Tata Motors, which sees a slowdown in its passenger cars sales, is aiming for a turnaround with two new launches – the Zest (compact sedan) and the Bolt (hatchback). The company expects the cars, powered by its new high-tech petrol engine Revotron, to not only revolutionise its image, but also offer customers services such as ‘in-car’ infotainment.

In an interview with Business Line , Ranjit Yadav , President - Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, talks about launches and other developments in the company. Edited excerpts:

What can customers expect from these models?

The Revotron engine is a new generation 1.2 turbocharged, which will make the first foray in the market. We believe this will be a game changer for us. We have built multi-mode in it – ‘sports’ and ‘city’ drive modes – taking care of things like ‘stop-start’ on red lights and also ‘economy’ mode for not compromising on fuel economy. These features are normally there in high-end sports cars, but with these, we are extending the benefits to all consumers. The diesel (1.3 engines supplied by Fiat) variant will have similar features and options.

What about the automatic transmission mode? Will the two new cars have such options?

Not right now. But we showcased such options for the new Nano in the Auto Expo, which will be launched in due course of time and progressively we will bring vehicles with automatic solutions. Our hands are full with the two new launches and our channel partners. We will launch the Zest in a few days, which will be followed by the Bolt shortly.

What about other activities around the Zest and the Bolt?

We will have more than 160 dealerships (out of 250) ready for the new launches with new design language, fully digital-enabled and Wi-Fi. All our sales consultants (more than 3,000 people) will have tablet personal computers to explain these vehicles to customers.

For example, job cards for test drives will be made on these tablets (supplied by Hewlett Packard), so that customers do not waste time. Customers can get all cost break-ups on their emails. Lot of work is happening around making easy and effective experience for customers. We have been fixing our fundamentals and setting ourselves for the right opportunity to grow because there are lot of difficult things that we have done. But we are looking for aggressive growth now and it’s been already started as we speak.

What about other models such as Nano, Aria, Safari Storme and Sumo as numbers are still low?

We have recently launched the 2014 Aria and the responses are good. The Storme and the Sumo are also expected to grow as well, but our immediate focus is on the Zest and the Bolt. We are re-positioning Nano as a ‘smart city car’. We are getting positive reactions to the Nano ‘Twist’, which was showcased early this year. We are committed to upgrading, developing and re-forcing the Nano.

Your export numbers also don’t show good. Any new geography that you are planning to enter with the new models?

We are exporting 6,000-7,000 cars a year. The intention is to ramp up that. We are already in South Africa and the Philippines. We opened our operation in Indonesia recently and are just starting in Algeria. With the Zest and the Bolt, we are expecting acceptance from these markets because of new petrol engine and design perspectives. Therefore, we are cautiously positive about exports.

Any expectations from the Government and Budget?

I am sure the Government will support manufacturing as it is one of their plans. The recent announcements on continuation of excise duty cuts are also positive. Going forward, we are well poised to take advantage of anything, which comes positive in the market.

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