Luxury… By Tata

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

So, how does the maker of the world’s cheapest mass-market car go about building India’s first home-grown upscale crossover? First, go buy several small European automakers…

Tata’s Carl-Peter Forster tells The Hindu that

the product has been developed with some inputs from Tata Jaguar-Land Rover with regard to the interiors. But it is a car created for India at the Engineering Centre in Pune and manufactured in Pune.

Reports in the Indian media vary, but but they range from talk of a JLR-led “interior makeover” to such claims as

JLR technology know- how is injected into Aria regarding harshness, vibration, noise faults and overall finishing… Tata Aria will make a road for Tata’s dependency on JLR technical backup for almost every segment.

All models have a 2.2 liter diesel engine making 137 hp and AWD, as well as navigation, ESP, and six airbags. Accordingly, Indian-market prices are in the properly “upscale crossover” $30-$35k range [prices converted from rupees, and reflect local market conditions]. Still, it’s got that “biggest Nano on the block” look, that lets you have your GPS navigation and “European interior” while still keeping it real for the ‘hood. Speaking of Europe, Mahindra has put the Italian, Spanish and Polish markets on notice to expect an Aria in their area “within a year.”

And the US market? According to Forster, Tata is a long way from a US launch. Why?

One has to be able to do U.S.-wide sales. The U.S. market is one of the last markets we could enter. There are so many which are easier, cheaper and quicker to enter

Jaguar-Land Rover don’t mind helping with the Aria’s interior, but they’re damned if they’ll share dealership space with it.




Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Porschespeed Porschespeed on Oct 15, 2010

    I like my Tatas pert and firm. If largish flopping is part of this deal, I think I'll pass thanks.

  • GrandCharles GrandCharles on Oct 16, 2010

    This is the best after the Lacrosse namepicking by buick...in french tata mean being dumb and aria means lots of problem so it's a dumb lots of problem!!! I just wish they bring it here for the laugh!!!

  • ArialATOMV8 All I hope is that the 4Runner stays rugged and reliable.
  • Arthur Dailey Good. Whatever upsets the Chinese government is fine with me. And yes they are probably monitoring this thread/site.
  • Jalop1991 WTO--the BBB of the international trade world.
  • Dukeisduke If this is really a supplier issue (Dana-Spicer? American Axle?), Kia should step up and say they're going to repair the vehicles (the electronic parking brake change is a temporary fix) and lean on or sue the supplier to force them to reimburse Kia Motors for the cost of the recall.Neglecting the shaft repairs are just going to make for some expensive repairs for the owners down the road.
  • MaintenanceCosts But we were all told that Joe Biden does whatever China commands him to!
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