Tata
MotorsLaunches
Pick-up Models
& Trucks
in S. Africa
Tata
Motors, India's
largest automobile
company, is
introducing
more commercial
and passenger
vehicle models
in the South
African market.
The models displayed
at the Auto
Africa 2006
in Johannesburg
recently are
expected to
further strengthen
Tata Motors'
position in
South Africa.
In commercial
vehicles, new
trucks (6 and
10 tonners),
tippers (2-6
cubic metre
capacity) and
bakkies (1.3
tonne flat bed)
are being launched.
These vehicles
are aimed at
meeting diverse
transportation
needs of the
country.
In passenger
vehicles, Tata
Motors is launching
the Safari Dicor,
which will be
available in
early 2007.
The company
currently markets
the Indica hatchback,
Indigo Sedan
and Indigo Station
Wagon. Apart
from being the
leading models
in India, they
are making forays
in chosen overseas
markets, including
European countries.
Also on display
for the first
time at the
recent Expo
were two concept
cars Tata Crossover,
a 'crossover'
vehicle concept,
and Tata Cliffrider,
a 'multi-utility
lifestyle vehicle'
concept.
Ravi Kant, Managing
Director, Tata
Motors, said,
"In a period
of only three
years, Tata
Motors has emerged
as the third
largest player
in South Africa's
commercial vehicles
market, and
one of the fastest
growing brands
in passenger
vehicles. Encouraged
by this response,
through our
presence in
only some segments,
our endeavour
now is to expand
our range with
improved applications,
to reach out
to more customers
and build a
lifetime relationship.”
In South Africa,
Tata Motors
sold over 16,500
vehicles in
2005-06. The
models currently
being sold are
Indica, Indigo,
Indigo Stationwagon
in the passenger
cars segment,
trucks in the
medium and heavy
commercial vehicle
segment and
Tata Novus tippers
in the extra-heavy
commercial vehicle
segment. Over
the years, Tata
Motors has emerged
as South Africa's
leading player
in various segments
like 2-tonne,
4-tonne and
8-tonne. It
is the market
leader in the
tipper segment,
and is the number
two player in
the MCV (medium
commercial vehicles)
segment. In
passenger cars,
Tata Motors'
Indigo Stationwagon
has emerged
as the best
selling estate.
In addition
to South Africa,
Tata Motors
is making strong
progress in
DR Congo, Ghana,
Ivory Coast,
Kenya, Madagascar,
Senegal, Tanzania,
Uganda and Zambia.