Tata Motors reveals UK plans

Tata will launch four models by the second half of the year in the UK, the company has confirmed at the Geneva motor show.

Tata Motor's head of engineering Clive Hickman has told that the company would launch its Vista hatchback, Vista EV, Safari off-roader and Xenon pick-up. The Aria crossover and Nano Europa will follow in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The company is currently in talks with two potential distributors and would be revealing its UK plans within the next fortnight.

Hickman revealed that production of the Vista EV would start in Coventry later this year and the firm was hoping to build 1500 units in 2010. The firm could then switch Vista EV production to a new facility on the site of Jaguar’s Browns Lane plant and build 5000 Vista EVs per year.

Tata is aiming for Vista EV ownership to be comparable over three years to that of a petrol or diesel-powered car. This would be achieved by offering the car for sale and then leasing the batteries.