Tata Motors strengthens Philippines’ presence

FROM left, Rajesh Khanna (Head Product Management, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, International Business, Tata Motors); Rustom Nagporewalla (Regional Head – ASEAN & Far East Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors); David Coyukiat (Chairman of the Board, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.); Rudrarup Maitra (Head-International Business, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors); Cresencio Fernandez, Jr. (President, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.); George Blaylock (Managing Director, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.); Ferdi L. Raquelsantos (Board of Director, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.) and Arthur Balmadrid (Vice-President, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.)

When Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer made its entry in the Philippine market in 2014, it created a big splash and had a huge 400-square meter display at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) at the World Trade Center.

It was a serious and sustained campaign as the market saw its growing presence starting from the light commercial vehicle segment to its small passenger car models. Touted as one of the top ten largest commercial vehicle makers in the world, the company partnered with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc. as the official distributor of Tata Motors commercial vehicles in Philippines with a complete range of commercial vehicles to include its newly-unveiled Prima Heavy truck platform, an entire range of heavy intermediate and light commercial vehicles, mini trucks, pickups and buses.

Tata Motors considers this distribution agreement with its local partner Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., an important strategy in its presence in this region for its automotive business. Through this partnership, Tata Motors recently announced that it will commence the supply of its commercial vehicle brands to include the Tata Prima range of tractor trailers and tippers, the LPT range of Light, Medium and Heavy Trucks, SFC 407, and the mini trucks range of Ace and Super Ace during its press conference and event dubbed as the Truckathon 2017. Besides the Philippines, Tata Motors commercial vehicles are present across several South-East Asian markets including Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

The impressive range of TATA passenger vehicles are designed to provide a balance of luxury, safety, power and comfort.

Tata Motors principals were present during the event including Rudrarup Maitra, Head of International Business, Commercial Vehicles for Tata Motors who said, “Philippines is one of our key markets in South-East Asia and we are delighted to be a part of one of the fastest growing ASEAN nations. With years of experience in the commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors has analyzed and understood our customers well and are dedicated to providing them with best-in-class products and services. We are confident that through our trusted partnership with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., we will be successful in establishing a long-term relationship with our customers.”

During the event, Jon Fernandez, Jr., President of Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., said, “We, at Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., are proud to partner with Tata Motors to offer customers with sturdy and reliable vehicles. We are looking forward to this new opportunity and are committed to catering to the commercial vehicle market with India’s largest and most trusted automobile brand here in the Philippines. We will closely work with Tata Motors to ensure customers here get the finest vehicles and services, that not only match their requirements but also their business needs.”

Tata Motors Limited, with a total turnover of USD 42 billion last year is part of the Tata Group which is an Indian multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Founded in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata, the company will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year. The group gained international recognition after purchasing several global companies including British motoring icons Jaguar Land Rover from the Ford Motor Company in a cash deal valued at USD 2.3 billion on March 26, 2008. Tata is India’s largest conglomerate with a combined turnover of USD104 billion in 2016 and employs over 660,000 people.

It is India’s largest automobile company with operations globally including the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia and has a global network of 76 subsidiary and associate companies, including Jaguar and Land Rover in the UK and Tata Daewoo in South Korea. In India, Tata Motors has an industrial joint venture with Fiat. As India’s market leader in commercial vehicles, it has over 9 million Tata vehicles plying on Indian roads.

Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.

Established in the year 2012, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., is an automotive distributor composed of individuals from a diverse range of industries, with known expertise in the area of insurance, automotive and its allied industries, consumer retail and service, and finance. Armed with a collective knowledge and understanding of the Filipino consumer to confidently build the local business through brand building, marketing, promotions, dealer network development, financing, and customer service and satisfaction.