Tata to launch Nano CNG this year, explore more export markets

Auto major Tata Motors today said it plans to enter new global markets such

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as Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh with the 'Nano' within a year, as well as launch a CNG version of the small car in the domestic market.

The company also said it plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore on capacity expansion and various product development activities next fiscal.

"Nano CNG is clearly on the cards. We plan to launch it very soon. Hopefully, we should be rolling it out this year," Tata Motors' Managing Director P M Telang told reporters on the sidelines of the 11th Auto Expo here.

The company also said it is working on a different version of the Nano for launch in the European market.

"We might look for an appropriate car for the European market. The current Nano, as it is introduced in the India, would probably have different emission and safety specifications from that of the European market. So it has to be a substantially different car," he added.

On expanding the market for Nano, the company said it is also looking beyond Sri Lanka and Nepal.

"Entering into markets like Bangladesh, Myanmar and other South-East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia are on the cards. This is the blueprint for a year," Telang added.

He said Thailand could be the first new market where the company would launch the Nano.

Asked if the company would consider assembling the Nano in Thailand, where Tata Motors has an assembly plant, he said: "We can't comment, but I am also not ruling it out."

He declined to comment on the plans for assembling the Nano in Latin America.

On the company's plans for neighbouring Myanmar, Telang said: "We have set up assembly plant in Myanmar. Our commercial vehicles are appreciated. As we go ahead, we are looking at the possibility of launching bus and small commercial vehicles there."

Asked about the company's capex for the next fiscal, he said: "Specific numbers are difficult. Ballpark figure would be about Rs 3,000 crore. This is what we normally spend both for the capacity expansion and product development."

Asked about the company's joint venture with Fiat, he said: "We are still going forward with the joint venture... It's just in the marketing operation that it is felt because our dealerships are also getting overloaded as our demand for car also increases. It is question of getting focus."

He said out of the 167 Tata-Fiat dealers, the company is looking at 20 cities for opening exclusive showrooms for Fiat.