Tata Motors launches Manza sedan and Johannesburg show

Tata Motors today announced the launch of its luxurious Manza sedan and international Prima range of premium commercial vehicles at the Johannesburg International Motor Show 2011.

India's largest automobile company is also, for the first time, displaying a wide range of other vehicles including the passenger vehicle Vista, and commercial vehicles including the Venture, the Super Ace, the Xenon CNG, the Xenon 2.2 L Cargo Box, the Xenon 2.2 L Double Cab 4x4, the LPO 1623 CNG bus, the 65-seater, LPO 1823 commuter bus, the Starbus Ultra range (also known as the Y1 Bus), the V3TXF, 6X4 tractor from the Tata Novus range and the Tata LPTA 1623 4x4 truck.

''The new Tata vehicles being introduced in South Africa will bolster our already significant portfolio in the country,'' said P M Telang, managing director, India operations, Tata Motors. ''These introductions benefit from our innovations and learnings from South Africa's customers. We look forward to a deeper presence in South Africa, which is already a focus market for us.''

According to Noel Tata, managing director, Tata International, ''we see Africa as a region of tremendous potential for the group and our participation in the Motor Show with the introduction of the latest products will serve to further strengthen the Tata brand in these markets. In South Africa, the auto industry is making giant strides and we are happy to contribute to this growth.''

Raman Dhawan, managing director, Tata Africa Holdings, said, Tata Africa has for over more than two decades, increased its footprint throughout Africa to be present in 11 countries. ''Our various Tata vehicles on the roads throughout this continent bear witness to the enthusiastic uptake and relevance of the product and the brand. We are fully committed to the long term growth and improvement of our reach in this sector throughout Africa.''

Tata Motors, which reported consolidated revenues of $27 billion in 2010-11, has opreations - through subsidiaries and associate companies – in South Africa, the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain.

Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also distributes Fiat cars in India, and has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 5.9 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles.

It is also the world's fourth largest truck manufacturer and the third largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America.