Rod Chapman•23 Sept 2014
NEWS
Tata expands local dealer network
New retailers join the ranks as Tata rolls out ownership program and four-star ANCAP ratingTata Motors has announced a number of new appointments to its Australian dealer network, which now numbers 35 outlets.
Since mid-June dealers for the Indian brand have been appointed in Fyshwick (ACT), Launceston (Tas), Springwood (Qld), Ipswich (Qld), Emerald (Qld), Gold Coast (Qld), Tamworth (NSW), Kempsey (NSW), Newcastle (NSW), and Mildura (Vic).
The newcomers are still setting up their dealerships to accommodate the Tata brand; once fully operational their specific details will be added to the dealer listing on the Tata Motors website.
Tata says it has received a flood of dealer interest since it recently announced its 'Tough Cover' ownership program and the doubling of its ANCAP safety rating to four stars on its dual-cab 4x2 Xenon pick-up.
Arriving in Australia just last year, the company's Xenon utes are distributed by Fusion Automotive – a part of Australia's Walkinshaw Group. According to the Managing Director of Fusion Automotive, Darren Bowler (pictured), the fledgling Australian operation is now gaining significant momentum.
"The ongoing interest in the Tata Motors brand has escalated since we announced the doubling of our ANCAP safety rating and the introduction of our Tata Motors Tough Cover ownership program," he said.
"We are delighted at the stature of the dealers that have expressed an interest in becoming a Tata Motors franchisee. Clearly the Tough Cover program combined with the ANCAP safety rating – which sets us apart from our competitors in the sub-$30K LCV sector – is having a positive effect on both sales and dealer enquiries."
Tata's Tough Cover program sees the 2015 Xenon ute range backed by a four-year/100,000km factory warranty, four years' free roadside assistance and a four-year/60,000km capped-price servicing regime.
The capped-priced service schedule starts with a free service at 3000km and then sees services carried out at 15,000km, 30,000km, 45,000km and finally 60,000km. After the first free service each subsequent service covered by the program costs $385 inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants. That's a total cost of $1540, excluding wear-and-tear items.
The addition of electronic stability control to the 2015 range recently saw the dual-cab 4x2 Xenon ute shift from a two-star ANCAP rating to a four-star rating. ANCAP has now awarded the four-star rating to the dual-cab 4x4 Xenon pick-up too, while Tata says ANCAP will assess the entire single-cab Xenon range – which spans 4x2, 4x4, pick-up and cab/chassis variants – in the near future.
The electronic stability control joins other standard safety features on dual-cab models including anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution and hill-start assist, among others. A reversing camera is also standard fitment on Xenon dual-cabs.
All Xenon utes are powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that generates 110kW/320Nm and consumes a claimed average of 7.4L/100km. Towing capacities are claimed at 2500kg with a braked trailer, while the vehicle's payload is up to 1080kg.
The Xenon ute range currently starts at the promotional price of $20,990 drive away for the 4x2 single-cab/chassis (2014 spec, without stability control) and continues up to $28,990 drive away for the 4x4 dual-cab pick-up (2015 spec with four-star ANCAP rating).
Tags
Tata
Xenon
Car News
Tradie Cars
Written byRod Chapman
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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