The Hindu : Business : Tata launches Safari with CRDi

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Thursday, Aug 04, 2005

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Business

Tata launches Safari with CRDi

Special Correspondent

First model to be fitted with the new diesel engine

CATCHING UP: Speedmaster, Narain Karthikeyan, with the Executive Director-Passenger Car Business Unit, V. Sumantran (right), at the launch of Tata Motors' new Safari DICOR in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI: Tata Motors on Wednesday rolled out a new range of its SUV Safari with Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi) engines, and unfolded its plan to offer other models with CRDi in the future.

Addressing media persons on the occasion of the latest launch, Tata Motors Executive Director (Passenger Car Business Unit) V. Sumantran said: "Yes, I think we have plans of upgrading all products and powertrain."

The Safari was the first model to be fitted with CRDi diesel engines and there would be others following it, he said. Expecting it to boost the model's sale by 25 per cent, the new 3-litre Safari range `DICOR' (Direct Injection Common Rail) between Rs. 7.83 lakh and Rs. 12.70 lakh.

"For the last two years, the company has been selling about 250-300 units of the Safari every month. With this new engine, we expect a 25 per cent growth over these numbers," he said.

Tata Motors' passenger vehicle sales last fiscal grew 27.9 per cent at 1.79 lakh units, though it expects the growth rate to drop to single digit this year due to a host of factors.

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