Tata Nano to remove tag of poor man's car: Ratan Tata

Admitting that Nano has 'wasted an early opportunity' due to teething problems, Tata Group chief Ratan Tata today said Tata Motors will do everything to undo the tag of 'poor man's car'.



In an interaction with media here, Tata, who is also the chairman of Tata Motors, said: "Many efforts were made to discredit the product. We never pushed it (Nano) as a poor man's car, but as an affordable family car. Whatever stigma is there in the market, we will undo it."

Asserting that the very concept of Nano is a robust one, he said: "The launches of similar small cars by others vindicate our belief that this segment was missing in the product line."

He further added that Tata Motors was "not much in competition with others as far as pricing of it is concerned".

When asked about the problems Nano has faced, like the fire incidents and the recent replacement of starter motors, Tata said the issue was mainly due to various parts coming from different vendors.

"Current upgrade should help resolve the problem... upgrade will resolve issue relating to problematic supply from vendors. Upgrade will also resolve the earlier issues and also take in customer feedback. We will look at variants of models to move up the value chain," he said.



Asked about the break-even timeline for the Nano project, Tata Motors vice-chairman Ravi Kant said: "We are maintaining the break-even timeline as far as numbers are concerned, we are on line."

Source: Times Of India

Review: New Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel SE

Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel

The new Jaguar XF's trophy cabinet is overflowing with accolades.

The new Jaguar XF's trophy cabinet is overflowing with accolades. In fact, I suspect if its trophies were melted-down there would be enough metal to construct an ocean liner. And not one of those 'pretend' cruise ship things – a proper hard-core Atlantic warrior. Frankly, this BMW 5 Series rival deserves to be praised until its headlights swell. The handling is a constant source of joy, the ride is smoother than the Queen Mary in a pond, and it looks tastier than a Captain's lunch. Now, here comes the really good news. This titan of its time – in entry-level 2.2 Diesel SE guise – is cheap. It costs thousands less than the top-spec Vauxhall Insignia Estate, for example.

That costs £36,730 - the XF is a bargain at £30,950.

The Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel SE has other virtues to irritate its competitors. For starters, this executive lifestyle statement is both fast and frugal. Expect to reach 62mph in a pleasing 8.5 seconds and to average a cost-cutting 52.3mpg. This increases to 58.9mpg on the extra-urban cycle. What a contrast to some old Jags that empty their fuel tanks every thirty yards. This was never a problem for my friend though, as his broke-down every twenty yards. Mercifully, the new XF feels far more robust. I wonder which trophy it will win next?



Source: Motoring UK

Autoweek's Best of the Best Truck for 2012: Range Rover Evoque

Audi A7 and Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover North America today announced that the 2012 Range Rover Evoque was named Autoweek's "Best of Best" truck for 2011. This marks the second year Autoweek has named its "Best of Best" - vehicles that best exemplify the pinnacle of automotive perfection, from the perspective of the automotive enthusiast.

"We are honored that the newly launched Range Rover Evoque has been named Autoweek's 'Best of Best' truck for 2011," says Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover North America. "This award recognizes that the Range Rover Evoque, the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover, demonstrates our commitment to offering more sustainable models without compromising the true off-road capability and great design that our vehicles are recognized for."

Eligible vehicles are new - or substantially new - for the model year. Cars are defined as sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and wagons. Trucks include pickups, crossovers, minivans and SUVs. The evaluations mirror as closely as possible to the Autoweek Reader Fantasy Camp Criteria, where the latest cars are tested and graded for drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior, interior design and fun factor.

"The Range Rover Evoque retains the luxury, refinement and off-road capability we've come to expect from Land Rover, combined with compact dimensions, carlike ride and efficiency that redefine the brand," said Wes Raynal, Editor, Autoweek.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced. The vehicle stays true to the core values of Range Rover, providing premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and Land Rover multi-terrain capability while embodied in a more compact package. The Range Rover Evoque achieves a 28 MPG EPA highway rating and sends a message that the company is serious about sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.



The Range Rover Evoque is available in two versions: a coupe and a five-door, with starting prices of $44,995* and $43,995*, respectively. Every Range Rover Evoque destined for the United States will be equipped with all-wheel drive and will feature a 240-horsepower, turbocharged, direct fuel injected, four-cylinder engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover Evoque has been engineered with Land Rover capability. It can wade in nearly 20 inches of water, operate at tilt angles of up to 45 degrees, and features the latest Land Rover Terrain Response® system, which has modes for sand, mud, ruts, grass, gravel and snow.

Source: Auto Week

Jaguar Land Rover to expand Merseyside plant and add 1,500 jobs

2012 Range Rover Evoque

Jaguar Land Rover is planning to double the size of its Merseyside factory and create 1,500 new jobs in a major boost to the Coalition's drive to rebalance the economy.

An expansion of the plant – one of the biggest car manufacturing facilities in the UK – comes amid growing worries over a slowdown in UK industry and the prospects of a double dip recession in the wider economy.

JLR's Land Rover plant in Halewood is at full capacity producing the new Range Rover Evoque and growing the factory will allow the company to keep up with surging demand for its products.

Sources familiar with the situation say the company is exploring plans to double the size of the plant by developing on surrounding land. This will represent an investment of around £100m, although the proposals are thought to be at a relatively early stage.

The premium car maker has already confirmed it is building a £355m engine plant in Wolverhampton and is redeveloping its factory in Solihull. It has hired thousands of new employees over the last 12 months to launch new models.

The release of the Evoque, nicknamed the "Baby Range Rover", has sparked another stage of expansion for JLR.

Its sales are up 30pc year-on-year. It is understood the company is on course to post new record profits for the 2012 financial year and could even make £1.5bn.

JLR employees were called into work over Christmas to work a special shift to help keep up with demand.

An expansion of Halewood, which employs 3,000 people at present, will take the UK another step towards producing a record number of cars. The country produced 1.9m cars a year in its manufacturing heyday in the early 1970s.

However, it could break that annual record within five to 10 years following £4bn of investment in the last 12 months from car makers such as Toyota, BMW and JLR.

JLR has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround since seeking loan guarantees from the Labour Government in 2009. Demand for its premium cars in emerging markets led to JLR posting record profits of £1.1bn in the year to March 31, 2011.



Under chief executive Ralf Speth and Indian parent Tata, JLR is investing more than £1bn a year into research and development. It wants to launch 40 new vehicles in the next five years, including a Jaguar sports car and a new Land Rover Defender.

The company is in talks with Chinese car maker Chery about a joint venture that would allow JLR to open manufacturing facilities in China for the domestic market. The car maker is also exploring how it can work more closely with British schools in order to boost the number of engineering graduates.

A spokesman for JLR said: "JLR has not made any announcements about Halewood and we do not comment on speculation about possible future plans."

Despite the global economic uncertainty, a new survey from General Electric says 71pc of high-tech manufacturers in Britain are forecasting their business will grow in 2012.

Out of more than 350 businesses questioned, a quarter said their business will grow by more than 10pc. The manufacturers said this is due to demand from emerging markets, the helpful exchange rate and internal improvements in products and services.

The growth predictions have been made despite only 15pc of manufacturers being positive about the UK economy. Also, 26pc said bank finance remained either impossible to obtain, or obtainable only on unacceptable terms".

Mark Elborne, chief executive of GE UK, said: "These figures demonstrate UK high-tech manufacturing is still a growth story and can play a pivotal role in turning round the UK's economy. It is encouraging to see that a good proportion of these firms are expecting significant growth in the next 12 months. However, we need to ensure conditions are right to help them grow and take advantages of the opportunities on offer."

Source: Telegraph

Tata Motors Dec 2011 Sales at 82,278 Vehicles; Up 22% YOY

Tata Motors' total sales (including exports) of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles in December 2011 were 82,278 vehicles, higher by 22% over December 2010. The company's domestic sales of Tata commercial and passenger vehicles for December 2011 were 76,663 nos., higher by 24% over 61,685 nos., sold in December last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) for the company for the fiscal are 626,770 nos., a growth of 11% over 567,004 nos., sold last year.



Commercial Vehicle

The company's sales of commercial vehicles in December 2011 in the domestic market were 47,747 nos., a 14% growth, compared to 41,986 vehicles, sold in December last year. LCV sales were 29,500 nos., a growth of 20%, compared to 24,558 vehicles sold in December, last year. M&HCV sales stood at 18,247 nos., a growth of 5%, compared to 17,428 vehicles sold in December, last year.

Cumulative sales of commercial vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 374,332 nos., a growth of 19% over last year. Cumulative LCV sales are 226,965 nos., a growth of 25% over last year, while M&HCV sales stood at 147,367 nos., a growth of 9% over last year.

Passenger Vehicles

The passenger vehicles business reported a total sale and distribution offtake of 29,417 nos. (28,916 Tata + 501 Fiat) in the domestic market in December 2011, higher by 47% compared to 19,973 nos. (19,699 Tata + 274 Fiat) in December last year. Sales of Tata passenger vehicles for December 2011 are at 28,916 nos., a growth of 47% over 19,699 nos., sold in December last year. Sales of the Tata Nano were 7,466 nos., higher by 29%, compared to 5,784 nos., sold in December, last year. The Indica range sales were 9,307 nos., higher by 57%, over 5,923 nos., sold in December, last year. The Indigo range recorded sales of 6,888 nos., higher by 32%, over 5,233 nos., sold in December, last year. The Sumo/ Safari/ Aria/ Venture range accounted for sales of 5,255 nos., a growth of 90%, over 2,759 nos., sold in December, last year.

Cumulative sales and distribution offtake of passenger vehicles in the domestic market for the fiscal are 218,100 nos. (207,225 Tata + 10,875 Fiat), against 223,894 nos. (208,709 Tata + 15,185 Fiat) last year, lower by 3%. Cumulative sales of Tata passenger vehicles were 207,225 nos., compared to 208,709 nos., till December last year. Cumulative sales of the Nano are 47,112 nos., compared to 46,760 nos., till December last year. Cumulative sales of the Indica range are 72,328 nos., higher by 3%. Cumulative sales of the Indigo family are 51,571 nos., lower by 19%. Cumulative sales of the Sumo/Safari/ Aria range are 36,214 nos., higher by 28%.

Jaguar Land Rover sales in India continued their upward trend.



Exports

The company's sales from exports at 5,615 vehicles in December 2011 are lower by 3% compared to 5,809 vehicles in December last year. The cumulative sales from exports for the fiscal at 45,213 nos. are higher by 6% over 42,660 nos., in the same period last year.

Source: Tata Motors