Welcome back. You're watching India tonight. I'm Shabbani Garat and with me is my colleague and co-host Ankur Mishra. Before slipping into a short break, Ankur mentioned that something is making a comeback after 35 long years of wait. In 1991 the last version was there and now Tata Sierra is back. Yes, Tata Motors is betting big on Sierra's comeback. Launched at a starting price of 11.49 lakh, Sierra could help Tata Motors increase its market share to as much as 20 to 25%. Now my colleague Shishi Sharma who was at the launch event of Tata Motors Sierra SUV filed a report. Let's take a look.
Well, yes, Tata Motors Sierra is finally here. In India the official launch is through wherein this Sierra is coming back on the roads after 35 years long of wait. But along with that, at a very aggressive pricing is what this offering has made into the Indian roads, where Tata Motors say that this particular car will start at a price of just 11-12 lakh rupees. It is indeed fully loaded with a whole host of features and premium features rather to give that cabin feel. And along with that the company has come out with a triple infotainment screen, level two ADAS and lots more. But with respect to the pricing specifically, it's expected to give a tough competition to some of their rivals indeed. The biggest of all could be Creta. Other than that, Maruti Suzuki's Grand Vitara, MG Hector could be one, and Skoda Kushaq are some of the key competitors for Tata Motors Sierra. But along with that, don't forget that they're going to be competing with some of their own offerings as well, from Safari as well as Harrier. But this offering is indeed different because for now the kind of features that it has been loaded with, they are outstanding and very conventional and different from the conventional Tata Motors offering. But along with that, with respect to the features, for now this car comes in with three engine options. One of them is the conventional petrol, the other one is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol, and 1.2 litres of diesel engine is what the company is offering. But the wait for the EV won't be long — when the next fiscal, Tata Motors confirm that Tata Sierra EV will be something that they will be looking forward to. So definitely pricing is one of the key outstanding features. Tata Motors just confirmed that it is not an introductory offer — it is expected to be stable for quite some time. At Tata Motors Sanand plant is where this particular car will be manufactured, and analysts do believe that this can definitely be a game changer for Tata Motors in their India business.
Definitely, Shishi, thank you so much for that report. All will be waiting, especially all the Sierra lovers will be waiting for 16th of December. But what it could be — talking to ET now, Tata Motors passenger vehicles top boss Shailesh Chandra said the auto giant now has distinct segment positioning across various SUVs, with the Harrier in high range, Nexon in compact segment, and now Sierra in midsize segment. Let's listen in to an excerpt of that conversation.
So well yes, the legend and the icon is here — Tata Sierra is finally launched in India. So let's connect with the man himself, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, who and his team has been working day and night to get this final product on roads. And firstly, congratulations for that. The markets have been really excited. So why don't you start by telling us the standout features of Tata Sierra, because it's been a 35 years long space that was there. So what's new in this Sierra?
There are certain things which are carry over from the original Sierra, you know, so that it resembles the OG Sierra because when you are bringing an iconic product again you have to keep that resemblance and DNA intact. So one big thing about this car is the timeless design of OG Sierra which has been carried forward, and that you see in the silhouette of the car — which is upright, boxy, wraparound glass — that has been carried forward, which makes it very distinct and differentiated in the segment it has been launched, which is premium midsize SUV segment. So that's one distinct thing, but this is something which is also taken from the original and carried forward here. But when you get inside it, the part which has been taken forward is a living room kind of an experience. That is what Sierra was also known for — when you sat on the back seat, the airiness, you know, the visibility of things outside because of the biggest sunroof that you have given, the glass house kind of a feeling that is also there. But living room experience also means that every material, color, fabric that you have selected is all very premium, and tech stack in the car has been taken to the next level. And you will see first time a 5G connectivity is being given in an ICE car. You have Dolby Atmos. You have a triple screen infotainment system. You have the AR HUD also which is here. Talk about the feature — this is the software-defined vehicle in the category. So you have a tech stack which would appeal to a very young generation customer also. So literally a living room, very spacious from what you see cars in this segment. Cues of the design which takes you back to the legend which is the OG Sierra, and therefore as a package it becomes very differentiated. And you have already seen the price — it comes at a very compelling price also. You get the best of the midsize SUV from a footprint perspective, but you get the indulgence of a higher segment SUV. So that's broadly the package.
No indeed, a whole host of features there and quite an aggressive pricing, Shailesh. 11-12 lakhs is the starting, but you have kept the suspense right there. If you can give us some indication, where are we headed? Because it's a whole host of features that you have packed in this particular Sierra. So when are you unpacking the suspense and any range?
Yeah, I think what we want to unveil today is the set of trims that you're going to see. So the walkoff right from the entry variant to the top variant you have already seen. So it's already too much to absorb for the customer. So we just tease the price which is the entry. But we have always been one company which keeps the variant ladder very very meaningful, very progressive. So there is a surprise element and suspense left, and that we will lift before we start the bookings of the car, and the deliveries of this car will also start by 15th Jan. So a bit of suspense — at times it is good, let people absorb the car, you know what it offers, and then we'll reveal the price.
All right. That starts on 16th December. No indeed, all eyes for that. But this is not the introductory offer — it's going to be stable, right?
You know, none of the prices are stable, but I'm saying that I don't think so we are saying that this is just an introductory price. I think whenever you have seen we have introduced price, it is stable for quite some time. So that's what I would say.
Understood. But the other — so coming to the suspense part and how people are taking it, let me tell you they are very excited about the product because you have already unveiled it and today's the official launch with the pricing and everything. But they are very excited, and the sense on the street is that it might surpass some of your other kids on the block. I know you love all your kids — be it Harrier, be it Safari — but Sierra is special because it comes with an emotional connect also. They are excited and they are looking forward, and they are optimistic that it might surpass the sales of some of your other models. Are you optimistic too that it can be in a five-digit number?
