Tata Motors has made its re-entry into the Australian pickup truck market with the Tata Xenon.
The Indian automaker has chosen Fusion Automotive as its sole marketing and distribution partner in Australia. The initial move is to make inroads in the pickup truck market which is dominated by Toyota.
The Tata Xenon or Xenon XT is expected to be the lone initial offering but it could be followed by other light commercial vehicles. The Xenon would be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions and in single or double cab variants.
The pickup will be powered by the familiar 2.2 liter DICOR diesel engine with 140 bhp and 320 Nm of torque. The transmission is a 5-speed manual.
Mr. Karl Slym, Managing Director, Tata Motors said -
We are very pleased to announce our entry in Australia and this marks an important milestone in the continued expansion of our global footprint. As we launch products tested and validated across some of the toughest terrains into the Australian market, we are happy to partner with Fusion Automotive, who brings to the table their tremendous experience in the Australian market.
The affordable pickup segment in Australia is populated by Toyota, Ssangyong, Mahindra and Chinese automakers like Great Wall. While Toyota commands the lion's share, the rest of the players vie for a smaller presence.
The lifestyle pickup segment is almost non existent in India and the Tata Xenon was mainly conceived for markets like Thailand and South Africa. Tata Motors hopes that new export markets would bring the much needed volumes to the table.
The Xenon will compete with products such as the Mahindra Pik-up (Scorpio Getaway), Ssangyong Actyon Sports and Toyota Hilux.
Tata Motors & Fusion Automotive Tie-up Press Release
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