In order to strengthen its portfolio in the urban transportation segment, Tata Motors has decided to launch a luxury version of its newly-launched passenger carrier ‘Winger’.
The company, which is investing about Rs 1,400 crore for the ?Ace? platform and urban transportation vehicles, will launch the new version soon as it expects a healthy demand in the city transportation segment. “We want to be a major player in this segment and will strengthen our portfolio and reach in the coming months,” executive director of Tata Motors commercial vehicle business unit PM Telang told FE.
Telang said the new version of the Winger, that is a 9-13 seater passenger carrier, will sport luxury features that would make it an attractive and more affordable proposition in the market. “We will roll out a luxury version of the vehicle that will sport luxury seats, though it will be a nine-seater,” Telang said.
The company, he said, was investing around Rs 1,400 crore for new products like Ace and urban transportation vehicles. ?Around Rs 1,100 crore will be for manufacturing operations like the Uttarkhand plant and Rs 300 crore for product development,? he said.
In June, Tatas had launched two vehicles aimed at urban transportation needs. While the 4-7 seater ‘Magic’ was developed on its blockbuster mini truck Ace’s platform, the Winger is an all-new vehicle. Telang said that the Winger had an annual capacity of around 15,000 vehicles and added that it could be scaled up as demand grew.
As far as the Ace family vehicles are concerned, the company is gradually ramping up capacity of around 2,25,000 vehicles from nearly 1,00,000 now. The company’s plant at Uttarakhand, primarily meant for manufacturing the Ace family vehicles, has begun operations recently after getting the necessary approvals from the state government.
The company has positioned the Winger as a long-distance transportation vehicle that can be used across different terrains and also for intra-city needs, useful as staff vehicles, hotel and airport transfers, tourist usage vehicles, ambulance, and school vans.