Tata Motors to launch trucks with auto gear shift

The automated manual transmission has recently been introduced in various passenger cars, including its sedan Zest

Tata Motors plans to introduce several new technologies, including the automated manual transmission (AMT), in its commercial vehicles in a bid to consolidate its position in the segment.

The company, which has over 60 per cent market share in the domestic commercial vehicle sector, is currently developing on its own the AMT technology. AMT has recently been introduced in various passenger cars, including its sedan Zest as well as Maruti Suzuki's small car Celerio.

"We are looking to provide AMT technology in products like the Prima trucks, Xenon XT pick up truck and light commercial vehicle Ultra. These are expected to hit the market in the next financial year," Tata Motors Executive Director Commercial Vehicles Ravi Pisharody told PTI.

Tata Motors is working to develop the technology indigenously in order to keep the costs down, he added.

"We could have done it with imported aggregates but we are developing the technology with our suppliers so that we can provide it at an affordable cost," Tata motors Head Engineering Commercial Vehicles AK Jindal said.

When asked about the benefits of AMT technology in the commercial vehicle space, Jindal said: "It gives better fuel efficiency than a manual transmission and clutch life also increases, which leads to more savings for the consumer. Also it is great for drivers."

Auto gear shift vehicles have the flexibility of both manual mode and auto drive mode in the same unit, with a simple shift of gear lever.

Tata Motors, which has completed 60 years of manufacturing at its plant here, here is also working on developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and dual fuel powered vehicles.

"I have always said that CNG is not the fuel for the commercial vehicles. Its availability is an issue. Companies like IOC and GAIL are keen to work with us on the LNG fuel. We are in the process of getting clearances and we would have a product ready and running in the next two years," Jindal said.

Besides, the company is also developing duel fuel vehicles which would run on both CNG and diesel, he added.