The first-ever “e-comm 360°” Expo 2019 held at Gurgaon showcased 13 new fully-built vehicles across the automaker’s SCVs to MHCV truck ranges tailor-made for the e-commerce logistics.
The growing electronic market place industry is fast approaching a watershed moment in India, with players demanding robust and efficient haulage solutions to meet the critical requirements of e-commerce logistics. To meet every single application cutting across hub-and-spoke transportation and the end-to-end delivery models of this industry, Tata Motors, the country’s premier CV maker, has come up with sophisticated products and solutions, displayed at a unique expo targeting e-commerce transporters, held at Gurgaon.
The appealing products on display included Tata’s complete range starting from Ace Zip and Super Ace Mint SCVs to LPT 2518 and SIGNA 2818 with AMT. The vehicles featured versatile container and reefer cargo bodies, along with a host of engine options, safety and telematics technologies aimed at e-commerce applications. The company claims to have developed these products after extensive research on the requirements of this industry, engaging with the top e-Commerce companies and their vendors involving its own design engineers and FBV team.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Girish Wagh, President – CVBU, Tata Motors, said: “E-Commerce is a fast-moving sector for us, accounting for almost 8-9 volume sales in the MHCV category last year. E-commerce players are expanding their distribution centers and their fleet size to cater to the growing demands of the consumers, while independent transporters are also looking for reliable products to address the industry’s logistics needs. We believe that the e-commerce Expo 2019 will act as a platform to address the growing demands of the transporters and e-commerce players; and provide them with a diverse range of fully-built products with customized features. We are shifting the paradigm for new age products and smart solutions with these new products”.
To support the e-commerce industry players who live by their commitment to deliver on time every single time to their customers, Mr. Wagh cited the ‘Sampoorna Seva’ commitment under which e-commerce transporters can avail value-added service including 24×7 breakdown services across the country, AMCs, hassle-free insurance cover, quick service bays, on-site services, and pit stop services for high traffic hubs, aided by the most extensive service and parts network in the country.
Ready-to-use solutions
For the hub-to-spoke e-commerce model, a wide range of light and intermediate commercial vehicles on the latest Ultra truck platform was on display. This included Ultra 1518/53 with 24 ft MS Container, Ultra 1014/45 with 20 ft MS Container and Reefer, Ultra 1518/53 with 3 Side Openable – MS Container, a 22 ft MS Container laden LPT 1412/48 and 10 ft MS Container on SFC 407/33. The whole range will cater to the growing needs of e-Commerce, Industrial Goods, Auto Components, FMCG, Agri Products, Beverages, Pharma and White Goods industries.
The Ultra range is powered by ‘Turbotron’ engines that claim to have a clear edge in terms of performance, reliability, and operating economics. These vehicles have advanced features like OTP lock, CCTV cameras, load sensors, and Telematics system.
In the MHCV portfolio, the 24 ft, refrigerated container on LPT 1613/52 and 32 ft, refrigerated container on LPT 2518/68 are well equipped to target cold chain supplies. The 31 ft MS Container on SIGNA 2818/68 AMT, on the other hand, combines unmatched benefits of advanced safety, security and surveillance features (for instance, Anti Fuel Theft, Digital Locks, Reverse Parking and In-Container cameras, Load Sensors, Door Opening sensors) and pioneering Automated Manual Transmission and Hill Start Aid delivering class leading driving delight and comfort.
Yet another eye-catchy product is the LPT 1618/68 with 32 ft MS Container, powered by 5.0-litre 4-cylinder ‘Turbotronn’ engine, designed to balance revenue and TCO aspects. The company claims that the truck is suitable for transporting various long-haul shipments like auto parts, tyres, agri products, white goods, FMCG, and parcels – courier.
For the last-mile distribution, the brand’s best-selling Ace platform proved its versatility through Ace Delivery van, Ace Zip panel van and Super Ace Mint XPS for voluminous goods transportation. These SCVs are equipped with efficient and reliable engines with best-in-class mileage, while also supporting various customizations for multiple applications, enabling smarter solutions for the e-commerce industry. They come with customized payloads and deck lengths to carry light goods and even heavier loads like fruits, vegetables and auto parts. For instance, Tata Super Ace Mint insulated container allows for the temperature-controlled transportation of perishable goods.
Asked about the customers’ response at the “e-comm 360°” Expo, Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Head – Marketing M&HCV Trucks, replied that his team is overwhelmed with the queries and footfall. “Delhi and Northern region is one of the fastest growing trucking region where transporters are moving into e-commerce logistics applications. Fully-built, hassle-free solutions are what they are looking for at the moment, and therefore Tata Motors is at the forefront in assuring them our deepest commitment”.