The Tatas are keenly looking at entering the medium and heavy commercial vehicles market as well as the passenger car market in Thailand in the next two years. The Tatas have also brought in Ace ? the small truck ? into Thailand with the launch on Tuesday at the Bangkok Motor Show.
Speaking to the press, Ajit Venkatrakan, CEO, Tata Motors (Thailand), said, ?We are looking at launching MCVs &HCVs as well as passenger cars in Thailand market. We hope to enter the market in the next two years and will weigh the option of exporting (from Thailand) to countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, considered to be potential markets.? Responding to queries, he said, ?We have set up teams to study the potential for the possibility of launching MCVs & HCVs as well as passenger cars (particularly small cars) which hold huge opportunities in these markets. We need to launch these vehicles soon. Both the proposals are being considered together.?
Tata Motors, which also displayed the electric Vista, is looking at launching it first in European markets and then into other markets, including in India. ?We have tested the electric vehicle in European markets and we hope to launch them once we feel comfortable,? he said.
According to him, Tata Motors is expecting 5% market share in the pick-up segment in Thailand in the next three years. Tata Motors, since its pick-up vehicle Xenon?s launch two years ago, currently holds 2% market share. ?The pick-up segment holds the largest market share of 45% in the 750,000 units automotive industry in Thailand and is growing year after year.?
?With the launch of Ace in Thailand under the name of City Giant, we expect our overall market share in the pick-up segment to go up substantially. We hope to log 150 sales a month to start with and will ramp up our sales further through new dealerships, which are expected to touch 70 as against 40 in the next few months.?
?(Travel for this story was sponsored by Honda Siel Cars India)