Tata Motors kick starts production at Uttarakhand plant

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Tata motors today said it has started commercial production at its Uttarakhand facility from August and may launch its 'Ace' variant in South Africa and Thailand markets soon.

The production in Uttarakhand facility was delayed due the environmental clearances.

''We have restarted production from August and are hoping to get back to the normal production capacity,'' company's Executive Director (commercial vehicles) Prakash M Telang told reporters.

The company is looking to launch its 'Ace' variant of commercial vehicle in South Africa and Thailand soon, he added.

It sees exports growing by double digit in FY08, Mr Telang said, adding that the margin continue to be under pressure due to high input cost ''The sales of commercial vehicle is likely to be better in the second half of the current fiscal in comparision to first half, he further said.

Tata Motors has its plant at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand for its commercial vehicle Ace on a 1,100-acre area. The company now wants to buy 300 acres more, understandably for its small-car project.

UNI