Tata Plans All-New Small Hatch to rival Hyundai Santro, Maruti Alto
The new small hatchback could be a volume generator for Tata Motors
Buoyed by excellent response for Tiago and Nexon, Tata Motors is now looking at the entry-level hatchback segment to further improve market share. A new media report claims that the company is considering a small hatchback that will sit below the Tiago hatchback.
Speaking to CarandBike, Guenter Butschek, CEO, Tata Motors said, “There is still some market volume (in the segment) below the Tiago and Tigor, where we don’t have a dominant play today – but where we would like to have a play.”
Tata has recently announced to move to just 2 platforms – ALFA and OMEGA – for all its future products. While the ALFA platform will be used to develop products below 4.3 meters in length, the larger products will be based on the OMEGA platform. The company will soon launch the Altroz premium hatchback based on the ALFA platform. This platform will also underpin 2 new SUVs – H2X micro SUV and the Blackbird 5-seater SUV.
The company is also considering a Sports SUV coupe and a premium MPV on the OMEGA platform, though official announcement is yet to be made. The next-generation Tiago, Tigor and the Nexon compact SUV will also be based on the new ALFA modular architecture. The new mini hatchback could join the list of new cars based on this platform.
The new hatchback could be a volume generator for the homegrown automaker. This entry-level hatchback space is currently dominated by Maruti Suzuki with products like Alto, Celerio and Wagon R. Other models in this volume segment include Renault Kwid, Hyundai Santro and the Datsun RediGO.
Tata has already announced that the smaller cars based on the ALFA platform will be produced at the Sanand facility in Gujarat. The larger Alfa cars like Altroz and the Blackbird SUV will be developed in Pune or Ranjangaon facility.
