Tata Will Continue To Produce Diesel Cars Till…
Indian car buyers love diesel engines because of their fuel efficiency and reliability. However, stricter emission norms have made a lot of carmakers put a stop to these engines. But some automakers, like Tata Motors, still offer diesel engines with their popular cars. The company has now made it clear that it will continue to produce diesel engines until the emission norms do not allow them.
Vivek Srivatsa, chief commercial officer of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, recently reaffirmed the company’s belief in demand for diesel cars. He stated that despite the industry leaning towards alternative fuels and the government pushing for cleaner technologies, the company still sees an interest from car buyers in diesel-powered vehicles.
Persistent Demand for Diesel
Srivatsa, while addressing the media, stated that the recently concluded Tata Altroz Racer media drive emphasized the diesel demand. He stated that while the market, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies have relegated diesel to a secondary status, the demand from customers tells a different story.
He revealed that the Tata Altroz, which is the brand’s premium hatchback, is proof of this demand. Currently, the diesel variants account for 8% of the Altroz’s sales, which is a significant figure. He added that the petrol and CNG options comprise 61 percent of sales.
Similarly, the Tata Nexon, which is currently one of the most popular sub-compact SUVs in India, saw greater diesel engine demand. The total sales of Nexon SUV comprised 16 percent coming from the diesel powerplants in 2023.
The Indian Love Affair with Diesel
As we all know, Indian car buyers have a huge love affair with diesel vehicles. Now there are multiple reasons behind it. Diesel engines are traditionally known for their superior fuel efficiency. When compared to petrol engines, these motors offer lower running costs, which is a critical factor in a price-sensitive market like India.
Additionally, diesel engines offer better torque, which makes them particularly more suitable for the heavy load conditions that Indian cars go through. Another one of the bigger reasons is that historically, diesel fuel has been cheaper than petrol in India. Because of this, many buyers prefer buying a diesel car in the country.
Tata’s Future with Diesel Engines
Now, coming back to the topic of Tata Motors and its diesel engines. The company has revealed that despite the stringent BS6 emissions norms, which led to the discontinuation of several diesel engines, Tata Motors has managed to keep its diesel portfolio intact.
The company successfully upgraded its 1.5-litre diesel engines in the Nexon and Altroz to meet these regulations cost-effectively. During the media interaction, Srivatsa highlighted that the company is still confident in the future of diesel powerplants.
Currently, the Harrier and Safari come powered by a 2.0-litre FCA-sourced diesel engine. These models continue to perform well in the market, with monthly sales between 3,000 and 4,000 units. These models are also outperforming other SUVs such as the Jeep Compass and Meridian along with MG Hector and Hector Plus that also come with the same powerplant.
Looking ahead, Tata Motors is preparing for a balanced future by developing electric versions of its popular models. The company is currently working on the development of the Harrier EV, which is expected to launch in early 2025.
Upcoming Tata SUVs
Apart from the upcoming Harrier EV, Tata Motors is set to launch a few new SUVs this year. Here are the details of these upcoming SUVs. The first new SUV coming to the market from Tata Motors is the unique Coupe-SUV design boasting Curvv EV. This SUV will be first launched with multiple variants with EV drivetrains. It will also be getting a diesel and a petrol powertrain as well.
Its long-range version is expected to be launched with a 500 km range. As for the launch date, it is expected to make its debut between July and September FY24-25 with a starting price around Rs. 15 lakh. Another popular SUV coming this year will be the Tata Punch Facelift.
The new Punch facelift is expected to come equipped with a number of significant exterior and interior updates. It will compete with micro SUVs like Hyundai Exter and Maruti Suzuki Ignis once launched.