Tata Motors has launched the Novus range of heavy commercial vehicles. Designed by Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (which Tata took over in 2004) the vehicles are being made at Tata’s heavy commercial vehicle plant in Jamshedpur.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The Novus range is making its Indian market debut with tippers, followed by tractor-trailers, dumpers and cargo vehicles. The range has been optimised for local driving and road conditions.
Initially, the vehicles have high import content of 75% but Tata is looking at increasing ‘localisation’ drastically. The initial capacity of the new plant is 6,000 units.
Tata has refused to reveal the investment in the Novus plant alone but it is part of a planned INR60 billion outlay.
The new plant won’t just supply the domestic market – Tata is eyeing Novus exports to Asian and African markets. The vehicles are are also sold in countries including South Korea, New Zealand, Morocco, Ireland and South Africa.
Tata Motors is targeting the construction and mining industries with the Novus range as it can now take on Volvo in the higher end of the HCV segment.
The company said that Tata Motors and Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles will not be integrated and will continue to exist as stand-alone companies.
Deepesh Rathore
