Tata Motors makes inroads into ‘autorickshaw’ market

Tata Motors has partnered with Laxmibai Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank and SGS Motors in Gwalior to launch the Veerangana Express, an affordable, comfortable, convenient and safe cab service for women, by women in Gwalior.

The Veerangana Express cab service will use the Tata Magic Iris as a safe and comfortable alternative for commuters who depend on three-wheelers. It will ply within municipal limits in Gwalior. The GPS (vehicle tracking system) feature is also available in the Veerangana Express.

Speaking on this initiative, K Sanjeeva Rao, regional sales manager, SCV - Passenger, Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, said: “We are delighted to associate with Veerangana Express, a unique customer-focused service aimed at supporting women commuters by women operators with one of our best solutions in last mile public transport – the Tata Magic Iris. It will not only provide a safe, comfortable and convenient commuting option for all women customers but with its car-like easy driving dynamics, women will find it very easy to manoeuvre. It comes with several features and offers best-in-class operator economics, thus generating high savings and profits for the vehicle owners.”

Mrs. Alka Srivastava, founder, Laxmibai Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank, said,“Women empowerment has been our organisation’s sole focus and through Veerangana Express we will come closer to our vision of seeing more self-independent women in our society. We are glad that all government authorities and Tata Motors through its channel partner, SGS, Motors, are supporting this initiative. We hope the Veerangana Pink Cabs, which is for the women, by the women, will further encourage women, without having to worry about their commuting woes.”

Initially, eight, diesel-powered, Tata Magic Iris auto-rickshaws have been introduced under this scheme which is expected to increase over a period of time. These pink-and-white vehicles will be driven by women drivers, trained by SGS Motors which is an authorised dealer of Tata Motors.

Tata Motors has also partnered with a customer in Bhopal to run a similar service called Shakti Express with 10 Tata Magic Iris. The company is also in discussion with authorities in Indore to introduce this vehicle, under the Ahilya Express Service programme.

The four-wheel, fully covered, Magic Iris has an all-steel body with hard-top and double-steel sheet doors, offering full protection from heat, dust and rain. With wide doors for easy entry and exit, comfortable seating, more headroom and legroom and seatbelts, the vehicle ensures passengers have a safe and comfortable ride. The car-like independent McPherson strut suspension ensures a smooth and bump-free ride. 

Tata Motors says the driver experience is enhanced by class-defining features such as stylish instrument panel, ergonomically designed sliding bucket seat, big windshield, side mirrors, glass windows, stylish dashboard mounted gear shifter.

Equipped with a 611cc, water-cooled engine with 11hp power and 31 Nm torque, the Magic Iris enables faster and more trips over long travel distances.