TATA nano arrives

TATA nano Europa @ 2009 Geneva Motor Show

Tata Motors today announced the commercial launch of the Tata Nano, keenly awaited across India since its unveiling on January 10, 2008. The Tata Nano is BS-III compliant and comes with an all-new 2-cylinder aluminium MPFI 624 cc petrol engine mated to a four-speed gear box and will be available in three variants. The cars will be on display across the country at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships and other select authorised outlets from April 1st.

Speaking at a Press Conference, the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, said, “The Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers. From the drawing board to its commercial launch, the concept, development and productionisation of the car has overcome several challenges. It is to the credit of the team at Tata Motors that a car once thought impossible by the world is now a reality. I hope it will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car. We are delighted in presenting the Tata Nano to India and the world.”

The Tata Nano is currently being manufactured at the company’s Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand in limited numbers. The new dedicated plant, at Sanand in Gujarat, will be ready in 2010 with an annualised capacity of 350,000 cars.

THE THREE VARIANTS

The Tata Nano offers an incredibly spacious passenger compartment which can comfortably seat four adults. With a length of just 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, the Tata Nano has the smallest exterior footprint for a car in India but is 21% more spacious than the smallest car available today. A high seating position makes ingress and egress easy. Its small size coupled with a turning radius of just 4 metres, makes it extremely manoeuvrable in the smallest of parking slots.

The three trim levels and their key features available at launch are:

• Tata Nano Standard BSII and BSIII): The standard version, in three colour options, single-tone seats, and fold-down rear seat;


• Tata Nano CX (BSII and BSIII): In five colour options, with heating and air-conditioning (HVAC), two-tone seats, parcel shelf, booster-assisted brakes, fold-down rear seat with nap rest;


• Tata Nano LX: (BSIII) With the features of CX plus complete fabric seats, central locking, front power windows, body coloured exteriors in three premium colours, fog lamps, electronic trip meter, cup holder in front console, mobile charger point, and rear spoiler. Many of these features are not available on current entry-level small cars in the country.

PERFORMANCE & SPECIFICATIONS

• Performance The 2-cylinder engine – delivering 35 PS @ 5250 rpm and a torque of 48 Nm @ 3000 rpm - enables the car to have a top speed of 105 kmph and negotiate inclines with a gradeability of 30%.


• Fuel efficiency: 23.6 km/litre, certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) under mandated test conditions, which is the highest for any petrol car in India.


• Emission: The high fuel efficiency, coupled with a low kerb weight of 600 kg, ensures that the Tata Nano – at 101 gm / km - has the lowest CO2 emission amongst cars in India. The Tata Nano is BS-III compliant and is BS-IV ready. It is also available in BS-II norms.


• Safety: The Tata Nano’s safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements - it passes the roll-over test and offset impact, which are not regulated in India. It has an all sheet-metal body, reinforced passenger compartment, crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, besides mandatory seat belts and complies fully with existing Indian safety standards. Tubeless tyres – among which the rear ones are wider endowing extra stability – enhance safety.


• Warranty: 18 months or 24,000 km, whichever is earlier.

[Source : TATA Motors]

TATA to launch Xenon Single Cab : First single cab with original high suspension and giant flat load body

TATA Xenon Single Cab

BANGKOK, Thailand : March 17, 2009 - Tata Motors (Thailand) will introduce Thailand’s first single cab pickup truck with original high suspension, the Xenon Single Cab, at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2009. The new Xenon Single Cab comes with a giant flat load body that can be opened from three sides.


“Tata Motors is continuously developing vehicles that meet users’ requirements in terms of performance and value for money. With the launch of the Xenon Single Cab, we will expand our customer base to people who use pickups for commercial purpose in every region of Thailand. This launch reiterates Tata Motors’ commitment to providing its customers effective business solutions by lowering the cost of operations. This is achieved through excellent fuel efficiency and low cost of maintenance.” said Ajit Venkataraman, chief executive officer of Tata Motors (Thailand).

The giant flat load body in the Tata Xenon Single Cab maximizes the loading area. The ability to drop three sides of the load body provides easy access to the loading area and greatly enhances load carrying capacity.

This Xenon variant comes with the fuel-saving, 2.2-litre VTT DICOR diesel engine delivering maximum power of 140 hp and maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1,700 -2,700 rpm. It will be available from June 2009 onwards.

The 30th Bangkok International Motor Show will be open from March 26 until April 6, 2009 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), with a “Green Life on Wheels” theme. Tata booth illustrates the relationship between vehicles and nature by focusing on alternative energy. The company has collaborated with PTT Plc to encourage the use of compressed natural gas (CNG). Since CNG is produced domestically the increased use of CNG is beneficial to the economy as well as the environment.

[Source : ThaiPR]

World Premiere : TATA Prima - updated

TATA Prima Concept

GENEVA : March 04, 2009 - The Tata Motors Limited stand hosts the world première of the Tata Pr1ma (Italian for “First”), a styling model designed and built by Pininfarina for the Indian company, first official project - hence its name - of the Tata-Pininfarina cooperation in the fields of research, design and engineering. As part of a strategy outlined early in 2008, Pininfarina has set itself the goal of establishing itself in India where it offers its design and engineering services to local carmakers.

TATA Prima Concept @ 2009 Geneva Motor Show

Based on the platform of the first Indian saloon, the Tata Indigo, the Tata Pr1ma designed by Pininfarina offers an indication of how the next generation of Tata saloons could be interpreted, with a distinctive, elegant design. Conceived to provide luxurious comfort, this 4-door model has a sober but very refined design, combined with sinuous lines that give the car the personality of a coupe. It is a solution that immediately adds value, compared to the essential design usually associated with the Tata brand.

The Tata Pr1ma addresses a higher segment, and the external and internal measurements are larger than those of the Indigo, thanks to a longer wheelbase (2700 mm). The design balances fluidity and tension, which is visible in the lines that run from the front to the rear of the car. The result is an elegant look, and proportions that are both classic and modern.

The model’s sleek silhouette conveys dynamism and a strong temperament. The long wheelbase creates a generous amount of room inside, underlined by the uninterrupted profile of the doors, a clean, strong blend of the best ideas of Pininfarina design. Without limiting the space inside, the tapered rear end and inclined passenger compartment convey the feeling of a coupe, underlined by the refined treatment of the pillar, an element that is typical of Pininfarina styling and sportiness.

The front view and the shape of the rear light clusters merge into the distinctive lines of the car’s design, underlining its presence and dimensions. The roof stretches towards the front, conveying a sense of power and force. Each detail has been studied with care, not to decorate, but to underline the basic theme of the design and to raise the profile of the Tata logo.

Images : TATA Prima Concept

[Source : PININFARINA]

TATA prepares for European comeback in 2010

TATA Nano Europa

GENEVA : March 04, 2009 - Tata is preparing for a full-scale European launch – including the UK – in 2010, with both the tiny Nano city car and a fully-revised Indica B-segment hatchback – including an electric version.


But the launch will not use the Rover brand – which Tata acquired through its purchase of Jaguar and Land-Rover. Instead, the Tata brand will be used worldwide for small cars.

Tata chairman Ratan Tata was at the show to unveil a revised ‘Europa’ version of the tiny Nano, which will go on sale in India, priced around $2,000, in April. It’s just 3.29 metres long and 1.58 metres wide, but the Tata Nano Europa has a slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres.

The biggest changes are under the skin. Nano Europa will be powered by a 3-cylinder all-aluminium MPFI engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering. This will address one of the complaints about Nano – that it’s not as green as it could be. Ratan Tata said the gasoline engine will provide CO₂ emissions of less than 100g/km. Inside the car, fit and finish has been enhanced over the India-market Nano, and the Nano Europa has ABS, ESP and air bags.

TATA Prima Concept

Also on show was a concept C-segment saloon, the Tata Prima. Styled by Pininfarina, it is expected to go into production around 2012, and will form part of the Tata range alongside Nano and Indica.

TATA Indica Vista EV

The battery-electric Indica Vista EV is a true four-seater, with a predicted range of up to 200km and acceleration of 0-60kmh in under10 seconds. It is currently undergoing extensive tests in Europe. The EV uses super polymer lithium ion batteries which have superior energy density to conventional batteries. Tata electric vehicles will be produced in association with Miljo Grenland/Innovasjon of Norway. Tata Motors’ UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc, has a 70 percent stake in Miljo.

[Source : NEWSPRESS]

Thailand : Tata to Unveil The Xenon Super CNG At Motor Expo

TATA Xenon Pick-up Truck - Thailand Market

BANGKOK, Thaland : November 25, 2008 - Tata Motors (Thailand) is launching the Xenon Super CNG pickup truck at the forthcoming Bangkok International Motor Expo 2008, starting November 29. The TATA Xenon Super CNG is Thailand’s first pickup truck with a factory-installed 100-per cent CNG system. It offers one of the better energy-saving options available in Thailand and therefore one of the more cost-effective alternatives for the Thai customer. The Xenon Super CNG X-tend Cab CLE is being introduced at a special price of ฿ 519,000.


Speaking on the introduction of this first-of-a-kind pickup vehicle, Mr. Ajit Venkataraman, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd, said, “We are very pleased to be a part of Thailand’s automobile industry and to provide options to Thai customers that are both innovative and distinctive. Tata Motors’ pickup trucks are designed keeping in mind the requirements of pickup vehicle customers - low operating cost through low fuel consumption and low cost of maintenance. Vehicles that use alternative fuels, especially compressed natural gas (CNG) like the Tata Xenon Super CNG, are going to be more advantageous as the government’s policy is to maintain CNG price to at least half of the price of diesel. We are confident that customers will find the Xenon Super CNG a vehicle of their choice.”

The Xenon Super CNG comes with a 2.1 litre, DOHC multi-point injection engine with a maximum output of 115 hp and a maximum torque of 175 nm at 3,750 rpm. Its CNG system and components are state-of-the-art. The gas line is from Sandvik (Germany) and Swagelok (USA), the cylinder valve is from OMB (Italy) and the ECU processes data through various Bosch (Germany) and Valeo (France) sensors.

Compression ratio of the engine is appropriate for CNG. This ensures that combustion in the engine is always smooth. In addition, the engine is durable, fuel efficient and easy to maintain.

Other unique features of the Tata Xenon Super CNG are :

• It has been tested in all road conditions in Thailand. It has also been test-driven with CNG from different sources. The varying fuel characteristics have been incorporated into the engine tuning process to ensure that it is capable of meeting varied requirements of commercial pickup vehicle users.Its unique tank placement under the load body ensures high safety and optimal utilization of the loading area. In modified pickups, the gas tank has to be placed in the load body.It is being launched with 3 years / 100,000 km warranty.
  
• Target customers for Xenon Super CNG are both individual customers who use pickup vehicles for transporting goods on fixed routes, and also big companies which have very high fuel expenses. It can help them cut their operating costs by up to 30 to 50 per cent.
  
• The new Xenon will be showcased at Tata’s booth, decorated as a verdant jungle, befitting the ecological theme of the Motor Expo. Double and the X-tend cab Xenon 2.2L diesel models will also be exhibited at the booth. Visitors can participate in test-drives and enjoy various activities at the booth from November 29 to December 10.

Video : Thailand TV Ads.

[Source : TATA Motors]

Breaking News : Tata Motors says looking for alternative Nano site

MUMBAI/KOLKATA : September 2, 2008 - India's Tata Motors Ltd (TAMO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said violent protests had forced it to suspend all work at a plant in eastern India where it planned to make the Nano - billed as the world's cheapest car - and consider alternative sites.


The automaker said it canceled work at the site in Singur, an hour's drive from West Bengal capital Kolkata, for the past five days due to threats from protesters, who have been led by a regional opposition party.

The dispute reflects a larger standoff between industry in India and farmers unwilling to part with land in a country where two-thirds of the billion-plus population depend on agriculture.

"This decision was taken in order to ensure the safety of its employees and contract labor, who have continued to be violently obstructed from reporting to work," the company said in a statement.

The suspension came just as protesters agreed to talks over land seizures for the project, which analysts said stepped up pressure on the protesters to resolve the dispute.

The prospect of talks had raised hopes that the 100,000 rupee ($2,250) car could roll out on time in October to coincide with the Indian festive season.

"I am wondering how Tata can make a statement when talks are on (to resolve the dispute)," said Partha Chattopadhayay, a leader of the Trinamool Congress party spearheading the protests. "I don't go by this statement. I have to wait."

Tata Motors said it was putting together a detailed plan for the relocation of the plant and machinery, and was evaluating options for manufacturing the Nano at other company facilities.

It said the project's partners, who had started work at their respective plants at the site, had also suspended work.

Chairman Ratan Tata said last month he was prepared to move the plant from West Bengal state despite having invested $350 million in the project because of the risks to employees from the protests.

The Nano project has been billed as key to the rejuvenation of industries in West Bengal, where the world's longest-serving democratically elected Communist government has changed tack after decades of focus on helping agriculture and poor farmers.

The state government urged the Trinamool Congress to work together to retain the Nano plant in the state.

"It is very unfortunate. It is a very sad day," said Nirupam Sen, West Bengal industry minister. "I could never imagine the opposition would be so irresponsible."

The unveiling in January of the snub-nosed Nano was hailed by the state's ruling Communists, but protests have since gathered steam.

Trouble began after the government took over 1,000 acres of farmland for the factory. The government offered compensation, but some farmers with smaller land holdings have refused compensation, demanding that land be given back to them.

The disputed land measures about 400 acres.

The Trinamool has come under pressure to find a way out of the stand-off after industry lobbies and analysts warned the protests could scare away investors.

"I think this could create pressure on those opposing the project," said Abhirup Sarkar, a Kolkata-based economist and social commentator.

Eager to resolve an issue threatening its industry-friendly image, the state government has offered to discuss fresh compensation packages.

[Source : REUTERS]