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Tata unveils plans for Merc-type mid-size car

Neena Haridas in New Delhi

Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company, always has a surprise up his sleeve. At the last Auto Expo, Tata unvieled his biggest secret -- the Indica. This year he has revealed his plans for the sedan market. The Tatas will be launching a luxury sedan code-named Magna sometime next year.

The Magna is conceived as a large, rear-wheel drive sedan, powered by a two-litre engine, to be available in both petrol and diesel versions. Said Tata, "The rear seat has been given prime importance, coupled with rich interiors. The car has been developed for different trim levels."

Will the Magna give the Cielos and Balenos a run for their money? Said Tata, "Well, the Magna will not be positioned against the Baleno, Cielo or any of the existing luxury cars. The car that will come close to the Magna in terms of size, dimension, comfort and luxury is the Mercedes Benz E220. Hence, I am not even attempting to compete with the existing models. The price has not be decided, we will announce at the time of launch."

The Magna would be priced between the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mercedes E-class, the car would also be available in higher powered engine versions, Tata said.

While Magna is the only new launch to come from the Tata stable in the near future, the Tatas have introduced some variants and face-lifts of the existing models. The refurbished models include: the Euro-II diesel Tata Indica which is only a Euro-II-compliant version of all three exisiting variants.

Telco will also make a two-seater roadster concept car called Aria, in association with auto-design firm IDEA of Italy. The sporty model is expected to create a new segment in Indian auto industry. The Aria would be on the Indica patform, and has been conceived with a 140 horsepower, four-cylinder engine and a maximum speed of 225 kilometres per hour. ''The launch date for the car has not been finalised as yet. We will be seeking customer feedback on the car and if we feel there is enough demand for the car, we would introduce it in both domestic and export markets,'' Tata said

The car, displayed at the ongoing Auto Expo 2000, is without a rooftop, with a 16 inch alloy wheel, low profile tyres and roll-over bars for driver and passenger.

The Tata Indica 2000 is a concept that has been developed as part of the petrol 16-bit multi-point fuel injection series and comes equipped with a 75 bhp engine. The car would better power and performance in its class and wear sporty interiors with white instrument dial and new, richer upholstery. It is likely to be available in three versions and extends the range of petrol Indicas on offer.

Asked to comment on the JD Power auto review which stated that the Indica had taken a bad beating in the market, Tata said, "The review was not just about car sales it was also about satisfaction. Now we fared badly in the satisfaction level because of our dealers. Our current dealers are used to selling trucks and they have not dealt with the suave Indica buyer. Hence, he is not up to the mark in performance. But we intend to solve this problem by creating a set of dealers that will exclusively deal with our passenger car buyers."

Another refurbishing has been on the Sumo which has gone through a facelift.

The Sumo Premia has a radical new front and tight body design. The lowered roof and the reduced bonnet add a modern look to the Sumo.

The new interiors and the dashboard infuse newness in the vehicle, while the side cladding and the intergrated foot-step give it the UV image. The Sumo deluxe has new improved suspension and interiors, console and new front grill.

The Sierra too has been given a facelift. The Sierra Rage is a facelift concept of the sierra Turbo and comes with a new fascia, headlamps and tail-lamps. "The sunroof and the new interior is meant to give it a new attitude," said Tata.

The Sierra Sport is an altogether new design philosophy, which lends itself to three different lifestyles/attitudes/applications. It can be converted into five seaters hard top vehicle, a 2-seater pickup or a 10-seater soft-top passenger vehicle.

The Safari has two new models -- Safari Blazer which is an upgraded concept with richer interiors and integrated footboard, new trims, headlamps, tail-lamps and new front grill. The Safari 4x4 has new interiors and a spoiler with integrated brake-lights.

Asked whether he plans to hive off the passenger car unit, he said, "Yes, that was the initial plan. But somehow it never got translated into action. But that is the idea."

The Tatas are also gradually trying to get away from the Telco image. Said Tata, "We have decide to name each of our companies by the business they are in. For instance, the auto company will be called Tata Engineering, the steel company will be called Tata Steel and likewise, Tata Tea, Tata Chemicals. We have not deregistered any existing company names or brands but slowly we are all getting new names."

Telco has already created a special business unit to handle its passenger car project and is now setting up separate profit centres for its commercial vehicles and appointing individual product managers for each category.

Separate business units are being created for its light commercial vehicles as well as medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

This is as part of attempts to streamline operations and create a seamless organisation. The organisational set-up for commercial vehicles has been recast with certain management level changes.

Although the passenger car business will become a separate business centre, there are no plans to hive it off into a separate company.

Telco's pavilion at the Auto Expo 2000 in New Delhi

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