Tata introduces truck, tipper & pick-up models for SA

Mumbai, October 27, 2006: Tata Motors, India's largest automobile company, is introducing more commercial and passenger vehicle models in the South African market. Currently on display at the Auto Africa '06 in Johannesburg, these models will further strengthen Tata Motors position in South Africa.

In commercial vehicles, new trucks (6 and 10 tonners), tippers (2-6 cubic metre capacity) and bakkies (1.3 tonne flat bed) are being launched. These vehicles are aimed at meeting diverse transportation needs of the country.

In passenger vehicles, Tata Motors is launching the Safari Dicor, which will be available in early 2007. The company currently markets the Indica hatchback, Indigo sedan and Indigo Station Wagon. Apart from being the leading models in India, they are making forays in chosen overseas markets, including European countries.

Also on display for the first time at the Expo are two concept cars -- Tata Crossover, a 'crossover' vehicle concept, and Tata Cliffrider, a 'Multi-Utility Lifestyle Vehicle' concept.

Mr Ravi Kant, Managing Director, Tata Motors, says, "In a period of only three years, Tata Motors has emerged as the third largest player in South Africa's commercial vehicles market, and one of the fastest growing brands in passenger vehicles. Encouraged by this response, through our presence in only some segments, our endeavour now is to expand our range with improved applications, to reach out to more customers and build a lifetime relationship."

In South Africa, Tata Motors sold over 16,500 vehicles in 2005-06. The models currently being sold are Indica, Indigo, Indigo Stationwagon in the passenger cars segment, trucks in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment and Tata Novus tippers in the extra-heavy commercial vehicle segment. Over the years, Tata Motors has emerged as South Africa's leading player in various segments like 2-tonne, 4-tonne and 8-tonne. It is the market leader in the tipper segment, and is the number two player in the MCV (medium commercial vehicles) segment. In passenger cars, Tata Motors' Indigo Stationwagon has emerged as the best selling estate.

In addition to South Africa, Tata Motors is making strong progress in DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

About Tata Motors

Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company with revenues of US$ 5.5 billion in 2005-06. With over 3 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger cars. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are already being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia and in Australia. Tata Motors has been present in Europe over the past 10 years.

The company acquired the Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company, South Korea's second largest truck maker, in 2004. In 2005, it acquired a 21% stake in Hispano Carrocera, the reputed Spanish bus and coach manufacturer. In 2006, the company set up a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based global leader in body-building for buses and coaches. Tata Motors and the Fiat Group have recently signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an industrial joint venture in India to manufacture passenger vehicles, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets; Tata Motors already distributes and markets Fiat branded cars in India. Tata Motors has R&D centres in India, the UK, South Korea and Spain.

Tata Motors is part of the Tata Group which is one of India's largest and most respected business conglomerates, with a leadership position in Engineering, Materials, Energy, Chemicals, Consumer Products, Services, and Communications and Information Systems with revenues in 2005-06 of $22 billion, the equivalent of about 2.9 per cent of the country's GDP.

With over 220,000 employees across 93 operating companies, the Tata Group has operations in more than 40 countries across six continents, and its companies export products and services to 140 nations