Tata Motors: The Story Of Epic Journey

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Nano becomes the first Auto Brand in India to cross 3 million fans on Facebook

Tata Nano has become India’s first auto brand to cross 3 million Facebook fans.

With its unique engagement style and consistent efforts, Tata Nano has achieved this feat in an unbelievable span of just 12 months. From fun FB Apps like Nano Expert Quiz to Drive with MTV and Nano Student of the Year, Nano has done several activities in the digital space to appeal to its extremely diverse fans. Tata Nano has also, successfully executed many on-ground-online integrated activities such as Malhar- Annual Fest at St. Xavier’s College Mumbai and NH7 Weekender at Pune and Bangalore.

In a recent report published by Unmetric, an agency that monitors over 5000 brands on social media and benchmarks their performance, Tata Nano was declared as the most responsive brand on social media with the highest engagement score amongst all auto brands in India.

Tata Nano was also the first auto brand in India to have set up an online merchandise store on Ebay.in to enable its fans to be able to buy a memorabilia of their favourite car in just a few clicks. To mark this occasion, Tata Nano has launched the Nano: Art in Motion mugs, which are now available on the online store at TATA® NANO® - Shop for your favourite nano® merchandise on eBay.

Marking this special achievement as the beginning of a new journey, Tata Nano fans can continue to look forward to some really interesting stuff from the brand in the coming year.

Tata Motors : Media : Press Releases

 

[dharmesh]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Nano becomes the first Auto Brand in India to cross 3 million fans on Facebook

Nice. But would be much happy if it would cross 3 million sales figure.

 

[vijay]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

The initial hiccups of Nano's getting caught in fire, on road, at parkings, all this issues affected the huge market euphoria it created in its launching time, delivery process and all made many many people to go away from their dream car then.No doubt 2012 nano was perfectly relaunched with no niggles or issues but that hammer was already hit on their sales, hope this year can change that and we could see nano selling in good numbers with new changes tata keep offering on this model.

 

[jagrover]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Domestic pv sales is the only concern. Cv sales are hit by the economic meltdown and TML cannot be blamed on this scenario. JLR sales are in the upward trend,especially LR with evoque & new RR doing well. In the long term view TML has very good future..

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

JLR success generates jobs in UK, more cash for Tata Motors

Jaguar Land Rover, the luxury car maker owned by Tata Motors, saw 30% jump in sales due to higher demand for its premium cars in the US, Uk and China.

JLR is the jewel in the crown of Tata Motors, delivering higher sales volumes and profits due to the premium cars it sells. Tata Motors sales in India is slowing due to lower demand for cars in a bad economy. JLR is helping Tata Motors generate higher cash due to higher margins from expensive cars sold to customers in China, UK, US and Russia.

In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sales (357,773 vehicles) were up in every major market due to new model introductions and update programmes and the company used the Detroit Auto show to announce its success.

China is now Jaguar Land Rover's largest market delivering its best ever sales performance in 2012 (71,940, up 71%). It is followed by the UK (68,333 up 19%), USA (55,675, up 11%), Russia (20,549, up 43%) and Germany (16,722 up 41%).

"2012 has been a strong year for Jaguar Land Rover with record breaking sales performance globally. All of our key markets saw strong progress, with demand for our premium vehicles setting new records in a very competitive environment,"Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover's Director of Group Sales Operations said. "Looking ahead to 2013, we are continuing to invest in our business to support our ambitious plans for growth and we will be introducing eight new or refreshed products throughout the year."

In 2013, Jaguar Land Rover will continue to implement its ambitious plans for growth and has announced a recruitment campaign to create 800 new jobs in the UK to support the introduction of future model programmes. More than 200 of these roles are supported by the UK Government's Regional Growth Fund.

JLR success generates jobs in UK, more cash for Tata Motors | wheelsunplugged.com

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Motors undertakes three day block closure at Jamshedpur plant

Tata Motors has undertaken a three-day block closure at its Jamshedpur plant from on Monday to align production with demand.

Confirming the development, a Tata Motors spokesperson told PTI that the block closure was planned to ensure alignment of production with demand and to maintain the health of the ecosystem.

The block closure in the Jamshedpur plant is the second in a fortnight.

Chandrabhan Singh, General Secretary of Telco Workers Union, said there was a week-long block closure in the last week of December.

The company had undertaken a total of 15 days block closure in 2012.

Singh said the block closure was undertaken as a precautionary as well as cost control measure in view of slump in demand caused by the prevailing slowdown.

Stating that the company produced 4,000 units last month against general production figure of 10,000 units per month, Singh said: "We are expecting to produce as many units in the current month as well".

Singh said the attendance of the block closure would be adjusted 50 per cent against employees' leave and the rest would be borne by the company.

The Jamshedpur plant produces heavy commercial vehicles, besides engines, cabs and cowls.

Tata Motors undertakes three day block closure at Jamshedpur plant - The Economic Times

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Motors rejigs business, aims to become No. 2 carmaker

Four months into taking over the reins at Tata Motors, Karl Slym, managing director of India's largest automaker by revenues, has initiated a major restructuring exercise with an intent to become by 2012 the second largest carmaker in sales and maintain leadership position in the commercial vehicle space in the country.

ET has learnt that the company has come out with a common vision statement for its two verticals — commercial vehicles and passenger cars — instead of its earlier norm of a separate vision statement for both. Moving towards a strategy to integrate sourcing within the two business verticals, Tata Motors recently appointed M Venkatram for global sourcing from General Motors, South Korea, in addition to appointing Ranjit Yadav as head of passenger vehicle business, who was earlier country head for IT & Mobile products at Samsung India. Ravi Pisharody's appointment as head of commercial vehicle business, was made in 2012.

The change in organisational stance was alluded to by Motilal Oswal, a leading equity brokerage in a research report titled 'Rolling up sleeves', by analysts Jinesh Gandhi and Chirag Jain, where they alluded to key structural changes undertaken by the company, including creating strategic decision-making function, programme planning function and a global sourcing function.

The research report said Tata Motors further plans to improve synergies between its four engineering centres (in India, UK, Italy and South Korea) and integrate backend with JLR on designing, engineering and sourcing, etc. In an interaction with analysts, perhaps the first after he took over the reins, Slym shared with them the "vision and mission statement" of Tata Motors and its key weakness areas and its strategy to change.

"Based on the feedback from customers, dealers and vendors, the new management has realised that lack of new or refreshed products, poor perception of quality, higher acceptance of Tata Motors' passenger vehicle in fleet impacts consumer behaviour," the report said. As a result of this, the new team is focusing on investing in product development, the fruits of which will take at least two years.

The company is leveraging on parent's brand equity to build product branding and restructure existing branding (if necessary), build excellence in buying and servicing process, with an objective to improve consumer perception of the products and enhancing consumer experience in sales and service in a distribution and service network, which Tata Motors believes is strong at the present.

Tata Motors is also aiming to reposition its micro car, Tata Nano, to excel consumer perception. "The company expects to be a credible number two player in the domestic passenger vehicle industry," the report said. On the commercial vehicle front, Tata Motors is working towards improving flexibility and reducing cost so that the company can reduce the break-even levels to 35-40 per cent.

With the market going through difficult times, Tata Motors is currently operating a single shift for five days across its various plants, the report noted. Despite its cyclicality, Tata Motors feels the commercial vehicle market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 10-15 per cent over the next 5-10 years.

In order to tackle the rising competition, the company is focusing on a proper product planning that ensures it has "right products to compete, reduce lifecycle of products and cost of ownership", the report added. Tata Motors is also aggressively eyeing overseas markets, where it continues to explore new markets for its commercial vehicles.

While it currently has strong presence in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka and parts of the Middle East and the North African (MENA) region, the company plans to enter more markets in Asia, the entire MENA, East Europe, the report added.

Tata Motors rejigs business, aims to become No. 2 carmaker - The Economic Times

 

[Vishwas]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Motors rejigs business, aims to become No. 2 carmaker

Four months into taking over the reins at Tata Motors, Karl Slym, managing director of India's largest automaker by revenues, has initiated a major restructuring exercise with an intent to become by 2012 the second largest carmaker in sales and maintain leadership position in the commercial vehicle space in the country.

...
While it currently has strong presence in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka and parts of the Middle East and the North African (MENA) region, the company plans to enter more markets in Asia, the entire MENA, East Europe, the report added.

Tata Motors rejigs business, aims to become No. 2 carmaker - The Economic Times

Good that they are taking major steps to be successful in this automotive world.

They have to re-visit their business policies and as rightly said:

"Based on the feedback from customers, dealers and vendors, the new management has realised that lack of new or refreshed products, poor perception of quality, higher acceptance of Tata Motors' passenger vehicle in fleet impacts consumer behaviour," the report said. As a result of this, the new team is focusing on investing in product development, the fruits of which will take at least two years.

Should be taken with lot of care and they'll start making a sound back-up.

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Tata Motors Group global wholesales at 98,968 units

 

[THE XOVER]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Interview of Mr. Ashes Dhar,head of Tata UV division by IAB,a great read indeed:Tata Safari Storme to get added features, sail overseas

http://www.flickr.com/photos/notjustshrawan/8096219756/​

For the Safari Storme, would you have variants higher than the current range? Is there room for a more feature-rich Safari Storme variant? Also, is there a possibility for the Storme to feature an automatic transmission?
Yes there is definitely a market. Many premium features can be incorporated in the Safari Storme. The next models can have features incorporated to make the Storme even more luxurious. And yes, I’m not denying any of the rumors. More and more features will get added. Maybe an automatic transmission as well.


The Aria’s been on the market for a while now. Do you think it is time to make some cosmetic changes?
We just launched the LX Pure variant. We’ll keep on refreshing the Aria and make it more and more attractive. It has done well but we want to increase the sales though. We want to make it a much more mass brand than it is now.


Do you think having a shorter wheelbase version of the Aria could prove to be beneficial? Say for competing against the Maruti Ertiga?
It’s a different market altogether. The Aria is a crossover and it can go well off-road as it can on road. It has its own value and its a luxurious product. It appeals to a different market and is positioned for that. As a company we’re working on many options and I’m sure in days to come you’ll hear of them.


You have shown a concept vehicle of the Aria AT at the 2012 Auto Expo. Can we expect to see this model this year?
You’ll see it in days to come. I’m not giving a timeline though. We’ve the capability. We’re just waiting for the right time. Whenever the right time comes we’ll launch it.


There’s a sudden rush of mini SUVs in the Indian market, we may have only a couple now, but over 2013 and 2014, more players are entering the fray. Considering you were the pioneers of the mini SUV in India (with the Sierra back in the 1990′s) are you looking to make a comeback here?
Every product has its own position. With Safari we’ve got Storme. We’ll come with a refreshed Venture very soon. We’ve got many projects that will take care of customers needs. Our plans are sustainable. Some are in design stages, some are in production stages. In days to come you can expect to see them. We’re looking at dominating the SUV market.



Tata Motors were also the first with respect to making a sub-4m product apart from a hatchback. Do you see any opportunities with the current UV portfolio to be kind of wielded or transformed into a sub-4m product? Maybe a short wheelbase version of the Sumo?
We’ll have some product to address the need. If you look at it, the Sumo addresses a particular consumer need. If there are new needs, then we need to get new products. It may or not be a sub-4m Sumo, but we’re monitoring the various trends in the market. We want to have a dominance in the SUV market, so whatever has to be done will be done for Tata to be the numero uno in this segment.


Will you be exporting the Safari Storme? Even for LHD markets?
It will be exported. For that matter, any of our products can be exported. Even LHD’s can be done. When we’re designing products, we’re doing it for the world market. The Safari Storme even complies to the European crash safety norms.


We’ve seen the test mules of the Indica XL. Will it be a 3-row car to impress upon the idea of extended practicality?
We’ve lots of projects so we do a lot of things. Its a part of innovation. There is a potential for 3rd row seating in this market and we’re evaluating the market.


Will you consider using bits and pieces of Land Rover’s mechanicals in your SUV’s?

Keep your fingers crossed! Thats all I can say. We’ll work closely with them. If we have the best SUV in our portfolio, we’re giving our customers something good as well. I think the Indian market has evolved a lot. We’ll give more contemporary products.

There are many interesting bits in this interview,however my favourite bit is the fact that Safari Storme meets the Europian Safety norms.
​

 

[jagrover]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Interview of Mr. Ashes Dhar,head of Tata UV division by IAB,a great read indeed:Tata Safari Storme to get added features, sail overseas

http://www.flickr.com/photos/notjustshrawan/8096219756/​

There are many interesting bits in this interview,however my favourite bit is the fact that Safari Storme meets the Europian Safety norms.
​

I have one doubt..
What is the right time for their products?
When this time will come
Better late than never.. is what I can say now.
Hope every things strikes the right chord

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Revenues may drop, says Tata Hitachi top official

Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery, joint venture of Tata Motors and Hitachi Construction Machinery, said its revenues may drop by 8-10 per cent this year.

"We will be roughly 8 to 10 per cent less than last year. For the last three quarters I think we will be about 10 per cent to 12 per cent less," Tata Hitachi Managing Director Ranaveer Sinha said.

Earlier, speaking in Kharagpur (where the company has a plant), Sinha had said the company clocked Rs 3,000 crore revenue last financial year (2011-12).

"The second quarter was particularly bad... there were also monsoons and floods. No new contract was awarded. Even for the existing contracts money was not given or paid. So flow of fund was not available," said Sinha today, who was here to launch ZAXIS 220 LC - GI Series Hydraulic Excavator in Andhra Pradesh market.

"Many infrastructure companies are going for restructuring of loans, because there is no fund flow. Projects are at a standstill. Payments are not happening. Banks expect their money to come back. So they have to restructure their loans."

According to him the situation may improve ahead of the elections. "For election to take place, somebody to come back to power, they have to make sure that the economy is doing well. I expect that before 2014, in 2013 itself, we will have much better budget, much better encouragement for infrastructure and I expect economy will bounce back in 2014."

Replying to a query he said the company is expected to cross billion dollar revenue mark in the next three years.

Revenues may drop, says Tata Hitachi top official - The Economic Times

 

[jagrover]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Revenues may drop, says Tata Hitachi top official

Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery, joint venture of Tata Motors and Hitachi Construction Machinery, said its revenues may drop by 8-10 per cent this year.

"We will be roughly 8 to 10 per cent less than last year. For the last three quarters I think we will be about 10 per cent to 12 per cent less," Tata Hitachi Managing Director Ranaveer Sinha said.

Earlier, speaking in Kharagpur (where the company has a plant), Sinha had said the company clocked Rs 3,000 crore revenue last financial year (2011-12).

"The second quarter was particularly bad... there were also monsoons and floods. No new contract was awarded. Even for the existing contracts money was not given or paid. So flow of fund was not available," said Sinha today, who was here to launch ZAXIS 220 LC - GI Series Hydraulic Excavator in Andhra Pradesh market.

"Many infrastructure companies are going for restructuring of loans, because there is no fund flow. Projects are at a standstill. Payments are not happening. Banks expect their money to come back. So they have to restructure their loans."

According to him the situation may improve ahead of the elections. "For election to take place, somebody to come back to power, they have to make sure that the economy is doing well. I expect that before 2014, in 2013 itself, we will have much better budget, much better encouragement for infrastructure and I expect economy will bounce back in 2014."

Replying to a query he said the company is expected to cross billion dollar revenue mark in the next three years.

Revenues may drop, says Tata Hitachi top official - The Economic Times

Its wonder to see monsoon,floods,election,budget everything affecting the auto industry.
Crossing 1 billion dollar mark is a really big leap

 

[jagrover]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Came across this one..
Tata Indica Vista Spied Testing On Expressway | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

 

[visran]

Re: The Story of Tata's Epic Journey from Trucks to Aria

Prince Charles to visit Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover in UK

Prince Charles will visit Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover plant in UK today and is expected to warn that Britain may lose its reputation as the standard bearer of quality manufacturing if the industry does not encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.

The visit to the plant in Halewood on Merseyside, north-west England, is part of an ongoing series over two days to champion the 'Best of British' engineering and manufacturing in the UK.

The next line to the country's throne is expected to warn Britain that it is in danger of losing its reputation as the "standard bearer of quality manufacturing and engineering" if more young people are not attracted into the industries.

The 64-year-old Prince of Wales will deliver a speech to say: "As a country, we are rightly proud of our industrial heritage, but we should also celebrate our continued success as the standard bearer of quality manufacturing and engineering throughout the world.

"From car production to quality shoe-making, from precision engineering to traditional craft skills, Britain is truly a global leader."

He will also launch the Industrial Cadets programme, a national initiative backed by the Department for Communities and Local Government to encourage young people to join manufacturing industries, media reports here said.

The idea stemmed from discussions between the Prince and Tata Steel back in 2010 and is being run by the education charity Engineering Development Trust (EDT).

Industrial Cadets aims to raise aspirations for students aged between 12 and 14 by building awareness of the manufacturing industry in their local area.

Prince Charles has been a vocal champion in favour of certain causes, including a greener Britain and encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth.

He is also selling eco-friendly toys and discounted pink baby shoes on his Highgrove store website in the lead up to his first grandchild - Prince William and Kate's baby - expected in July this year.

Prince Charles to visit Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover in UK - The Economic Times