Tata Xenon auto delayed

A sales-boosting automatic transmission version of the Indian Tata Xenon pick-up has been delayed until at least the middle of 2016, but when it arrives it will be part of a significant update including a hydroformed ladder-frame chassis.

The Xenon was launched in Australia in late 2013 by the local independent distributor Fusion Automotive, which is a subsidiary of the Walkinshaw Group.

An auto had been expected by the end of 2015 to mate with the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that powers the entire line-up of 4x2 and 4x4 single cab and dual cab models. But managing director Darren Bowler confirmed to motoring.com.au that a significant amount of testing work remained to be done before the auto arrived in Australia.

"The evaluation units in India are still running through their final hot and cold testing for ESC [electronic stability control]," Bowler explained. "I think their cold testing is done and they are now about to commence their hot testing.

"I can't give you a timeframe other than around the middle of next year when we will see that here. So that has been delayed, which is a bit frustrating."

The updated Xenon, including its hydroformed chassis, has yet to break cover in India. Bowler said the version coming to Australia would have the highest global spec because of Australia's requirement for mandatory stability control and mature market equipment expectations.

"This will be a complete facelift along with the new chassis and automatic transmission," he confirmed. "Australia has a unique vehicle. We are the only market in the world that takes airbag, ESC and Euro V [emissions compliance].

"When we pick up hydroform we will be the first market to take that with Euro V, with AT, with ESC and a couple of other things that will be in that vehicle at that time."

Hydroforming is a way of shaping metal parts using pressurised hydraulic fluid. It is a common practice in automotive manufacturing, including ladder-frame vehicles.

The Xenon auto should be more attractive to urban pick-up buyers. Fusion doesn't subscribe to the official VFACTS registration data, but Bowler said almost 600 had been sold so far with most of them going to rural and provincial buyers.

"Metropolitan dealers are more focussed on automatic variants," he said.

In Australia Fusion now has 38 dealers in-place, with the expectation it will have at least 45 appointed by the end of 2015.

Bowler admitted sales had been hurt by the run-out of the D40 Nissan Navara and MN Mitsubishi Triton, both of which had ventured into Xenon's $30,000 and below pricing territory, where it normally fights against the Chinese Great Wall, Foton and JMC brands, and fellow Indian Mahindra.

"That has interrupted our business model, there is no doubt about that. But we remain focussed and committed to what we are doing. We are developing a sustainable business for the long term."

Tata Motors has previously confirmed to motoring.com.au its plans to develop a new modular monocoque architecture for a family of internationally competitive cars and cross-overs. The Nexon concept was the first hint of this new generation of models. A new ladder-frame chassis will be used for its heavy duty pick-ups and SUVs, including the next Xenon due around 2018.

The Tata Prima heavy-duty truck and Tata Ultra light/medium-duty truck are also on the list to come to Australia.

"We are heavily involved in the product development of some new vehicles that are coming. It will probably be around 2018 before we will see them in Australia," Bowler said. "We have huge opportunities with some of those products coming to Australia."

He revealed Tata was using Australia as a research base for the next generation Xenon due in 2018, as well as other vehicles planned as part of its international expansion.

"Tata has been out here and done research, they have had engineers out here," he explained. "There is a research team about to come out and go around Australia and conduct a customer research program, which is a partnership where we have teamed up with AC Neilsen.

"We are doing research on the 2018 vehicle in Australia. The Indians are very keen to understand the lifestyle attributes of the light commercial vehicle in Australia.

"I suppose Tata Motors are using us as a development market for their platform around the world."