Tata Motors plans to assemble Nano overseas, rejig dealership

Tata Motors today announced plans to start assembly of its small car Nano overseas, including the Asian region and Latin America. The homegrown auto major will also rejig its dealer network in a bid to boost sales.

Tata Motors, which currently exports completely built units (CBU) of the Nano to Sri Lanka and Nepal, said it is considering the option of assembling the Nano abroad through export of completely knocked down units (CKD).

Tata Industries managing director Kishor A Chaukar had, in April this year, said Tata Motors was looking at locating a Nano assembly either in Latin America, South-East Asia or Africa.

This, according to him, would ensure uninterrupted supplies of components and parts to its various units.

The company, which currently has 250 dealers dealing with the entire range of products, also plans to open 300 Nano-specific and 100 utility vehicle-specific showrooms by the end of the current financial year.

There will be three kinds of dealerships - Nano-specific, UV-specific and passenger car-specific while some may remain full-range dealerships, Chaukar said.