DHCV SET TO LAUNCH 3 NEW TATA VEHICLES

KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-HICOM Commercial Vehicles Sdn Bhd (DHCV), the authorised local importer and distributor of Tata Motors Ltd commercial vehicles, plans to introduce three new vehicles this year and a local-assembly programme in the mid term.

DHCV had sold 654 units of Tata commercial vehicles since its brand launch in 2015.

This puts Tata in 10th place among 28 competing brands in the commercial vehicle category, which includes pick-up trucks, trucks, prime movers, panel vans and buses.

DRB-HICOM Bhd’s automotive, distribution, manufacturing and engineering chief operating officer (COO) Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said the group was ready to move up to be a bigger player in the commercial vehicle category and selected segments.

“This year, we are confident that we have the right products in terms of technology, affordability and durability to be truly competitive in the commercial vehicle category.

“We will be offering three allnew products — two in the light commercial vehicle and one in small pick-up segment,” he said.

DHCV COO Chin Tan Hee said this was the company’s debut in the small pick-up category with an all-new product.

“Small pick-ups constitute two per cent of the pick-up segment. Tata Motors small pick-up is a highly successful product, many of which are reliably plying the roads in regional markets. We are confident it will help us gain a fair share of the segment,” said Chin.

With the introduction of its allnew Tata small pick-up, DHCV anticipates to garner about 10 to 15 per cent share by 2022.

This year, DHCV plans to achieve 150 units of light-duty truck sales to capture two per cent of the segment, which is expected to have an annual volume of 7,500 units.

Plans for local assembly are in place and would be implemented at the appropriate time in the near future.