Atul Auto's low cost utility vehicle next yr

Atul Auto is planning to roll out a four-wheeler utility vehicle that will have the lowest cost of ownership in its segment. The vehicle will hit the market in two years' time.

The company is also mulling to export its one tonne three-wheeler 'Shakti' to Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania and Angola.

The proposed vehicle, most likely a mini truck, will cost around Rs 2,00,000 and will give Tata Motors' ACE, which is priced around Rs 2,35,000, a run for money. The vehicle will have two variants of diesel and CNG.

At present, the company has fielded the 400cc powered diesel engine Shakti which produces 8.1bhp in India but plans to export its petrol variant abroad.

Shakti has a load body and a display arrangement that allows the vehicle a two-side opening delivery.

Talks are also on to export the Shakti Plus variant which is reported to be the vehicle with highest mileage in the 500 kg category.

"Markets in these countries are encouraging and the requirements are a lot similar to the models designed for the rural markets in the country," said Paul Zachariah, senior GM, marketing, Atul Auto.

The other competitors in the segment are Bajaj Auto and Piaggio, he added.

The company is also all set to start operations in its new plant at Haridwar which will have an initial production capacity of 12,000 vehicles per annum.

The new plant has excise exemption for 10 years, 100 per cent income tax exemption for five years and 30 per cent exemption for five years.

The plant will cater to Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Uttar Pradesh customers.

Apart from the standard vehicles, Atul Auto develops special purpose vehicles which are customised as per the requirement of customers.

These vehicles are optimally designed for specific needs with application like hydraulic tipper, hydraulic hopper, water tankers, mobile shops and chicken carrier.