategy, handling the customers at the dealerships, tie-ups with various financiers." said Mr R Ramakrishna, the company's vice-president. "Every single segment is falling in place now." Ramakrishna added.

According to the company, a typical Nano buyer is relatively scared to go to a full-fledged car showroom and therefore, the company is setting up exclusive showrooms to sell Nano cars in Tier-III and Tier-IV cities across the country. Apart from the existing showrooms, Tata Motors has so far set up around 105 exclusive Nano showrooms and 250 special kiosks. Altogether, the company now has around 750 sales points where the Nano is available.



Source: On Cars

Tata Motors Gets SEC Inquiry on Exports to Africa, Middle East

Tata Motors Ltd., the Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover, said it received an inquiry from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on some of its exports.

“The SEC wanted details of our exports to Africa and the Middle East,” Debasis Ray, a spokesman for Mumbai-based Tata Motors, said yesterday. Ray declined to name the countries that the SEC wanted information about and why the agency inquired about exports to those nations.



Tata Motors will respond to the SEC within 10 working days, the company said in a statement yesterday. It exported 58,044 vehicles, or 7.2 percent of total sales, during the year ended March 31, 2011, according to its website. The Indian company, which makes the Nano, the world’s cheapest car, doesn’t break down exports by geography.

SEC spokesman John Nester declined to comment.

Tata Motors American depositary receipts, each representing five shares, fell 1.1 percent to $19.76 at the close in New York trading.

Source: Bloomberg

The next generation Tata Manza could take design cues from Manza diesel hybrid concept!

At the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, Tata Motors showcased a diesel hybrid concept of the Manza sedan. So striking were the concept sedan’s looks that a few of our readers even remarked that Tata should begin putting the design team behind Tata’s concept cars to work for existing and future Tata production cars. That said, our sources working closely with Tata Motors new car development plans tell us that the next generation Manza could indeed borrow styling cues from the Manza diesel hybrid concept sedan showcased at the exposition.

Tata Manza Diesel Hybrid Concept - Front Look

The biggest and most prominent change on the Tata Manza Hybrid Concept was the front end. The rest of the car though retains the body shell of the Manza with the overall profile being very similar to the current production versions. The Manza Hybrid’s front end, a place where most of the action is, exhibits a sharp snout. The grille gets a sporty honeycomb effect while the headlamps are sharply raked units unlike the curved headlamps on the production model. Also, the traditional Tata smiling face is retained on the concept, making it look unmistakably Tata from the front.

Tata Manza Diesel Hybrid Concept at the 2012 Auto Expo

The style job continues to the rear as well where the Manza Hybrid concept gets smoked out tail lamps which feature a band new design along with new bumper styling. Viewed from the sides though, the Manza still retains some heavy and bulbous lines creeping in, as is the case with the existing version of the Manza. Despite this, if Tata Motors actually incorporate these styling elements in the next generation version of the Manza, the car could become one heck of a looker. All in the all, the Manza Hybrid concept looked quite ravishing with most show goers appreciating the design language that the car exhibited.

Source: ICB

2012 AUTO EXPO - Tata Ultra unveiled!

Tata Ultra LCV Range unvieled

Tata Motors has unveiled their new range of Light Commercial Vehicles at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Tata Ultra is a more modern LCV, that has more contemporary features and looks and is essentially the new-generation Tata 407.

The Ultra LCV range will have variants between 5 and 14 tonnes that will be powered by new generation 3.0-litre engines that make 138 bhp and 5.0-litre engines that make 168 bhp. The engines are common-rail DiCOR 16 valve engines. The new ultra range is very modern looking and has a load cab body keeping in trend with contemporary CV design. The new ultra also has clear lens headlamps, new instrument cluster that indicates current mileage and full trip mileage. To make things easier for the driver, power steering as well as integrated headrests are also included. The steering is hydraulic and the steering wheel is adjustable for reach as well as rake, it is also collapsible. Cabin tilt is present too.

The Ultra range also is one of the first light commercial vehicles to come with radial tyres and disc brakes on all wheels.

Tata motors also unveiled an Ace EX with a new front fascia. This LCV comes with new headlamps, new grille and 13-inch tyres as compared to the 12-inchers on the old Ace. It comes with a 5-speed gearbox as opposed to the 4-speed unit in the old one. It gives a 1-1.5 kpl benefit as compared to the old model. It also has new seat fabric, a new insrument cluster, mobile charging point.

Tata Motors also displayed a diesel hybrid based on the Manza. It comes with a floating gear selector like in the Jaguar XF.



They also featured the LPT323 which is India's first 5-axle rigid truck. It can carry loads up to 25 tonnes which can is excellent for moving steel and construction equipment

Source: Business Standard Motoring

Tata Manza Diesel Electric Hybrid concept showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo!

Tata Manza Diesel Electric Hybrid Concept

Tata Motors showcased what was India’s first diesel hybrid concept in the form of the Tata Manza Diesel Electric Hybrid concept, at the Auto Expo 2012. Currently, the only diesel plug-in hybrid in production is the Volvo V70 while the other production diesel hybrid, albeit a non plug-in version is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 Crossover. Therefore, the Tata Manza Diesel Hybrid Concept is a special car for it is the first Indian diesel hybrid concept, a tribe of cars that will only grow in the coming times.

The Tata Manza Diesel Hybrid uses a 1.05 Liter common rail turbo diesel engine that produces about 60 Bhp. This engine is mated to an automatic CVT transmission that also receives power from a 45 KW electric motor giving the car its hybrid credentials. The Manza Hybrid features a 44 liter diesel tank, which means that it will be good for a range of close to a whopping 1,000 kilometers when combined with electric power.

Tata Manza Diesel Electric Hybrid Concept

The Manza Diesel Hybrid is designed to operate as both a series as well as a parallel hybrid. In parallel hybrid mode where the diesel engine basically acts as a generator to juice up the lithium ion battery, this car will have a really huge range per tankful and will really frugal if it ever goes into production. The Manza Hybrid also has solar panels lining the roof, regenerative braking and a stop-start system to maximize mileage and tail pipe reduce emissions to a bare minimum.

In concept guise, the Manza Diesel Hybrid has the following additional features,

• Proximity touch operated door locks
• Bi Xenon and LED projector headlamps
• LED tail lamp cluster
• Hydrophobic nano coating on the windshield
• Touch screen infotainment console with haptic feedback
• ABS and airbags

Source: ICB

Tata Motors keen to expand operations in Myanmar

India's Tata Motors is looking to expand operations in Myanmar by assembling and selling buses and light commercial vehicles there, the head of its Indian operations said.



Tata currently operates a truck assembly plant in Myanmar, but is now looking at a larger presence in the South East Asian nation as it moves quickly to implement political reforms and attract investments.

"At the moment we are assembling the larger commercial vehicles...we can look at buses and probably the smaller commercial vehicles," P.M. Telang, managing director of Tata Motors' India operations, told reporters.

The political opening has accelerated since last year when Myanmar's generals installed a new civilian government, released political prisoners and reached out to armed ethnic groups, but economic sanctions are yet to be lifted.

Tata Motors, whose range of cars extends from the ultra-cheap Nano, to British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover, is also looking at the potential for manufacturing cars in Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar, Telang said.

The automaker sells its vehicles in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

Car sales have slowed down in its home country, hurt by rising finance rates and rising input costs. India's car sales, which grew 30 per cent in the year ended March 2011, are expected to be flat in the current financial year.

Tata Motors posted a wider than expected fall in September quarter earnings due to high interest costs and exchange rate fluctuations.

The company has earmarked 30 billion rupees ($568 million) as capital expenditure for the financial year beginning on April 1, Telang said, almost similar to the current fiscal year's levels.



Source: Economic Times