The good response and the high waiting period for the automated manual transmission version of the Tata Nano has got Tata Motors thinking. The company, which currently imports the automated manual transmission (AMT) kit from Magneti Marelli, is looking to localise the supply.
“The AMT kit from Magneti Marelli is imported currently. We are looking to localise the kit and it should happen during the next calendar year,” Tata Motors Senior Vice President, Programme Planning and Project Management, Girish Wagh told Deccan Herald.
“Almost 40 per cent of the demand for the GenX Nano is for AMT cars and that is why we are looking at debottlenecking the supply chain so that we can increase the supply and reduce the waiting period,” Wagh added. The Sanand plant currently manufactures around 2,000 units of Nano per month.
According to Wagh, the company is not averse to phasing out more car models apart from Manza and Vista if it does not fit into the company's strategic portfolio. “We keep looking at products which have good traction. The company has made a strategic portfolio plan for the next five years. We have seen that Manza and Vista do not have a play in our strategy. Also, the new products should not be lost in a clutter,” Wagh said. “We may phase out more products in future. It will totally depend on the market situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the company today showcased its latest car, Zica, which is likely to be launched in January or February. The car has been made with contributions from global design teams in Pune, UK and Italy.
While the petrol version will feature the Revotron 1.2 litre, the second new petrol engine from the Revotron series, the diesel version will feature the Revotorq 1.05 litre engine, the first new diesel engine from the Revotorq series.
Zica is equipped with an infotainment and audio acoustics system designed exclusively by HARMAN. It also comes with safety features such as thedual front airbags for maximum safety in case of a collision, advance 9thgeneration ABS with EBD and corner stability control, rear parking sensors with display on infotainment screen and energy absorbing body structure for superior safety.