Tata Motors launched its Divo luxury coach and Starbus Ultra in Mumbai. Both buses were launched for the North India market some time ago. While the Divo, a global brand under the Tata–Hispano name is meant for inter-city transport, the Starbus Ultra is targeted at the schools, offices and the hospitality sector.
The Divo offers customised interiors and a gamut of comfort features including personalized AC controls and reading lights, an on-board refrigerator, mobile charging points, to mention a few features.
The Starbus Ultra will be available in Luxury, Standard, School and Delux variants and in seating configurations from 22 to 46 seats.
Both buses are Tata-branded and are being offered to customers as fully-built solutions. While the Divo (BS 3) will cost Rs 66 lakh, ex-Thane (with AC, and reverse camera features), the Starbus Ultra (BS 3 version) will cost between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 22 lakh.
The head of Tata Motors’ CV business unit, Ravi Pisahrody, said the Ultra is based on a new LCV platform. The Starbus Ultra caters to a large market, he said, and will supplement the range already available.
The Divo, on the other hand, caters to a smaller market and the company hopes to sell 150 units in the first year.
With regard to the bus market as a while, Pisharody said sales on the medium and heavy bus category is flat as purchases from state transport undertakings has fallen. He said this was a one-step correction and the situation would improve going forward.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors is building a plant for small CVs at Dharwad, Karnataka. The plant, being built at a cost of Rs 800 crore to Rs 1000 core will roll out the Ace, the Magic and the Magic Zip.
Tata already has a bus body facility at Dharwad which has a capacity of 18,000 units. Tatas’ subsidiary, the Automobile Corporation of Goa can build 600-700 units a month.