Tata Motors consolidates SUV portfolio, drives in new Safari at Rs 14.69 lakh

With the Indian passenger automobiles market transferring additional in direction of the SUV section, homegrown auto main Tata Motors is gearing as much as solid a wider web within the section focusing on first time patrons to premium-end prospects whereas driving energy from its synergies with JLR, based on a prime firm official.
The agency, which on Monday launched the all-new Safari SUV with introductory costs starting from Rs 14.69 lakh and Rs 21.45 lakh, is searching for to construct on the legacy of the Safari model which “has played a leading role in shaping the Indian SUV market”.
Speaking on the launch occasion, Tata Motors Chairman N Chandrasekaran mentioned that through the years the corporate has launched numerous iconic manufacturers like Sierra, Estate, Indica and Nano.

The latest launches of Nexon, Alroz and Harrier with their distinctive attributes and options have introduced in finest in school requirements of security, design and efficiency, he added.
“The authentic Tata Safari can also be such an iconic model when it was launched in 1998. It glamourised the idea of way of life SUV. Now we’re actually delighted to usher in new Safari in its new avatar.
“I am delighted that both Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover have collaborated and brought in the synergies to bring in best in class products for the Indian consumer,” Chandrasekaran famous.
The firm’s new vary of merchandise has acquired monumental assist and progress in gross sales and demand from the shoppers, he mentioned.
The new Safari relies on the D8 platform from Land Rover which permits for additional drive practice enhancements together with all-wheel drive and potentialities of electrification in future. The firm’s Harrier SUV can also be based mostly on the identical D8 platform.
The new Safari comes with six and 7 seat choices and is powered by a 2-litre diesel engine which generates 170 PS of energy.
The mannequin comes with six-speed guide and automated transmission choices and numerous options like panoramic sunroof, reclining second row seats, ambient temper lighting, rear AC vents, multi drive modes amongst others.
Safari vary begins at Rs 14.69 lakh and Rs 21.25 lakh, whereas the journey version is priced at Rs 20.2 lakh and Rs 21.45 (automated), respectively.
“Safari as our new flagship is connecting the aspirations of the discerning and evolved SUV customers. It is an impressive endorsement of our stated intent of enhancing presence in the faster growing market segments,” Tata Motors MD and CEO Guenter Butschek mentioned.
Elaborating additional, Tata Motors President – Passenger Vehicle Business Unit Shailesh Chandra mentioned the brand new Safari and the upcoming compact SUV later this yr would assist the corporate generate extra volumes from its SUV portfolio.
“The way we plan and conceptualise our portfolio is in line with how we are seeing the (market) evolution, what is the point of view we have developed in terms of what the whole market landscape will be in the next five to six years and in the (next) ten year period,” he famous.
He was responding to a question on the explanations for Tata Motors’ enhanced concentrate on the SUV section.
“Today every one out of three vehicles sold is SUV. You can see the craze, especially in the last one decade or so… Directionally, you are seeing movement towards SUV and therefore, we are strengthening our portfolio with the four SUVs — Nexon, Harrier, Safari then there is a potential code-named Hornbill, which comes as a SUV below Nexon,” Chandra added.
The concept behind providing a variety of SUVs, he mentioned is that “we would have the widest portfolio serving people, who might be considering a vehicle for the first time to the extent that as they upgrade they can move up to Safari and bring this continuity from a customer”.
Chandra famous that the mannequin could possibly be upgraded to 4 wheel drive in future if the demand is strong.
“The model in its current form, can do pretty serious offroading with terrain response system,” he mentioned. The earlier Safari used to return with the four-wheel drive choice.
When conceptualising the brand new Safari 4 years again, Chandra mentioned Tata Motors has saved into consideration the ‘strong legacy’ of the model, preferences and expectations of the new-age prospects and the way SUVs are evolving globally from a technical perspective.
While bullish on the gross sales expectations from the brand new Safari, Chandra mentioned Tata Motors is wanting on the product not simply from a quantity perspective but additionally from total income and bottomline perspective.

“We have kept enough flexibility so that at the same manufacturing facility there are a lot of common parts with Harrier. So there is established maturity of production, as well as quality,” he mentioned including that it must be a seamless effort for the corporate even when there was a necessity to reinforce the capability a bit when the necessity comes.