Three
months after launching Nano, the world's most inexpensive family vehicle
at the Rs.1 lakh, Tata Motors Sunday launched here the iconic Jaguar and
Land Rover cars, to cost between Rs.63 lakh and Rs.92 lakh in India.
Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata said initially, three
Jaguar and two Land Rover models would be available in the country.
While Jaguar models will be available in the price band
of Rs.63-92 lakh, the Land Rover will be in the Rs.63-89 lakh range. They
will be available in five-six cities after checking out the response in
Mumbai.
"Finance options will be available from Tata Motors,"
Tata said, adding: "I think the cars will exhibit the levels of technology
and levels of performance here."
"The Indian market holds significant growth potential
in the long term, and we hope to tap the demand for premium vehicles from
discerning customers," Jaguar-Land Rover chief executive David Smith
said.
Land Rover managing director Phil Popham declined to
spell out the numbers the company was looking at. "Both Jaguar and
Land Rover are premium, niche and exclusive brands. We are looking at
relative small numbers. The challenge is to establish the brands here,"
he said.
The company has invested over 800 million pounds to make
the vehicle more eco-friendly with features like aluminium body and reduced
carbon-dioxide emissions.
Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford
Motor Co for $2.3 billion in March last year.
Ironically, Tata Motors posted a net loss of over Rs.2,500
crore last fiscal mainly on account of this acquisition, apart from the
economic crisis that has hit the auto sector globally.
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