Exclusive Feature by R.Natarajan, Mg.Editor & Publisher, Motorindia
In spite of the presence of several players in the field of commercial vehicles in India, Tata Motors Ltd., part of the $100 billion Tata Group, keeps maintaining its undisputed leadership position across all segments. Recently, the company came out with its new concept pick-up in the name and style of ‘Tata Xenon Yodha’ with several add-on features. The product, expected to revolutionize the Indian commercial vehicle market with the iconic cine star, Akshay Kumar as its Brand Ambassador.
The launch of Tata Yodha pick-up was organized in Chennai recently, which received overwhelming response. Despite the tension prevailing in Chennai on the day over ‘Jallikattu’, the customers of Tata Motors gathered in large numbers to have a view of the newly-launched vehicle model.
In his keynote address on the occasion, Mr. Rajasekhar V, Regional Sales Manager – Light Trucks & Pickups, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit – South, Tata Motors Ltd., said that as a public-listed company, Tata Motors has the high degree of investment from the public who have been well rewarded. Since the Tata Group management believes in talented personality it is a key driver of the growth of the group companies. It has recently appointed Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, hailing from Tamil Nadu, who is well-known figure in Indian corporate circles, as Additional Director and Chairman of Tata Motors Board.
While introducing the newly-launched Tata Xenon Yodha pick-up, Mr. Rajasekhar said in commercial vehicle transportation, the pick-up segment always maintains a steady growth in the last five years, with an average 10 per cent CAGR. He expressed full confidence that similar to Tata ACE thumping success in Tamil Nadu, the Yodha pick-up would also gain a major market share in its shortest period possible. The name Yodha is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Warrior’, which in Tamil meant ‘Por Veeran’ who wins the battle always.
Best-in-class TCO
Commenting on the various features of the Yodha, Mr. Rajasekhar pointed out that the vehicle offers better performance, reliability, prosperity, and low-cost of operation. The new chassis of the Yodha pick-up offers a minimum of 10 per cent better fuel economy.
The Tata Yodha is currently available in nine variants and it is the best-in-class vehicle for total cost of operation. Almost 70 per cent of the Yodha pick-up will be used for transport of perishable commodities. It has a 3-litre fuel efficient engine with higher torque. The synchromesh gear box fitted in this vehicle is the testimony to the Tata product quality. The chassis is made out of single piece without any joints offers more stability. In order to increase the ground clearance for the pick-up, Tata Motors has come out with a new axle which can give better clearance of 210 mm. Also, the new suspension offers better safety and comfort.
Since Indian roads are rougher and tougher, an Anti-Roll Bar has been fitted with the vehicle for better stability. The other features offered through the Tata Yodha pick-up include tiltable power steering, world-class cabin, CRDI engines with low noise, flat driving seat system for better sleeping comfort, bigger tyre for better mileage, etc. Besides, the vehicle can easily carry 1250 kg optimized pay load which is best suited for all applications. The company has also standardized its spare parts.
In order to prove the performance of the product, it has come out with free AMC-customised packages for three years / one lakh km running as a value added services.
Since Tata Motors is well known for CSR activities, it offers ‘Sampoorna Seva’ as part of the initiative to promote aftermarket activities. In fact, in Jamshedpur, where Tata Motors’ first plant was set up, the roads are laid and well maintained by Tata Group companies even today.
For any vehicle, pricing matters. Hence Tata Motors has launched the Yodha pick-up with Rs. 8,000 less compared to the competing products.
Mr. Rajasekhar has urged all the truck operators who assembled at the launch function to feel the vehicle performance by going for test drive. He also assured that Yodha pick-up offers more profitability than any other similar products available in the market today.
Mr. Rajasekhar, who has been the driving force of Tata Motors CVBU growth in the South, offered his sincere thanks and gratitude for the customers reimposing their faith with the company products.
Earlier, Mr. G. Suresh, Area Manager – TN 2, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd., in his welcome address, said Tata Group with more than 100 companies, is always maintains the No.1 status in every field, including automobile, steel, IT, tea, etc. It has been able to become the No.1 in all fields because of its full customer support. The other primary factor which contributes for the maintenance of the company leadership is that the group companies understand the customers’ needs better than and offer the right product.
The inaugural function witnessed the lighting of the traditional lamp by Mr. V. Rajasekhar, Mr. R. Natarajan, MOTORINDIA Managing Editor & Publisher, Mr. N. Karunanithi, Dy. General Manager – SCV, V.S.T. Motors Private Ltd., Mr. R. Alagappan, Head Sales, Popular Mega Motors (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Raghavendran A., Business Head – Sales & Service, Vinayak Commercial Motors.
