Cars & Bikes – 3 |

Ever since Tata announced plans of manufacturing the world’s cheapest car, the Nano has been running into troubled waters that started with the company’s commitment to stick to the ultra low Rs 1 lakh price tag. Even acquiring land for a manufacturing facility in West Bengal erupted into a major issue. The Gujarat government stepped in and the future of the Nano seemed bright again. But in the wake of all these issues, it was inevitable that the car’s launch date would have to be pushed back by a couple of months. The first batch of the sub-compact vehicle will now roll out in the last quarter of this fiscal year.Though the company claims that it will stick to the Rs 1 lakh tag for the base model, vendors have suffered losses due to the Singur pull out. The engines will be made in Pune and the intial target has been set at close to 50,000 for the first year. At a recently organized been informed that the company hopes to sell nearly 8-10 lakh Nanos within the next three to five years.

Tata Motors is currently assembling this monster of a machine at its dedicated Novus plant in Jamshedpur. But the localisation for the moment is minimal. As Novus is a 25 ton tipper it will soon be configured into an 8×4, 35 ton tipper with two steer able axles and a 45 ton tractor unit.The Novus compares well with most trucks available the world over. The cab as a whole with a few edgy design lines on the front and an expansive front glass complete with the plastic sun visor has a contemporary air to it. Adding to Novus up to date looks is the isosceles trapezoid front grille which comes with horizontal slats and is enveloped by sharp ridges mean while that move outward give the truck a very southeast asian feel. There are a couple of air intake scoops on the side on the cab too. The Novus aslo comes with two slots in the front, which one feels were incorporated to house the headlamps. Especially as these are flanked by indicators. The headlamps however are housed in the front metal bumper.

Tata Motors had a variety of products on display in the commercial vehicle segment. From its latest offerings like Ace, and recently launched heavy duty tipper the Novus, to new products it plans to introduce in the Indian market soon. The most significant of the lot were the buses from Hispano. The Globus range now receives the Hispano’s touch. The latter will now design the bodies of the Globus and Starbus ranges. The Globus featured here is a 36-45 seater intercity luxury coach. Housted in the rear is a 6BT Cummins engine that develops 230PS of power and nearly 800Nm of torque.
As is well known, the company recently acquired 21 percent stake in Hispano Carrocera SA (HC), a well known Spanish bus manufacturing company, with an option to acquire 100 percent holding. As part of the agreement Tata Motors will have the license for technology and brand rights from HC. HC, which currently enjoys a market in Spain, has buses catering to the intercity as well as intracity travel.