Tata Motors to launch six UVs over next four years

In the market for utility vehicles in India, Tata Motors has been losing ground to its chief rival, Mahindra. The company is now planning a fightback and intends to launch six utility vehicles over the next 3-4 years. The range will include compact urban SUVs, rugged MUVs for rural markets and premium crossovers.

The first model to be launched will be the Hexa crossover (click here to read about the Hexa). It is expected to hit showrooms in the first half of 2016. It will be pitted against the Mahindra XUV500.

The Hexa will be followed by a compact SUV based on the Nexon concept, which Tata showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. This car will be less than four metres in length and feature a 5-seater interior. This vehicle is scheduled to be launched in the festive season of 2016 and will take on the Ford EcoSport and the upcoming Mahindra S101.

The third product in the line-up will be the Raptor (next-gen Sumo), a rugged utility vehicle which will target a rural audience. This will be Tata's rival for the Bolero. It is expected to be launched in late 2016. Click here to read about the next-gen Sumo

Tata Motors is also building two premium SUVs with inputs from Jaguar Land Rover, its British subsidiary. These vehicles, codenamed Q501 and Q502, are expected to be introduced in the second half of 2017. Click here to read about the Q501 & Q502

The company is also considering two more SUVs - one a 7-seater SUV on the X1 platform (codenamed X107) and the other a 9-seater based on the X6 platform, codenamed X602.

Tata Motors has the Aria, Safari and Sumo in the utility vehicle segment. All these products have been trailing their rivals from Mahindra by large margins. With the new utility vehicles, Tata Motors will try to regain some of the ground it has lost over the year.

Source: Economic Times