Tata unveils electric Indica Vista in Bangkok

Also launches Super Ace variant for Thai market.

Tata Motors used the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 as the venue to introduce an electric car based on its Indica Vista and a variant based on the Ace pickup today.

The Indica Vista EV is powered by a super-polymer lithium-ion battery that promises 200 km on a single charge and an acceleration of 0 to 100 kph in 10 seconds. The EV is the first product from the Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) and Mijo Grenland/Innovation of Norway — TMETC has a 70 per cent stake in the Norwegian company. This is the first time the EV has been seen in the Southeast Asian market.

The Indica Vista EV is undergoing tests in Europe. A prototype of the EV, the Tata Indica EVX, participated at the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Brighton To London Future Car Challenge recently. At the event, the EVX won the Most Economic Small Passenger EV award and the Most Economical and Environment Friendly Small Passenger EV award in the Small Passenger EV category.

Tata Motors also launched its new 1-tonne pickup, the Super Ace City Giant, in the Thai market. Built as a last-mile logistics vehicle, the Super Ace City Giant is powered by a 1,400cc diesel motor, with 70 hp and about 14 kgm of torque. The loading bay opens on three sides and is rated for a payload of one tonne. It is, says the company, a multi-functional commercial pickup that is not subject to time-limit regulations in urban areas.

Tata Motors (Thailand) sold 4,225 vehicles between January and October and they aim to grab a five per cent share in the Thai pickup market within five years. At present, they have a market share of two per cent in 2010, the second year of their operations.