Tata world truck by May 2009

Tata Motors will launch its high-profile world truck, meant for global markets, by the end of May 2009.
The truck is expected to take on the Volvo, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Skania, and Man.

Tata will manufacture its world truck using the technologies of its subsidiary, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles.

The Tata world truck that will be launched in India, will have upto 300 horse power, while the Tata world truck meant for the international market will have higher horse power.

The Tata world truck models will comply with Euro-III and Euro-IV emission norms.

Tata Motors will replace its heavy and medium-range trucks, ranging from 100-180 horse power, by the Tata world truck.

The Economic Times has reported that the world truck will be priced competitively.

Though, because of new features, such as AC cabins, the Tata world trucks will priced 5-10% higher than its existing range of trucks.

Meanwhile, reports say that Tata Motors is planning to manufacture a new light truck on its Ace platform, at its Pantnagar facility, in Uttarakhand.

The light truck, said to be called the Tata Penguin, will have a capacity of 0.5 tonnes. The Tata Penguin is likely to be launched by June 2009.

Tata’s truck sales have been steadily dipping since November 2008.

In 2008, Tata Motors had to close truck facilities in Pune, Pantnagar, and Jamshedpur, reports said.

In December 2008, Tata’s commercial vehicles’ sales dropped by 51 per cent, compared to the same period in December 2007.

Things have been marginally better in 2009 with sales of Tata’s medium and heavy commercial vehicles growing by 40 per cent over February 2009, though overall there was a dip of 40 per cent compared with sales in March 2008.