India’s Tata Group to bring in 4 diesel cars

MANILA, Philippines - India’s largest automobile company Tata Motors Ltd. and partner Pilipinas Taj Autogroup are set to launch four new variants of diesel-fed passenger cars as the tandem remains bullish on the prospects of the automotive industry in the Philippines.

Pilipinas Taj general manager Nicky Mariano told reporters the company would introduce the diesel-fed variants of the Manza, Vista, Indigo and Indica in July.

Mariano said the group is pumping in P100 million worth of investments to reignite sales growth with its foray into the burgeoning Philippine automotive market.

He pointed out that the additional funds would bankroll the company’s operating expenses and other capital expenditures.

Mariano said the diesel-fed cars would give buyers an alternative to petrol-fed motor vehicles.

The Manza would be priced between P550,000 to P750,000 while the Indigo model would be priced slightly below P550,000.

The Indigo, he said, could be used by taxi operators to re-fleet their inventory of petrol-fed vehicles.

In the commercial vehicle segment, Mariano said the company is targeting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for the Ace and Super Ace models priced between P345,000 and P605,000.

It is also making available the Xenon pick up model in the Philippine market.

Pilipinas Taj has introduced to the market four petrol-based models – Manda sedan 1.4 L MT which sells for P600,000, Vista Hatchback 1.4 L (P565,000), Xenon 2.2 L diesel 4x2 MT at (P805,000), and Xenon 2.2 L diesel 4x4 MT (P1.125 million).

Mariano said the company would import completely-built units (CBUs) from India.

“We have to first see the acceptance of the market before expanding,” he explained.

He said the company is looking at opening three to four more showrooms in the country within the year.

He added that the company is looking at Cagayan de Oro and Shaw Boulevard to beef up the company’s existing showrooms in Cainta, Rizal; Marcos Highway; and Davao.

Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company with consolidated revenues of $34.7 billion last year. It has operations in the United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia.

On the other hand, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup is backed by the Diamond Auto Group and Pioneer Group.