Geneva 2010: Tata Motors displays Tata Nano EV

Tata Motors has unveiled a Tata Nano Electric Vehicle (EV), based on the Tata Nano platform at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

According to Tata Motors, when launched, it will expand the company’s electric vehicles portfolio, which already comprises the Tata Indica Vista EV. Tata Nano will have a predicted range of up to 160 km and an acceleration of 0-60 km/h in under 10 seconds. Power will come from polymer lithium ion batteries.

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Tata’s collaboration with Fiat may bring Maserati and Ferrari to India

Even though large parts of the western auto markets are in the doldrums, the eastern markets are doing well, seeing the examples of India and China in particular. Tata, which has made a success of its Nano, and has also bought Jaguar and Land Rover, is looking at expanding its portfolio.

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Pininfarina to sell to Tata

There are strong rumors floating that Tata may be looking at buying a stake in Pininfarina. Pininfarina is heavily in debt and is looking at finance options to get out of it – the company has already committed to do so.

On its part, Tata which already has Jaguar and Land Rover under its belt and has made a success with its Nano, is looking either at a partnership (so unofficial reports say) or a controlling interest in this Italian design/contract manufacturing business.

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Tata may cut jobs at Jaguar in UK

Tata Motors has announced that it may have to cut jobs at Jaguar as demand for this luxury car has fallen along with the recession. Jaguar already faces a pre-tax loss of ₤281 million. Globally sales of Land Rover fell by 35 percent while Jaguar’s new XF model rose by 1 percent.

Jaguar Land Rover has 14,500 employees on its rolls and has already cut 2,000 jobs. Now Tata Motors warns of further job cuts and even plant shut downs. The company is attempting to secure jobs by winning guarantees from the UK Government on a £340m European Investment Bank loan. However, the negotiations have been lengthy, with the state demanding strict terms for any financial support.

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Tata’s Jaguar problems

When Tata Motors acquired Jaguar’s Land Rover, it was a feather in the Indian company’s cap, but questions are now being raised about how it is going to move forward. At stake are 14,500 direct jobs and thousands more which will be indirectly affected if the rescue plan for the revival or Jaguar falls through.

The UK government has refused to guarantee the £340 million EIB loan, offering to underwrite only £175 million and asking Tata to put up 15 per cent upfront. The UK government also wanted Tata to put in £300 to £400 million before asking for loan guarantees, which the company does not want to do, having already invested £900 million when it bought Jaguar from Ford.

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World’s cheapest car Tata Nano officially launched in Mumbai

Today Tata Motors unveiled the long waited Tata Nano, which is even cheaper than everyone expected. This little city car starts at 100,000 Indian Rupees (around 2,000 USD / 1,450 euros).

The Tata Nano comes with an all-new 2-cylinder aluminum 624 cc petrol engine with 33 horsepower mated to a four-speed gear box.

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Tata Motors unveils Nano Europa

Indian auto maker Tata Motors has been struggling getting the production started on the $2,500 Nano. Now it looks like Tata has more plans with the cheap Nano.

Today at the Geneva Motor Show Tata Motors unveiled a new model called Nano Europa.

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Tata to produce 80 000 Nanos by March 2010

The Indian automaker that had major complications with their new plant for Nano-building, had to move from the site at a time when the factory was almost completed.

Now Tata has a new birth-site for Nanos – the Pantnagar facility – and there it wishes to assemble some 80 000 of the microcars by March 2010.

Continue to read: Tata to produce 80 000 Nano’s by March 2010

Tata Motors sales drop nearly in half

Apparently it doesn’t matter how cheap of a new car you sell, the automotive economic downturn still affects you. India’s Tata Motors December sales figures were cut nearly in half compared to a year ago. While most manufacturers feel a little end-of-year crunch while consumers hold off on buying large ticket items until the next year, this is a huge drop.

The economy and Tata’s recent plant issues have done nothing to improve on the situation and we can only hope they’ll begin sales of the Nano soon in order to counter this devastating news.

Continue to read: Tata Motors sales drop nearly in half

Ford Announces Agreement To Sell Jaguar and Land Rover

DEARBORN, Mich., March 26, 2008 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jaguar Land Rover operations to Tata Motors.

The transaction is the culmination of Ford’s decision last August to explore strategic options for the Jaguar Land Rover business, as the company accelerates its focus on its core Ford brand and “One Ford” global transformation.

The sale is expected to close by the end of the next quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Continue to read: Ford Announces Agreement To Sell Jaguar and Land Rover

Three bidders left for Jaguar & Land Rover

The bidders include American buyout firm One Equity Partners as well as Indian manufacturers Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). The latter is said to be working in conjunction with another equity firm, America’s Apollo.
M&M originally pulled out of the bidding because it was only interested in purchasing Land Rover and not the combined companies, reports Automotive News. It rejoined the auction after partnering with Apollo. If successful, M&M will get control of Land Rover and Jaguar would go to Apollo.

The bidders will be meeting with trade unions and the UK government in the following weeks in an attempt to quell fears of massive job cuts. A spokesman for Ford said and final agreement won’t be made until early next year at the earliest.
The most recent valuation for both carmakers is $1.5 billion, far short of the rumored $6 billion Ford was hoping for.

source: MotorAuthority