Tata Motors launches commercial vehicle range in PH
TATA Motors Philippines, the local unit of India’s largest maker of commercial vehicles ( CVs), launched on Tuesday a range of CVs in the country through a distribution agreement with local partner Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc.
“The Philippines is one of our key markets in Southeast Asia and we are delighted to be a part of one of the fastest growing Asean nations,” Rudrarup Maitra, head ( International Business), Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors told reporters.
Through its partnership with Pilipinas Taj, Tata Motors will begin supplying the local market with its CV brands -- the Tata Prima Range of Tractor Trailers and Tippers, the LPT range of Light, Medium and Heavy Trucks, SFC 407, and the Mini Trucks range of Ace and Super Ace.
The company is also looking to triple its sales performance this year.
“We’re too small right now to compete with the market, but the company last year sold 400 units,” Maitra said. “This year, we are targeting to triple the sales.”
Other than the Philippines, Tata Motors’ CVs are present in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
“With years of experience in the commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors has analyzed and understood our customers well and are dedicated to providing them with best- in- class products and services,” Maitra said.
“We are confident that through our trusted partnership with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc., we will be successful in establishing a long- term relationship with our customers,” he added.
Jon Fernandez Jr., president of Pilipinas Taj, said, “We, at Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc., are proud to partner with Tata Motors to offer customers with sturdy and reliable vehicles.”
“We are looking forward to this new opportunity and are committed to catering to the commercial vehicle market with India’s largest and most trusted automobile brand here in the Philippines,” Fernandez said.
Pilipinas Taj will closely work with Tata Motors to ensure customers here get the finest vehicles and services that not only match their requirements but also their business needs, he added.
Tata Motors entered the Philippine market in 2014 with cars and small commercial vehicles.
Officials of Tata Motors and Pilipinas TAJ Autogroup Inc. (PTAJ) flash a thumbs-up as they stand next to a Tata Prima 6038 (6x4) truck powered by 380 Cummins engine, 9-speed transmission with single “H” pattern for easy shift during the Truckathon 2017 held at the SMX Convention Center on July 25. (From left) Rajesh Khanna (Head, Product Management Commercial Vehicle Business Unit IB), Rustom Nagporewalla (Regional Head ASEAN & Far East CVBU, Tata Motors), David Coyukiat (Chairman of the Board, PTAJ), Rudrarup Maitra (Head, international Business, CVBU, Tata Motors), George Blaylock (Managing Director, PTAJ), Ferdi L. Raquelsantos (Director, PTAJ), Cresencio Fernandez, Jr. (President, PTAJ), and Arthur Balmaldrid ( Vice-President, PTAJ)..