The vehicles covered most commercial segments, from compact delivery models and light pickups to distribution trucks, a heavy tipper, and several buses. Four of the 11 were fully battery-electric, namely the Ace Pro EV mini-truck, the Intra EV Pickup, the Ultra E.9 distribution truck, and the Prima E28.K tipper, which is aimed at mining and construction work.
The diesel models were the Intra V30 and V70 pickups and the Azura 1918 intermediate-duty truck. The passenger transport line-up comprised the Ultra Prime RE rear-engine city bus, the Magna LPO 1618 coach, the LP 909 school and staff transport bus, and the LPO 1623 Nova premium coach.
Speaking at a press conference held at the event, Girish Wagh, executive director and CEO of Tata’s commercial vehicle business, set out the company’s plans for Africa, saying the continent is one of the few regions where the commercial vehicle sector is still expanding, alongside Asia and Latin America.
He added that Tata wanted a fresh approach to a market it has supplied for decades, with its strategy resting on adjusting proven products to suit local conditions and budgets rather than importing expensive designs built for Europe or North America.
Wagh said Tata’s strength lies in “frugally adopting technology and then adapting products to the local market”.
He also noted the group’s planned acquisition of Italy’s Iveco, saying the deal would make Tata the world’s fourth-largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles above 6t by units sold. The group would then have three commercial vehicle brands in its portfolio: Tata Motors, Daewoo, and Iveco.
According to Wagh, Tata has set a target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and is investing across diesel, electric, natural gas, and hydrogen power.
Tata Africa continues to assemble commercial vehicles at its Rosslyn facility near Pretoria, where Tata and Tata Daewoo models are currently built.
