India’s largest automobile manufacturer Tata Motors on Wednesday unveiled a range of ‘next generation’ commercial vehicles under the brand name ‘Ultra’.
The new range of 14 trucks, with capacities ranging from seven to 16 tonnes, are priced between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh depending on the variant and application.
Various applications
These trucks have been rolled out after carrying out ‘experiental’ (test) marketing, according to the company. Since 2017, Tata Motors had deployed more than 3,000 Ultra trucks for various applications such as tippers, water tankers etc., among independent users and fleet owners.
“We have been doing experiental marketing since June 2017 in the domestic market with limited number of trucks,” said Guenter Butschek, CEO, Tata Motors.
Asked why the company had opted for experiental marketing, which is usually done for passenger vehicles (PVs), he said: “We thought if it can work for PV, why can’t we use it for intermediate and light commercial vehicles [ILCVs].”
Tata Motors’ pursuit of developing an innovative product will continue, be it in terms of technology advancement, power-train solutions or periodical upgrade of technologies, he said, adding that with the new offering the company was raising the bar in the Indian automobile industry.
‘Based on feedback’
“These trucks have been developed after getting extensive feedback from drivers, fleet owners and captive users on comfort, convenience and performance. They are capable of meeting the global trucking standards of emission, safety and features,” Mr. Butschek said.
Ultra trucks have been tested and homologated into various geographies such as South Africa, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and many more markets, he added.
Mr. Butschek also said that the company had invested ₹1,500 crore in the commercial vehicle segment and the investment would increase in the next two years.
Girish Wagh, president, commercial vehicles business unit, Tata Motors, said the roll-out of the Ultra range of trucks was aimed at strengthening the firm’s leadership position in the ILCV segment. “With an increase of 2.7% in this segment in FY18, we are confident the new range of trucks will set new benchmarks and further strengthen our leadership,” Mr. Wagh said.
( The writer was in
Pune at the invitation
of Tata Motors )
