Tata Group | Tata Motors | Media Releases | Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Ltd. launches next generation truck

Our businesses > Tata companies > Tata Motors > Media releases

June 11, 2004

Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle launches next generation truck - Novus

The first Korean Euro III-designed and manufactured truck range to be introduced in the domestic market
Environment-friendly, high performance, electronic engine mounted that meets Euro III standards, comfortable and safe
Leading maker of commercial vehicles has plans to export to Middle East, Africa and Asia including India

Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Limited, now rechristened Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Limited (TDCV), after joining Tata Motors, an Indian automobile company last March, is introducing its heavy-duty truck model 'Novus' into the Korean market.

TDCV’s newly launched truck features high performance, environment-friendly electronic engine, a new look cabin and a host of other convenience and safety features.

The high performing electronic engine is specially designed to enable TDCV to compete with world-famous truck manufacturers. It is designed to meet the rigid environmental safety standards of Euro III.

Starting this July, 'The Korea 2004', an environmental regulation to be applied to medium to heavy-duty trucks and buses, will ban the production of vehicles that mount normal Euro II engines. This standard is more rigid than Japan’s, and is similar to Euro III.

TDCV has used Boschs Common Rail fuel injection system for the first time in Korea on heavy-duty trucks and developed a new engine that satisfies Euro III and Korea 2004 standards. The new truck is more reliable, safer and more fuel-efficient than existing engines.

There are also upgraded safety features like the Jake brake system, ABS/ASR and emergency steering system (ESS) that have been introduced. The vehicle hosts web mounting chassis, a new style cabin and comfortable ergonomic cabin interior design.

Unveiling the new product, Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Motors, said, "We are very pleased that a new vehicle complying with Euro III regulations is being launched by Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle. This will enable it to compete well in Korea and beyond Korea in other international markets. It will strengthen the company."

Kwang-Ok Chae, president and CEO, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle, said, "Novus is an excellent truck that is being put on sale in the Korean market for the first time since Daewoo joined Tata Motors, which is the 6th largest commercial vehicle manufacturing firm in the world. Novus is the most environment friendly, reliable and safe truck from TDCV. We expect to launch more products in the near future."

It is being ensured that over 150 Tata Daewoo Sales, Service and Parts offices through the country would provide efficient services to our customers and set new standards of customer satisfaction and delight.”

The company has changed its name to 'Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Limited'. Ravi Kant was appointed chairman, Kwang-Ok Chae, CEO and president, and Praveen Kadle was appointed as director on the board of Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle.

About Tata Motors:
Tata Motors, the world’s sixth largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, produces more than 150 commercial vehicle models with a range of light, medium and heavy duty trucks, buses and tractor-trailers. Tata Motors, with revenues of over US$3.5 billion (FY 2003-04), is the largest company in the Tata Group. The Tata Group has a leadership position in engineering, materials, energy, consumer products, services and communication, hotels and information systems. Over 3 million Tata vehicles ply Indian roads, making Tata a dominant force in the Indian automobile industry.

About Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle:
TDCV is Korea's second largest heavy truck maker with a modern plant in Gunsan that has an annual production capacity of 20,000 medium to heavy-duty vehicles. With the robust manufacturing and quality processes delivering a contemporary product range, TDCV is aiming for a market share in excess of 30 per cent of the Korean heavy truck segment.