Category: Tata

Tata Super Ace on low down and monthly payments promo until June

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Pilipinas Autogroup’s mainstay Tata Super Ace light truck cab and chassis variant which lists for PHP579,000 is now on special offer for a low PHP99,000 down-payment and low PHP12,738 monthly-payments for 60 months. This, their Tata Super Ace Super Asenso Promo, will run until June 30.

Press Statement by Pilipinas Autogroup, Inc., “Tata Super Ace Super Asenso Promo,” 2 May 2022:

Pilipinas Autogroup, Inc. (PilipinasAuto) the official distributor of Tata Motors in the Philippines is now offering a combined low down payment and low monthly deals until June 30, 2022

“We have partnered with Security Bank to come up with a realistic business solution making the dependable business workhorse available at PHP 99,000 down payment and PHP 12,738 monthly payments for 60 months for the Tata Super Ace cab and chassis non-aircon variant. This exciting promo offers low down payment and low monthly financing plans that translates to savings on your business costs.” states Ms. Ginia Domingo, president and General Manager of PilipinasAuto.

“The Super Ace is a defendable workhorse capable of delivering your goods with ease. It offers different rear body type options suitable to your growing business needs” added Ms. Domingo.

The Tata Super Ace promises to be a reliable workhouse as it is equipped with a powerful Direct Injection Common Rail Euro IV Diesel engine that is capable of producing a maximum output of 70HP at 4,000RPM and a maximum torque of 140 Nm at 1,800 to 3,000 rpm. With this engine, operating cost efficiency is guaranteed to be achieved that will add more to the business profitability. The Tata Super Ace is also designed with safety and efficiency in mind. Apart from its reliability the Super Ace Mint boasts its versatility, depending on the business need and usage, several applications can be done on this vehicle. Examples of application that can be done are fruit and vegetable van, refrigerated van, delivery van, closed container, service van – the possibilities are endless. The Super Ace has a maximum payload of 1 ton. With an unsurpassable combination of performance, comfort, handling, style and remarkable fuel mileage, the Tata Super Ace is perfect partner of your business.  

The Tata Super Ace is available at all Tata Motors dealership nationwide.

To know more about the Tata Super Ace visit www.tatamotors.ph  or you may inquire online at https://pilipinasauto.com.ph/contact-us/.

Tata Super Ace Mint light truck on low DP and discount promo until end of February

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The Tata Super Ace Mint light truck with Euro IV compliant 1.4 liter turbodiesel is offered on promo from January to February. With packages from BPI and East West Bank that Pilipinas Autorgroup, Inc. VP and general manager Art Balmadrid described as “high approval rate” financing options, the utility vehicle is now available for an all-in low down-payment of P100,000. Alternatively, cash customers can save P78,000 when acquiring the Super Ace Mint’s FB-type variant with its multipurpose passenger/cargo carrying rear body, or P108,000 when getting any other type.

Press Statement by Pilipinas Autogroup, Inc. (PilipinasAuto), “Boost Your Business with the Tata Super Ace Mint,” 2021:

Pilipinas Autogroup, Inc. (PilipinasAuto) the official distributor of Tata Motors in the Philippines is now offering an All-in Low Down Payment option for the Tata Super Ace Mint from January to February 2021. “We have partnered with BPI and EastWest Bank to come up with a realistic business solution making the dependable business workhorse available at only Php 100,000 down payment. This is a high approval down payment financing option that is inclusive of the initial 3-year LTO registration, 1 year comprehensive insurance coverage, and chattel mortgage.” states Mr. Art Balmadrid, the VP and General Manager of PilipinasAuto.

For buyers who prefer cash transaction, the Tata Super Ace Mint is offered with savings of Php 78,000 for FB-type rear bodies and Php 108,000 for other types of rear bodies. “We want to present these options to small and medium scale entrepreneurs to boost their respective businesses in 2021. The Super Ace Mint is ideal tool of trade to drive commerce forward once again.” added Mr. Balmadrid.

The Tata Super Ace Mint promises to be a reliable workhouse as it is equipped with a powerful Direct Injection Common Rail Euro IV Diesel engine that is capable of producing a maximum output of 52.2kW (70HP at 4,000RPM) and a maximum torque of 140 Nm at 1,800 to 3,000 rpm. With this engine, operating cost efficiency is guaranteed to be achieved that will add more to the business profitability. The Tata Super Ace Mint is also designed with safety and efficiency in mind. Apart from its reliability the Super Ace Mint boasts its versatility, depending on the business need and usage, several applications can be done on this vehicle. Examples of application that can be done for the Super Ace Mint are fruit and vegetable van, refrigerated van, delivery van, closed container, service van – the possibilities are endless. The Super Ace Mint has a maximum payload of 1 ton. With an unsurpassable combination of performance, comfort, handling, style and remarkable fuel mileage, the Tata Super Ace Mint is perfect partner of your business.

The Tata Super Ace Mint is available at all Tata Motors dealership nationwide. To know more about the Tata Super Ace Mint visit www.tatamotors.ph or you may inquire online at https://pilipinasauto.com.ph/contact-us/.

Versatile Tata Super Ace light truck gets new Euro 4 turbodiesel with better torque and horsepower

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On display at the Philippine International Motorshow (PIMS) that’s running at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City until Sunday, October 28, is the Super Ace light truck, the same variant with the air-conditioned passenger rear body that we reviewed back in 2015 and found exceptionally suited to our road conditions, but this new Super Ace Mint comes with a 1.4 liter turbodiesel that’s been upgraded to Euro 4 emission standards for 2018.

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The Super Ace passenger van we tested on unpaved rural roads in 2015

The old Euro 2 engine, the Tata 475 IDI TCIC, was a rugged and proven powerplant, having put in decades of service on the Super Ace truck as well as Tata’s older, classic and pioneering Indigo sub-compact sedan that we also reviewed back in 2016 and again drove in an auto-rally last year.  And we liked that old engine, I liked it. Drive it right in the truck or the sedan, let up on the clutch and get real pressure-plate contact before giving her a little gas (or diesel … you know what I mean), gently hit that rpm sweetspot for accelerating upshifts, and save that turbo boost for second to third gear overtakes, you’ve got yourself a quiet gem that could sound like a sprinting bus and that’d make drivers in SUVs want to catch up with you and check out what had showed them up.

The Indigo we drove in STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (ARCC) last year

So, we were apprehensive, I was apprehensive, about the Euro 4 replacement turbodiesel for 2018 that Tata Motors warned us would be from an entirely different engine series (and not a mere refinement on what I’ve gotten attached to, the old 475 IDI). Common wisdom in anticipation of this year’s mandatory switchover to Euro 4 standards warned of cleaner burning engines made eco-friendly by holding these back in some way. Frankly, first-world sensibilities being imposed on Tata diesels didn’t sit well with me, not when we’re talking about feisty tropics- and desert-tough diesels from rough-roads India.

But–and here’s the big “but” you’ve been wading through my ramblings for–Tata’s done well with the Euro foured replacement, apparently and on paper.

Tata 475 IDI TCIC >>> Tata 1.4 CRAIL 12
Emission standard Euro 2 >>> Euro 4
Type 4 cylinder inter-cooled turbodiesel >>> 4 cylinder inter-cooled turbodiesel wih ECU control and direct-injection common-rail (DiCOR) fuel feed
Displacement 1405cc >>> 1396cc
Bore x stroke 75mm x 79.5mm >>> 75mm x 79mm
Compression ratio 21 : 1 >>> 16.8 : 1
Power 69hp (70ps) @ 4500rpm >>> 70hp (71ps) @ 4000rpm
Torque 135Nm (99lbft) @ 2500rpm >>> 140Nm (103lbft) @ 1800~3000rpm

The new 1.4 CRAIL 12 is so named because that critical jump from level 2 to 4 comes as the result of high-pressure Common RAIL direct fuel injection that’s tightly controlled by the new engine’s ECU grid.  With diesel fuel introduced at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber, the new 1.4 liter diesel appears to have given up 0.5mm of stroke height and 9cc’s in total displacement. But with its compression ratio reduced to 16.8 : 1, it actually gets a 24% gain in net combustion chamber volume from the old 475 IDI’s 67cc over 1405cc, to the new 1.4 CRAIL’s 83cc over 1396cc.

Too many numbers going in surprising directions? Definitely! But the bottom-line of these finessed re-sizings is peak power that’s 1hp more and at 500rpm’s less revolutions, and peak torque that pushes with 5Nm more over a lower/higher rpm range from 1800 to 3000rpm (versus the old 475’s peak just at 2500rpm).  Convert that Nm to lb-ft and you’d figure out that the new engine now pushes like a full-fledged 100hp ++ gasoline engine.  And all these with a diesel engine which balances turbocharger boost against high pressure fuel injection in a larger combustion chamber that ensures more thorough and cleaner fuel burn.

Other words: modern, cleaner burning, and hey, still zippy … maybe zippier!

Tata classic at transport show

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Ongoing at SMX until Saturday is “Transport & Logistics, Philippines,” a true blue tradeshow for the nation’s critical business sector. Spotted here: the classic Tata SFC 407 light duty truck.

She was introduced to this market last year and, until now, we still can’t get over her Unimog-ish good looks, hard-edged ruggedness, and P750k price. Brandishing a GVW of 4.5 tons, the 407 is the first light duty truck introduced by Tata in the 1980’s.

Before the 407, Tata only had the medium and heavy-duty trucks that hinted at their roots in massive train locomotives. They went into trucks when they partnered with Mercedes Benz way back then. (Maybe that’s why the lingering preference for the semi-forward, front-hooded layout of the 407.)

Tata commuter concept progresses to prototype

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The Tata Super Ace mini-van prototype exhibited at Truckathon 2017

The “commuter concept” that debuted at last March’s Manila International Autoshow

Cirrus dual aircon ducting from Centro

A follow-up to our report on Tata’s commuter concept debuting at the Manila International Auto Show last March, the 15-seater mini van is now in prototype stage, ready for usage tests. Built on the cab and chassis platform of Tata’s Super Ace mini-truck, the prototype features coachwork by Centro builders and now mounts the contractor’s trademark Cirrus rear air-conditioning duct-works.

At the Tata Truckathon 2017 event last month, the carmaker’s official launch of their extensive line of trucks and buses (from sub-ton to 60-ton GVW trucks, and from medium- to full-sized buses), the prototype was exhibited in telltale “UV Express” livery, revealing the niche at which they’re aiming the new variant, and at an indicative price of PhP909,500.

Touchdown: Tata Trucks

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Tata trucks are now here in earnest after the official launch of their entire, expanded and extensive line-up of 15 haulers featuring trucks from sub- to 60-tonners, and including medium and full-sized buses.   Signalling the new standing of Tata Motors Philippines as a fully commissioned distributor of the global brand’s commercial vehicles as well as their passenger vehicles, the pivot to trucks and buses comes three years after the brand’s introduction to the Philippine market in 2014.

Press Statement by Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., “Tata Motors strengthens presence in Philippines with the launch of its range of commercial vehicles,” 2017:

Manila, 25 July 25 2017—Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and among the top ten globally, today launched a range of commercial vehicles in Philippines. The company is making headway in the Philippines market through a distribution agreement with local partners Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., an important business conglomerate engaged in the local distribution of motor vehicles.  Through this partnership, Tata Motors will commence the supply of its commercial vehicle brands – the Tata Prima Range of Tractor Trailers and Tippers, the LPT range of Light, Medium and Heavy Trucks, SFC 407, and the Mini Trucks range of Ace and Super Ace.

Besides Philippines, Tata Motors commercial vehicles are present across several South-East Asian markets including Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rudrarup Maitra, Head (International Business), Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors said, “Philippines is one of our key markets in South-East Asia and we are delighted to be a part of one of the fastest growing ASEAN nations. With years of experience in the commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors has analyzed and understood our customers well and are dedicated to providing them with best-in-class products and services. We are confident that through our trusted partnership with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., we will be successful in establishing a long-term relationship with our customers.”

Mr. Jon Fernandez, Jr., President of Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., said, “We, at Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., are proud to partner with Tata Motors to offer customers with sturdy and reliable vehicles. We are looking forward to this new opportunity and are committed to catering to the commercial vehicle market with India’s largest and most trusted automobile brand here in the Philippines. We will closely work with Tata Motors to ensure customers here get the finest vehicles and services, that not only match their requirements but also their business needs.”

Tata Motors entered the Philippines market in 2014 with cars and small commercial vehicles. The low cost of ownership and availability of Diesel vehicles appealed to this market.

Quick note: Indigo does 11.25km/l in mixed city, highway and RACE mode

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After 190km of several days’ practice in heavy city traffic; 90km on a ferry drive to the Subic staging point that had us in an hour-long traffic jam on NLEX followed by a blistering catch up sprint on SCTEX; and then the 170km STV Auto Rally run between Zambales and Bataan that included a spirited climb up Mt. Samat; those 450km of diverse driving modes burned 40liters of run-of-the-mill diesel fuel.

That’s an average of 11.25km/l and a cost of around P2.50 per kilometer. Not bad for all the use we got out of her.

Quick note: The not so random Indigo

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She was the first car off the starting line on today’s STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (ARCC). Her turn at rolling off on the timed race was a random thing, but not how she came to be my ride. When asked by Tata Motors which of their cars I would like to drive on my first time at ARCC trials, at their kind invite, my answer was studied and immediate: “the Indigo please, she’s my first choice.” 

Tata’s Commuter Concept debutes at MIAS 2017

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Tata Motors Philippines is looking to upscale its Super Ace truck chassis into a full-fledged people mover, evolving its local adaptation further along from the FB-type rear body of its Big Boy variant (which we had test-driven even while it was still just a prototype).

Tata Super Ace Big Boy with FB-type modular rear body

Body building contractor Centro had just finished on this Super Ace commuter concept unit the day before it was brought in for display at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show. The prototype is configured with four seating rows: the driver’s front row, two front-facing couches in the middle, and a fourth row with two foldaway side-facing benches in back.

Total seating is from 11 to 14, depending on how much elbow room you want to give to each passenger. In any case, an impressive loadout on the Super Ace chassis with a 70PS 1.4L turbodiesel to power it along with its dual-type aircon.

Out of Africa: Tata SFC 407 at MIAS 2017 has a revelation in store

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On display at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) until Sunday, April 2 is an interesting specimen of Tata’s rugged SFC 407 light truck. Tata Motors introduced the semi-forward-cab SFC 407 light truck in 1986 and the rugged do-all hauler is still popular, still in production now, three decades later.

So popular even here (after a preview last year resulted in a surprising number of orders for the truck listing at just P750k) they’ve had to divert stock destined for other markets.  On the unit displayed at MIAS the shipping sticker shows it originally intended for the Congo.

One important note: though the 407 is big-boned enough for rough African roads, she’s not an all-terrain 4×4.  But, hey, she sure looks the part, doesn’t she?  Look for the 407 at Tata’s outdoor display on the right side of the World Trade Center in Pasay City … she’s just a few steps away from the Mercedes-Benz Unimog.