Tata Motors launches mini truck 'Tata Ace' SL

Kolkata, May 8: Tata Motors has launched a mini truck--'Tata Ace', a one-tonne mini truck in Srilanka.

A company release said the Ace is the first such vehicle to be introduced in Srilanka.

Since its launch in India in May 2005, the Ace, which is also India's first mini-truck, has received good response from customers and created a new category in the Indian commercial vehicle industry.

The release said the Ace is powered by a efficient and unique twin cylinder 16PS IDI 700cc diesel engine. Suitable for both rural and urban use, the Ace has the ability to carry a variety of payloads and has the agility to navigate narrow by-lanes with its turning radius of 4.3 metres.

The Ace is a high performance, low maintenance, safe and reliable mini-truck with sporty car-like features to ensure comfort in ride and handling, the release said.

Tata Motors, the flagship company of the Tata Group, is India's largest automobile company, with revenues of US$ 4.7 billion in 2004-05.

With over 3 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger cars. It is also the world's fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer.

Tata cars, buses and trucks are already being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and South East Asia and in Australia.

The company had acquired the Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Company, Korea's second largest truck maker, in 2004. In 2005, it acquired a 21% stake in Hispano Carrocera, the reputed Spanish bus and coach manufacturer. Besides India, Tata Motors has R&D centres in South Korea, Spain and the UK.

UNI