The Hindu Business Line : Tata to unveil Rs 1 lakh car at Jan 10 Auto Expo

What’s said
Made using more plastic to reduce weight.
Capable of delivering 25 km/litre on petrol.
Acceleration wise same as that of a Maruti 800.

Our Bureau

Mumbai, Dec. 19 Car enthusiasts can get the first glimpse of the much talked about Tata Motors’ Rs 1-lakh car during the ninth Auto Expo scheduled in New Delhi on January 10. However, commercial launch of the model will not take place before mid-2008.

Tata Motors will be jointly participating with Fiat in the expo, which begins on January 9, and will be spread over a pavilion of over 5,200 square metres.

The expo, a biennial event, has been showcasing the Indian automobile and auto component industry for the last 18 years.

The Rs 1-lakh car, which the Tatas say will be a “people’s car”, has been much talked about not only in India but in the global arena in recent times.

The company, which has kept a tight lid on engineering specifications of the model, says the car will create a paradigm shift in low-cost transportation.

Tata Motors Chairman, Mr Ratan N. Tata, first conceived the idea of providing a vehicle for low cost transportation in 2003.

640-acre space

Work on the project is in full swing at Singur, where the plant is coming up in an area of 640 acres, while another 290 acres has been set aside for 55 vendors.

An independent non-executive director was quoted as saying that the model will be an eco-car, capable of delivering a mileage of 25 km a litre on petrol.

“Acceleration wise it is the same as that of a Maruti 800,” he said. In fact, he had taken a drive in a prototype of the car, describing his experience as “amazing”.

More plastic

The car is said to be made using more plastic in an effort by Tata engineers to reduce weight of the vehicle, and less number of bolts.

The New Delhi auto expo, where the model will be unveiled, is expected to give car enthusiasts more details of its the look and engineering specifications.

“In keeping with the company’s tradition of unveiling its new cars at the auto expo, the company will present its people’s car,at a special ceremony on January 10,” the company said.

Tata Motors will also display a range of new passenger vehicles at the expo, while Fiat will display passenger cars from its international range.

From its commercial vehicles stable, Tata Motors’ displays will include buses from the joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, newly-developed multi-axle heavy trucks, pickup vehicles, applications of panel vans, and new mini-trucks.