Tata Motors: The Story Of Epic Journey

THE XOVER · Feb 13, 2013

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

Tata Motor's 6X6 vehicles to move BEL's radar application for India Air Force

Link:Tata Motors : Media : Press Releases

It is great to see that our own Indian companies are coming forward in the defense related sector.The day India becomes fully independent as far as defense equipment is concerned would be one of the most happiest days of mine.Kudos to TML for helping our armed forces. [clap]

THE X-OVER

jagrover · Feb 13, 2013

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

THE XOVER said:

Didn't TATA and AL supply vehicles to the defence sector earlier to this [confused]

visran · Feb 14, 2013

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

Tata Motors Group global wholesales at 101,112 in January 2013

The Tata Motors Group global wholesales in January 2013, including Jaguar Land Rover, were 101,112 nos. Cumulative wholesales for the fiscal were 982,110.

Global wholesales of all commercial vehicles - Tata, Tata Daewoo and the Tata Hispano Carrocera range -- were 47,231 nos. Cumulative commercial vehicles wholesales for the fiscal are 483,460 nos.

Global wholesales of all passenger vehicles were 53,881 nos. Cumulative passenger vehicles wholesales for the fiscal are 498,650 nos.

Global wholesales of Tata passenger vehicles were 15,708 nos. Cumulative wholesales for the fiscal are 204,755 nos.

Global wholesales for Jaguar Land Rover were 38,173 vehicles. Jaguar wholesales for the month were 6,440 and cumulative wholesales are 43,089 vehicles, while Land Rover wholesales for the month were 31,733 and cumulative wholesales are 250,806 vehicles. Cumulative wholesales for Jaguar Land Rover for the fiscal are 293,895 vehicles.

Tata Motors : Media : Press Releases

jagrover · Feb 14, 2013

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

Again crossing 1 lakh sales.. [:)]

Good going Tata. New RR is also a hit.. [clap]

JLR helping Tata for sales and profit..

visran · Feb 15, 2013

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

Tata Motors Q3 Profit Falls As JLR Cash Boom Shifts Into Reverse

Hit by falling margins and rising capital expenditure, roaring Jaguar Land Rover(JLR) may be heading for a speed trap.

Rising investment is eating into the luxury carmaker's cash pile and raising the prospect of fresh borrowing, as falling profitability saw parent Tata Motors Ltd post its first drop in profits in five quarters.

Increasing reliance on lower-margin models such as the Land Rover Evoque and Freelander and adverse currency movements saw JLR's profit margin fall, and free cash flow (FCF) at the unit turned negative just months after it paid its weaker parent a maiden dividend.

Negative cash flow will continue in the next financial year, JLR says, as the carmaker that has propped up its Indian owner for the past 18 months starts a 2.75 billion pound ($4.3 billion) a year splurge on its plants and product pipeline.

Tata's net profit for the third quarter of the financial year that ends on March 31 came in far below market estimates at 16.28 billion rupees ($303 million), down 52 percent year-on-year and the first fall since the three months to September 2011.

Analysts had expected average profit of 28.9 billion rupees, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine.

Much of the fall was down to a slide in JLR's blockbuster operating margins to 14 percent in the quarter, down from 17 percent in the year ago period, due in part to a shift towards less profitable models.

"Over the next couple of years, they are unlikely to generate much cash. That's a worry," said Joseph George, analyst at IIFL Institutional Equities in Mumbai, one of seven with a negative rating on the stock, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine. "That's going to be a problem for Tata."

JLR had net cash of 437 million pounds ($684 million) at end-September, but as it ploughs money into a new engine plant in Britain and a factory in China, it will no longer be the cash-generating driver for its struggling owner, Asia's 7th-biggest carmaker by market value.

FUNDRAISER

JLR's cash was the primary reason behind an improvement in Tata Motor's consolidated net adjusted debt to operating EBITDA ratio to 0.98 in the year to last March from 1.21 in the previous year, ratings agency Fitch said in a recent note.

The storied British carmaker, which makes sleek Jaguar saloons and rugged Land Rover SUVs, raised $500 million in fresh debt last month and said it would raise funds from capital markets and banks to fuel its capex as required.

Over the past month, 18 analysts have cut their Tata Motors annual earnings estimates by an average of 7.9 percent, six have cut their stock price targets and three have downgraded the shares to a 'sell', according to Starmine.

The carmaker's shares - valued at $16.5 billion and India's best performing blue chip last year with a gain of over 70 percent - have fallen 10 percent since hitting a record high on Jan. 10, while the NSE index has lost 1 percent.

Shares in the automaker, which is also listed in New York , fell 2.5 percent on the Mumbai market on Thursday ahead of the results. The broader market ended down 0.6 percent.

JLR contributed around 90 percent of Tata Motors' net profit in the last financial year, so the UK unit's margins are more closely watched by investors than those at Tata's domestic business. Tata has used JLR's cash flows to service the debt raised to buy the British carmaker for $2.3 billion in 2008.

"Net debt levels will rise as both India and the JLR business will be FCF negative," UBS Securities India wrote in a recent note on Tata Motors.

MARGIN PRESSURE

Tata's turnaround of JLR through the worst of the global financial crisis won it many plaudits, but plunging sales at its domestic business in recent quarters has meant the subsidiary has largely carried its parent.

The Indian automaker's core domestic business manufacturing trucks, buses and passenger cars posted a loss of 4.58 billion rupees during the quarter, against profit of 1.74 billion in the same period last year, as revenue fell 20 percent.

The operating margin for the India business plunged to 2.2 percent from 6.7 percent in the third quarter of last year.

JLR's cheaper, lower-margin Evoque and Freelander compact sport utility vehicles accounted for 52.5 percent of all Land Rover retail sales in the quarter, up from 43.7 percent a year earlier, according to company data. Last month, the two models made up 54.9 percent of all Land Rover retail sales, driving up total JLR sales by almost a third, while, overall, Tata Motors' sales fell 16 percent - a third decline in as many months.

The pound rose 0.7 percent against the dollar during the quarter, denting profits earned in the United States. North America made up around 17.8 percent of JLR's sales.

In China, the world's biggest autos market, JLR's sales jumped 71 percent last year, making it the marque's No.2 market after Europe. The company is investing $1.7 billion with local partner Chery Automotive to build a factory in China, where luxury car sales are expected to continue posting double-digit growth.

Tata Motors Q3 Profit Falls As JLR Cash Boom Shifts Into Reverse | wheelsunplugged.com

achinjain91 · Feb 16, 2013

A lot of challenges ahead for TML from every sector of the industry, be it HMV or passenger cars.
Tata products have always been Vfm, but something extra needs to be done to make them desirable such as m&m has made itself. Merely making new ads will not work. They should be absolutely strict with dealers and tass in giving the customers a happy experience right from the start.
Also tata needs to do something about its over-reliability on diesel cars. The diesel prices are rising steadily and petrol market has a chance to expand again. Tata should cash in and introduce the vista90 again, if it works then it may take a nice slice from maruti and hyundai's pie. Nano 800cc or CNG will definitely help

It will take time and if it all goes right then tata will become stronger than ever.

visran · Feb 16, 2013

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

Tata Motors plans to launch new products in UV segment

Tata Motors is plotting a fightback in the utility vehicle segment against homegrown rival Mahindra, with plans to launch a slew of products, which could even incorporate technology from JLR.

The company, which is a distant second to Mahindra & Mahindra in the utility vehicle segment, is introducing a stripped-down version of its Aria model priced at Rs 9.95 lakh.

"We definitely have lost a bit of ground but we will get back with new products. There are lots of projects in the pipeline and we want to be a significant player in the UV segment," Tata Motors Head, Utility Vehicle Product Group (passenger car business unit), Ashesh Dhar told reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the of 3rd International Bus and Utility Show 2013 here.

While he did not divulge the new products in the pipeline, Dhar said the company has introduced a base variant of the multi-purpose vehicle Aria starting with the South Indian market and model will now be available at a price range of Rs 9.95 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

When asked if Tata Motors could use technology from JLR for UV products in the mass market, he said: "We have a lot of leverage from them (JLR). We will use it (technology) but whether it would be in a straightway form or in a different form, or whether it would be a mass market or a high end model would depend on the products."

He said at present the sub-Rs 12 lakh segment in the UV category is the fastest growing and the company will also have its focus there.

Dhar said Tata Motors enjoys around 12 per cent of the utility vehicles segment in India with monthly sales averaging around 5,000 units.

Mahindra & Mahindra, on the other hand, sells 25,000 units of utility vehicles a month on an average.

"We are definitely looking to increase our UV sales as we want to be a significant player in the segment. Our Sumo range is doing about 3,000 units a month while the Safari Storme has clocked 2,000 units last month," he added.

In the April to January period this fiscal, Dhar said the company's UV sales have grown by around 10 per cent to around 38,000 units.

Tata Motors plans to launch new products in UV segment - The Economic Times

visran · Feb 19, 2013

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

Proud that Tata Motors make Jaguar and Land Rover, says British PM David Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron today said he is proud of the fact that an Indian company Tata Motors makes Jaguar and Land Rover "that are taking the world by storm", even as he pitched for further opening up of India's insurance and banking sectors.

He made this remark while asserting that Britain is one of the most open and "incredibly welcoming" economies.

Addressing the staff of Hindustan Unilever at the company's headquarters here, Cameron said: "Britain is an open economy and we encourage investments.... We should be having a conversation, which we will have with the Indian Government about opening up the Indian economy."

"Trying to make it easier to do business here, allowing insurance and banking companies to do more foreign direct investment into the Indian economy."

Britain is one of the most open, easy-to-invest in economies anywhere in the world, he said.

"We are incredibly welcoming. I am very proud of the fact that it is an Indian company, Tata, that makes Jaguars and Land Rovers that are taking the world by storm."

Tatas bought iconic car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, after the buyout of one of the largest British steel companies, Corus.

"There are still many rules and regulations in the Indian economy associated with how you did things in the past, which we think if you change will make your economy grow faster, will deliver more jobs, more wealth and more prosperity across your country," he said.

"So I it's a good conversation to have but it goes both ways. We should look at the things we need to do to take our barriers down and we hope that your government will do the same." he said.

The Indian government last year opened up its multi-brand retail sector for foreign companies after years of political opposition and a Parliament motion against this decision was defeated in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

After allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, the government approved a hike in foreign investment cap in insurance sector to 49 per cent, meeting a long standing demand of the industry and its regulator IRDA.

Proud that Tata Motors make Jaguar and Land Rover, says British PM David Cameron - The Economic Times

dharmesh · Feb 19, 2013

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

visran said:

Open economy because there is nothing left in Uk itself, they need money from outside to come out of triple dip recession there are currently in. [anger]

achinjain91 · Feb 19, 2013

Our Auto sector is already open, Mr. Cameron. We have made a huge step by opening retail FDI. But, insurance and banking sectors will take time. It was a large hue and cry while passing retail fdi. And we will also have to look after our companies in these sectors.

jagrover · Feb 20, 2013

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

Tata Motors rolls out 2 millionth truck from their mother plant Jamshedpur..

Tata Motors' Jamshedpur plant rolls out its two millionth truck

World-class facility equipped with:

*State-of-the-art equipment and assembly lines to produce a truck every 5 minutes
*Over 200 models, ranging from multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers and special application vehicles, catering to civilian and defence requirements
*3D visualisation of new models
*Engine assembly shop, capable of supplying upto 200 engines per day
*Modern testing facilities

Tata Motors' Jamshedpur plant today marked a red-letter day with the roll-out of the 2 millionth truck from this world-class manufacturing facility. The plant manufactures Tata Motors' entire range of medium and heavy commercial vehicles, including the Tata Prima, both for civilian and defence applications.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Karl Slym, Managing Director, Tata Motors, said, "We are proud that the mother plant of the company, from where our operations started, has today released its 2 millionth truck. We have modernised the plant through the years, which today produces our most technologically rich and high performing civilian and defence products, catering to customers across the world."

With the plant manufacturing over 200 truck variants, ranging from multi-axle trucks, tractor-trailers, tippers, mixers and special application vehicles, the Jamshedpur facility has led the company's evolution into a manufacturer of global repute. Besides India, these vehicles are sold in South Africa, Russia, Myanmar, the SAARC region and the Middle East.

The Jamshedpur facility was Tata Motors' first, set up in 1945, to manufacture steam locomotives. It led the company's foray into commercial vehicles in 1954. It has been modernized through the decades, with a particularly intense scale in the last 10 years.

Modern World Class Manufacturing Facility

The plant houses a world class Design and Engineering Centre. The centre is responsible for the conceptualisation and integration of Tata Motors' current and future truck range. The centre undertakes complex digital design through 3D visualization of new truck models, including that of its features and electrical systems. It also houses a comprehensive facility for benchmarking, prototype planning, vehicle assembly, chassis fabrication and a customisation unit. The testing unit also includes engine performance testing, indoor and outdoor vehicle testing, NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) testing, durability testing and other performance related developments.

The state-of-the-art engine assembly shop manufactures the Tata 697/497 naturally aspirated and turbo charged engines, with a capacity of supplying upto 200 engines per day.

The Truck factory's main assembly line rolls out one truck every 5 minutes. The other line is dedicated to special purpose vehicles and for meeting the requirements of the defence sector. The world-class facility incorporates a flexible approach to manufacturing, such that it is ready to respond rapidly to changing customer needs.

The fully equipped Foundry supplies high-grade SG Iron Castings, and is rated as one of the highly automated foundries in the world. It has a technologically advanced high pressure moulding line, with a rated production capacity of 90 moulds per hour.

As one of the most modern forging set-ups in the country, the forging unit produces critical forgings like, crankshafts, front axle beams and steering parts for the automobile plant. It has a capacity to forge front axle beams at 90 sec per piece and crankshafts at 120 sec per piece. The Forge has been certified as ISO 9002 and QS 9000 by the BVQI.

The facility also houses a Cab & Cowl Factory, which is equipped with an automated centralized paint shop with a provision for metallic painting. Centralized Trim Lines lead to improvement in logistics flow and a Shower testing facility in the vehicle dispatch area. The facility is also equipped with a Clean room for CRDI engines to ensure a dust-free environment for fitment of critical parts and a Training Division and Driver Training centre.

Some key technologies in Tata Motors M&HCV trucks today are ABS (Anti-Lock Breaking system), enhanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, automatic transmission, telematics for fleet tracking, power steering, motorised headlamps, adjustable telescopic steering systems, cold start, on-board diagnosis, pneumatically suspended seats, keyless entry, light intensity control (for Prima cabin), music system, clutch pedal assist, electronic instrument cluster and other ergo pack features. Electronic stability control (ESC) in tractors and Anti slip regulation (ASR) are new technologies being developed.

Corporate Social Responsibility

While making technological, product and service advancements, the plant has been deeply committed to the communities among which it operates. Working closely with various NGOs, it has pioneered initiatives in Health, Education, Livelihood and Environment. These initiatives have resulted in significant progress in community and social forestry, sustainable development of wastelands, road construction, rural health and education, development of rural industries, water supply and family planning.

http://tatamotors.com/media/press-releases.php?id=838

jagrover · Feb 20, 2013

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

Tata Motors : Media : Press Releases

Tata Motors to launch MCV buses for intercity and staff transportation

Key features:

International styling and luxurious interiors

Unmatched safety standards

Comfortable and pleasant ride experience

Superior tubular structure which is highly durable and corrosion resistant

Easy maintenance and service accessibility

After sales support on bus body as well

Tata Motors has developed a line-up of world-class buses for the MCV market. The company today showcased two new exciting applications for intercity transportation and staff transportation at the SIAM International Bus & Utility Vehicles Show, at Greater Noida. Other new technologies on display included the luxurious Divo Coach, Semi Deluxe Starbus Ultra Contract Bus, the all new Starbus Ultra for school application and an ambulance based on the Tata Venture platform.

According to Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, "The MCV market is traditionally dominated by chassis sales but Tata Motors is all set to change this trend with our newly designed and company built MCV buses. The two buses on display are an effort to upgrade the market to a much more superior product quality in their respective sub-segments. These buses are specially designed for their intended application with an aim to provide a company built options. As leaders in the commercial vehicle market, we always look forward to bringing new products to market and this move is a step in this direction."

The new MCV buses are fully built offerings catering to both AC & Non AC contract and intercity applications. The world-class body has been built as per international standards by Tata Motors Marcopolo Limited., on proven Tata LPO 1618 and LPO 1512 chassis, which are known for its reliability and superior performance. The light weight body improves vehicle performance while still keeping the durability and strength aspect intact due to the superior body building process technology adopted from Marcopolo, Brazil. These buses are built on the improved Ex range on MCV buses which promises superior mileage, best operating economics and enhanced safety standards.

Front Engine Luxury AC Intercity Coach- 45-Seater: This coach is a hallmark of luxury when it comes to intercity and elite staff transportation. This smart coach offers the advantages of superior body building technology with plush interiors and sleek modern exteriors. With individual AC vents, luxurious push back seats and ample luggage space, it meets all long distance travel requirements. Built on the reliable 180 HP Tata platform, it comes with various advanced features like hydrodynamic retarder, air suspension, overdrive gearbox and tubeless radial tyres.

Luxury Non AC Staff Bus - 41-Seater: This is a luxury staff bus designed on the MCV platform to cater to elite staff and tourist transportation. With luxurious push back seats, and features such as wide gangway, flat floor inside saloon, separate driver partition and pleasant interiors, it surely is a treat for the passengers.

The two new buses on display will be launched in the market, in a phased manner shortly.

visran · Feb 20, 2013

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

jagrover said:

A pic from that event:

jagrover · Feb 20, 2013

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

visran said:

Prima trucks are a looker in every angle.. [clap]

I really wish to see Prima design inspired low floor executive coaches to put up a battle against the volvos and Mercedes..

Its high time to launch ultra series trucks. Also to introduce new lower variants in the tractor trailor segment from prima series [:)]

Bharath Benz is moving forward in a nice pace [evil]

visran · Feb 21, 2013

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

Tata Motors goes slow on CV production as demand falls

The country’s largest vehicle maker Tata Motors Ltd which witnessed a fall in net profits for the third quarter and with the overall auto market in a slump it has been tough times for the auto major. According to a report in Mint, Tata Motors has now halved production at its Jamshedpur plant and is reviewing its expansion plans as slowing economic growth has crimped demand for its medium and heavy commercial vehicles (CVs). The current downturn has forced Tata Motors to cut production by 30-50% at its plants in Jamshedpur and Lucknow.

Tata's net profit for the third quarter of the financial year that ends on March 31 came in far below market estimates at 16.28 billion rupees ($303 million), down 52 percent year-on-year and the first fall since the three months to September 2011. It was mentioned in the report that Tata has also asked some of its employees at the Jamshedpur plant to work every alternate month as production has been scaled down.

Tata Motors now reportedly plans to recalibrate its strategy by cutting on expansion and shifting focus to manufacturing new models. Low production has led to a cut in the temporary workforce at the Jamshedpur plant. About 2,000 workers have been laid off this month at this plant, which employs about 10,500.

Ravi Pisharody, executive director (commercial vehicles business unit) of Tata Motors was quoted as saying “Three-four years back when we created a vision for ourselves, we thought we will double our volumes every four-five years. But now it needs a bit of recalibration. So, the expansion that we were doing in terms of facilities, infrastructure and people, that will get into a little bit of rough weather.”

According to an earlier estimation, India forecast gross domestic product will rise 5% in the year to 31 March, the weakest economic growth in a decade. The economy grew 6.2% in the previous fiscal. As reported yesterday, Tata Motors rolled out its two-millionth vehicle today from the 68 year-old Jamshedpur plant even as it continues to operate the facility at almost half the capacity. The total production capacity of the Jamshedpur plant is 144,000 units per annum.

Tata Motors goes slow on CV production as demand falls | wheelsunplugged.com

Tata Motors: The Story Of Epic Journey

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