Tata Motors launches mini-truck Ace

Tata Motors today unveiled Ace - its sub-one tonne mini-truck, powered by a diesel engine - to tap the rising need to transport goods in semi-urban and rural India.

"Ace is going to be a sensational product, and create a new category of segment in trucks in the country," Ravi Kant, executive director (commercial vehicles) of Tata Motors, said today.

The price of the vehicle will be announced by Tata group chairman Ratan Tata at a function in the city tomorrow.

P M Telang, president (Pune Works) of Tata Motors, said the company has invested Rs 180 crore in R&D, plant and machinery for Ace, adding the plant has a capacity to produce 30,000 units per year that can be expanded to 60,000 units with marginal investment.

Girish Wagh, project manager of Ace, said sales of three-wheelers in India has grown from about 1 lakh units per year in 1990-91 to about 3 lakh units per annum now. "We got feedback from customers who wanted a four-wheeler that enhances prestige besides offering fuel efficiency, ruggedness, reduced vibration, and offered more space and rider comfort," Wagh said.