News from Tata

**shishirbn** · 19th Jul 2010, 13:33

good. This section is active now.

**shishirbn** · 17th Aug 2010, 16:44

Fiat India, the 50:50 joint venture between Italian carmaker Fiat and Tata Motors, has reported Rs 22 crore profit for the first quarter against Rs 166 crore loss for the corresponding period a year ago. Revenues doubled to Rs 967 crore from Rs 473 crore. This signals a turnaround in the three-year-old joint venture, given the losses it had accumulated in the past many quarters.

From January 2008 to March 31, 2010, the joint venture had a cumulative loss of Rs 971 crore. The loss for the last fiscal was Rs 272 crore. The Fiat India Automotive Private Ltd (FIAPL) had invested Rs 4,000 crore in Ranjangaon to build a plant with a capacity to make 1.6 lakh units a year. Fiat accounts for 70,000 and Tata Motors, the balance. .

The increased capacity utilisation by both the partners and expanding joint dealerships are helping the venture stabilise production and marketing operations.

Fiat makes mid-size Linea and hatchback Grande Punto and Tata Motors makes Indica Vista and Indigo Manza at Ranjangaon. The capacity utilisation at the plant has been increasing over the years. In the last fiscal, Fiat produced 24,000 cars and this year it hopes to double production, according to Mr Rajeev Kapur, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), FIAPL.

Source :: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...1650720200.htm

**dhruvj** · 11th Nov 2010, 01:47

Two years after it acquired the iconic British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, the country’s third-largest car manufacturer Tata Motors has firmed up plans to enter the premium sedan category dominated by the Hondas, Skodas and the Audis.

The proposed sedan, which would be the most expensive car from the company’s portfolio, would be developed with the help from engineers of Jaguar Land Rover.

Last month the company launched the Aria, which has been promoted as a cross between an SUV and a sedan, is currently the most expensive car from the company’s portfolio at roughly Rs 15.5 lakh.

Though no tentative price points for the car has been shared yet, sources told FE that the company wanted to leverage the technology of JLR to penetrate deeper into the premium car market.

The company is also looking to climb up the value chain and give its customers an opportunity to simultaneously climb up the price chain as well. “Tata Motors has the wherewithal to enter the category. It could be seen in the context of a completely new branding strategy from the company,” the source said.

“One segment where we are going to see more cars from Tata Motors is the sedan category,” the source said.

He explained the company was seeking to be an end-to-end player in the sedan segment, offering cars from sub Rs 1- lakh to Rs 25 lakh plus.

Currently, the company has started preliminary work on developing a new platform, which would roll out a refurbished Indigo followed by another sedan.

When contacted, the company spokesperson said, “Tata Motors does not give guidance on its product plans.”

Auto analyst with the Angel Broking Vaishali Jajoo said the Rs 18-22 lakh category was growing every month and Tata Motors could use its network to create a foothold in this category.

“They acquired JLR not merely to take over their sales. With the technology of JLR, it makes sense for Tata Motors to leverage it and enter the premium sedan segment,” she said.

Leader of automotive practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers Abdul Majeed added that the aim of the company was to be an end-to-end auto player. “Tata Motors wants to be present across product segments. From a Nano to premium sedan, that is the strategy they are following,” he said.

At present the premium sedan category contributes less than 2% to the overall passenger car market sales.

In October the segment sold a total of 1,452...

Source : financialexpress.com

**Road Blazer** · 11th Nov 2010, 02:58

whoa!! that is some news so the tatas are planning ahead already...nice!

the Aria is doing well and soon the perception towards the tata brand will change!!

the perception already seems to be changing with the customers...

thanks for the share!!

**Aargee** · 11th Nov 2010, 04:41

Good move; I was expecting this much earlier as it was easier for them to do this when they took over. Neverthless, its happening now. I hope some how they improve upon their A.S.S.

**v_power** · 11th Nov 2010, 08:41

This time they must release a newly developed engine.

**KRRaj** · 11th Nov 2010, 09:59

Wasnt a Car Prima displayed at the Auto Expo?

**avinash** · 11th Nov 2010, 10:13

hyundai and maruti suffered from the small car syndrome..their small cars sold big time but their big cars seldom moved..acceptability issue.
I'm afraid TATA could suffer from the same issue.

**PrithviS** · 11th Nov 2010, 10:16

the strategy must be same as the global players who have different brands for different segments like toyota has lexus like that ... because brand snob appeal is more in these areas .

**avinash** · 11th Nov 2010, 10:18

Originally Posted by prithvi_seln

the strategy must be same as the global players who have different brands for different segments like toyota has lexus like that ... because brand snob appeal is more in these areas .

but then, please understand that acura, lexus and infiniti (luxury arms of honda, toyota and nissan resp) all started by badge engineering their lesser cost brothers.