The Hindu Business Line : Tata Motors' Ace touches one-lakh mark

Mumbai March 19 Tata Motors rolled out its 1,00,000th Ace, its mini-truck, 20 months after its launch, from the company's Pune plant. It was flagged off by Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Motors.

The Ace, suitable for urban and rural use, is powered by a small twin cylinder 16PS IDI 700cc diesel engine, and has a turning radius of 4.3 metres. Besides being introduced in all major States in the country, it has also been launched in Sri Lanka, said a press release.

Mr Ravi Kant, Managing Director, Tata Motors, said, "We are happy that we have been able to meet customers' need for a mini-truck for the last-mile connection, while providing comfort, style and easy maintenance. What particularly pleases us is that the Ace has been able to generate self-employment, with many of its owners being individuals who have entered the transportation industry for the first time."

Tata Motors is setting up a dedicated plant for Ace at Pant Nagar in Uttaranchal, with an annual capacity of 2,50,000 units. The plant will begin production this year.

Tata Ace HT (High Torque), a special variant to deal with a wide variety of gradients, especially in the North Eastern region has also been recently launched.

Applications

The company has developed several applications of the Tata ACE, such as water tanker, delivery van — box type (for high-volume low-weight cargo), delivery van — bodyline (for precious cargo and courier services), garbage tipper, D'Siltman (for desilting underground drainage and wells), dumper placer and ACE elevated platform. Tata Motors, the country's largest automobile company, registered revenues of $ 5.5 billion in 2005-06.

With over four million Tata vehicles plying in the country, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles, the company said on Monday.

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