While Tata Motors is set to line up some brand new cars, SUVs and even electric vehicles at the Auto Expo 2018, the company’s commercial vehicle wing will be showcasing four new models and a range of new engines as well. Tata Motors had launched cost-rationalisation drive last and is now on track to achieve the first year target of gains of minimum Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal. In a conversation with PTI ahead of the Auto Expo 2018, Tata Motors commercial vehicles units head Girish Wagh said the company will be unveiling some industry-first vehicles at the expo.
“We’ll be showcasing an all-new LCV truck on a new platform at the Expo. We’ll also have a new high tonnage cargo truck and an LNG truck in the MCV segment apart from an industry-first inter-city coach bus, from the Tata-Marcopolo stable. We’ll also have a 12-metre all-electric bus,” he said, adding that Tata will be showcasing a total of 14 commercial vehicles across segments.
Tata Motor’s new vehicles, including ILCV (intermediate light CVs) and M&HCV ranges, will be based on the new modular platform. Wagh also said that the M&HCV segment will have the country’s highest tonnage – a rigid 43 tonne, 6-axle truck, and LCV range will have new products on the Ultra platform.
Also read: Auto Expo 2018: Tata Tigor Sport, H5 and X451 teased again, to be unveiled next month
In terms of engines, Tata Motors will introduce a new range of new Turbotronn engines with 5-litre and 3-litre capacities. “The 3-litre engine will also have a 3.3-liter variant,” Wagh said, adding that the engine will be developed in-house. Tata Motors has also asserted that these BS-IV engines will be able to be upgraded BS-VI with minimal changes.
Tata Motors has been investing an average Rs 1,500 crore in capex annually for the past few years and the investment is to go higher over the next two years to meet the BS-VI emission norms which will effective from April 2020, Wagh said without disclosing the actual numbers. Tata Motor’s commercial vehicles wing has launched 35 models/variants so far this year, and it will have 20 more launches in the next two months.
