Rumour: Eicher, Polaris collaborate to build Tata Ace rival

Eicher Motors is rumoured to be developing a small vehicle in collaboration with Polaris Industries. The vehicle will be aimed at bakers or small distributors in urban areas and small and marginal farmers. It will be available in two body styles - double cab micro-pickup and multi-purpose van. Owners will able to use it to transport their produce or passengers.

Reports suggest that the vehicle is currently undergoing homologation. Its engine, which is a 600 cc diesel unit sourced from Greaves Cotton, is expected to return 25 km to a litre of diesel. The vehicle is built on a tubular platform and is expected to use a lot of composite materials. 20 kg of plastic is expected to be used.

Eicher and Polaris have committed Rs. 250 crore to the project. The vehicle will be built at a new facility in Jaipur starting in May 2015. 10,000-12,000 units are expected to be produced in the first year. It could be increased to 1,00,000 units later. Exports of the vehicle have also been planned.

The new vehicle is expected to be pitted against the Tata Ace.

Source: Economic Times