In an effort to consolidate its position as the leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in the domestic market and increase its volumes from exports, Tata Motors has decided to focus on manufacturing of hybrid and electric buses, premium trucks like the Prima and Signa range, and further development of the existing range of light commercial vehicles.
The in order to retain the volumes in the bus segment the company has developed the country’s first CNG hybrid electric buses in the twelve metre range which is ready to hit the streets in the current year. The vehicle has electronically controlled suspension and braking system and research and development of the vehicle took place in India over the couple of years.
The company has also developed a new bus know as ultra electric which runs completely on electricity but according to R Ramakrishnan, vice president, commercial vehicle, the commercial success of the vehicle depends on the infrastructure created by the government like charging stations.
In an exclusive the interaction with FE, R Ramakrishnan, said, “ We are trying to go beyond transportation. Tata motors is striving to make complete systems and complete solutions rather than just making products. There will be shift towards vehicles which will go beyond just transportation.”
The Mumbai based manufacturer also showcased the Prima 40 premium truck and it is the first time in India a manufacturer has managed to make truck with an engine of 400 horse power. Besides the Prima, the Signa range of heavy trucks are yet to be unveiled by the company. The Signa trucks will be placed in just in between the Prima and Ultra range of trucks.
The company will launch the Signa range of tippers in the next six months. Tata motors export the Prima range of trucks in 40 countries and the company always have one eye towards exports while making these trucks and buses.
“Our focus was certainly on exports especially with products like Prima. Earlier, in some of the markets we could not compete but with the advent of Prima we have managed to compete with any manufacturers,” explained Ramakrishnan.
In the light commercial vehicle segment, Tata motors will launch the Ace mega XL which will be slotted in between the less than one two tonne and pick up trucks. Tata motors saw the monthly light commercial volumes increase in the last two months after a decrease of ten consecutive months.
