IAB Report - Tata Motors aims to triple exports of CVs to 1.5 lakh units by 2017

Tata Motors is looking to triple its exports of commercial vehicles over the next 3 years. At present, the company exports roughly 50,000 units annually and this figure is likely to go up to 1.5 lakh units by 2017.

The company already exports its commercial vehicles range that includes Medium and Heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCV), light commercial vehicles, pickups and buses in over 30 countries. As recently as last week, Tata Motors began operations in Qatar, selling its Prima range of trucks.

After entering the Philippines with its Xenon pickup and Ace models, Tata Motors would soon take its Ultra and Prima ranges to the island nation, along with adding Vietnam to the export plan. As for models, the company said that the number of markets for its Prima range will open up. Trial exports of the recently launched Ultra series will begin soon, with full fledged exports before the end of this fiscal.

Thailand was also part of the company's export program for the 2014-15 fiscal, but with the present military coup in the country, it is on hold.

Asked if development of new country-specific products would take place - given that the exports targets have been set at a high range, Ravi Pisharody - executive director in Tata Motors - said that only changes according to the mandatory regulations of the country would be made. Pisharody added that the cab, chassis and brand name are an essential part of branding and that he wouldn't give that up just to export to more markets.