The Hindu : Business : Tata Motors' ACE mini-truck unveiled

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Friday, May 06, 2005

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Business

Tata Motors' ACE mini-truck unveiled

Special Correspondent

Last mile distribution vehicle to complete the hub and spoke model Positioned as a last mile distribution vehicle

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

MAKING INROADS: The Executive Director of Tata Motors, Ravi Kant, with the company's mini truck unveiled in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: The automobile major Tata Motors has unveiled the country's first sub-one tonne mini-truck powered by a twin cylinder 16 bhp and 700 cc diesel engine designed for both urban and rural markets.

Christened ACE, the mini-truck is a new category in the commercial vehicle segment, positioned as a last mile distribution vehicle to complete the hub and spoke model. The sub-one tonne payload segment has been growing significantly and is now serviced only by three wheelers.

"The notion that one size fits all is a thing of the past. The development of road infrastructure has led to an increase in the distribution of goods across the country based on the hub and spoke model. The ACE bears testament to the company's consistent efforts to identify new categories and develop logistics solutions that will improve the lives of people. The mini truck will cut the cost per tonne of transporting goods by half,'' Ravi Kant, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said at a press conference here. The price of the vehicle will be announced by the Tata Group Chairman, Ratan Tata, at a function here on Firday.

The Tatas had invested Rs. 180 crores in R&D and plant and machinery for ACE, the President (Pune works), P. M. Telang, said, adding that the plant had a capacity to produce 30,000 units annually, which could be expanded to 60,000 with marginal investment.

The company planned to sell 30,000 units in the first year. The mini-truck gave a mileage of 18 km a litre, Mr. Teland said.

ACE will be launched in a phased manner and would be available initially in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Pondicherry. It has an all-steel cabin with a display of car-like features including elegant two-toned seats, clear instrument cluster, utility trays, magazine pockets, twin-blade twin-speed wipers and combination switches. It is capable of carrying a variety of payloads and has the agility to navigate narrow by-lanes.

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