Tata Ace creates history in Indian commercial vehicle segment: Sales cross 1,00,000 mark

Tata Magic IRIS Van / Commercial Vehicle

Tata Magic IRIS Vehicle at Auto Expo 2010

The Ace Mini-truck, also known as the Nano of the commercial vehicles, has created a record which no other vehicle in its category has achieved before. Tata Motors has sold more than a lakh units in a single year to reach a figure of 1,10,032 in the FY 2009-10.

The vehicle which was launched back in May 2005 has created it own niche. It saw a modest sales figure of 30,000 units in its first year. The sales then kept on increasing from 70,000 in 2006-07 to 89,000 units in 2007-08. Even in the downturn, it managed to sell 81,000 units in 2008-09.

Getting a tough competition from its rival new vehicles such as Piaggio’s Ape Truk and, more recently, Mahindra & Mahindra’s Maxximo and cheaper Gio, Ace has managed to grab 85% of the market share and is also exported to countries like Nepal ans Sri Lanka. Ace’s more up-market feel and a separate driver cabin gives a passenger car like feel which contributed to its tremendous success.

Variants in the Ace’s lineup include – HT, Ex (with stop-start technology) and the Super Ace (one tonne) and passenger carrier ‘Magic’. The cumulative sales figure of Ace and Magic have crossed 1,50,000 units in 2009-10.