NDTV Profit this morning reported that Tata Motors will introduce the 4×2 version of the Aria in the next six months. This variant will be a good one lakh rupees cheaper than the existing 4×4 model.
Besides this, Tata Motors is also working on a de-contended version of the Aria that will lack serious equipment and current levels of finish. This variant will be at least two and a half lakh rupees cheaper, the report adds. This move is clearly to take the Aria close to the Innova, the king of the MPV segment in India.
Tata sold just 100-odd units in March and this was due to the shortage of infotainment system which Tata imports from the Chinese market.
Tata have miserably failed to properly place Aria in the Indian market. It should have given a serious thought looking at the competition with the Innova on one side and the Fortuner and the CRV on the other. Considering all the cars mentioned, Aria has the worst interior quality and finish. It also lacks the reliability of the Toyota and the Honda. Just looking at the brand value, I wouldn’t want to pay 1.5 million rupees for an Aria if I get better options in the market.
The new 4×2 will directly take on the Innova for now (as far as the pricing goes) but am not very sure of the finish, the quality and the handling of the Aria in comparison to the Innova. We’ll have to wait and watch if the Tata is able to entice buyers with the new 4×2 Aria.
Aria is a superb product. Besides downsizing, the top end product should also be retained..
Not enough, pricing should be, same as Innova or less, otherwise no takers!!