Specific areas in which R & D carried out by the Company
The Company commitment to our customers ensures that our products remains fresh, exciting and class leading. The main focus on specific areas of R&D and engineering are to strengthen its HorizonNext philosophy, likewise, the PV R&D portfolio is aligned towards developing technologies, core competence and skill sets in specific domains to secure impactful and timely delivery of envisaged future products with leading product attributes. In CV R&D portfolio the main focus areas are total cost ownership, pursue market leadership in application specific fuel efficiency and deliver high performance and reliable products. Focus areas of the Company R&D evolves around R&D infrastructure development and being timely future ready for emission and vehicular safety norms.
The Company commitment to its customers ensures that its products remain fresh, exciting and class leading. The next generation ConnectNext platform, adapted the Android automotive operating systems to bring consumer world into the car infotainment system. In line with connected mobility and smart city initiatives, the Company was working with on connected infrastructure with Microsoft and mobility provider offering affordable telematics solutions to target vehicle segment. The Company strengthened its commitment on occupant safety by investing in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Visual and audible alerts were provided to the drivers to warn them of an imminent hazard and so on. Intelligent start stop systems, intelligent alternator controllers and low-drag outsider rear view mirrors are few of the areas under focus. The Company has been constantly striving to increase the efficiency of its products, in a bid to create a sustainable future.
Some of the forward-looking R&D programs that the Company is concentrating on are:
- Robust control system for hybrid and electric buses and electric cars
- Electrification of vehicle accessories for electric buses
- Development of indigenous Li-Ion battery packs for hybrid and electric buses and electric cars
- Enhancing the effectiveness of regenerative braking by optimally blending it with conventional brake systems
- Indigenous development of fuel cell systems and accessories
- Development of high efficiency motors and inverters
- Development of electric thermostat control on M&HCV trucks which improve fuel economy by optimizing fan duty and controlling coolant temperature
Benefits derived as a result of the above R&D
In PV, the Company continued efforts have translated into successful product launches and concept unveils. Recently launched Tata Nexon, was critically acclaimed and went on to win multiple awards, notable among which was winning the prestigious Autocar “Best Design and Styling Award 2018” and “Best Value for Money Car of the Year 2018” and the NDTV Car & bike “Subcompact SUV of the year 2018”, “Design of the year 2018”. The Nexon offers cutting edge features such as an automated manual transmission (AMT), a freestanding infotainment display, keyless entry/ignition, intelligent start/stop systems, intelligent alternator controller’s application integration in upcoming premium hatch and a wearable key, a market first. The Company launched special edition of the lifestyle SUV Hexa, which was displayed with power-packed and adrenalin filled driving experience. Promotion of green and sustainable transport solution, the Company recently launched Tiago EV & Tigor EV to begun it’s journey in boosting e-mobility and offering full range of electrical vehicle. The Company showcased In CV developments include, new Tata INTRA - the stylish, feature loaded, compact truck that is set to re-define the SCV segment in the country was unveiled. Demonstrating it’s capability in promoting smart and safe public transportation, the Company displayed the 12-m Electric Bus and passenger carriers- the Magic EV and the Iris EV in Auto Expo 2018. SIGNA 4323 – Highest tonnage rigid trucks with 6-axle and 30-ton payload, the Prima 3718 with advanced rubber Suspension system and the Prima 4930.S with latest, advanced safety and driving features.
In CV developments include, new Tata INTRA - the stylish, feature loaded, compact truck that is set to re-define the SCV segment in the country was unveiled. Demonstrating it’s capability in promoting smart and safe public transportation, the Company displayed the 12-m Electric Bus and passenger carriers- the Magic EV and the Iris EV in Auto Expo 2018. SIGNA 4323 – Highest tonnage rigid trucks with 6-axle and 30-ton payload, the Prima 3718 with advanced rubber Suspension system and the Prima 4930.S with latest, advanced safety and driving features.
During Fiscal 2018, the Company filed 50 Patent Applications and 25 Design applications. In respect of applications filed in earlier years, 80 Patents were granted and 23 Designs were registered. Both filing and grant details include national and international jurisdictions.
Future Plan of Action
The Company planned to continue it’s endeavor in the research and development space to develop vehicles with reduced cost, time to market and shorter product life cycles. One of the main future initiatives in this direction would be a platform approach of creating bills of material and bills of process that have a high degree of commonality to reduce complexity and enhance ability to the scale. Also, the Company aims for timely and successful conclusion of technology projects so as to begin their induction into mainstream products, which will lead to a promising future.
Some exciting new innovative projects have been kicked off in the areas of Digital Assistance, Augmented Reality, IoT based solutions, Innovative In-Cab experience, Safety and even Dealership experience.
The Company would continue to invest in in-house R&D as well as collaborative projects which will enhance the competitiveness of the Company’s future products. The Company would also start active research in upcoming areas of automotive technology like autonomous driving, connected cars, and others.
The Company plans to focus in the following areas to meet future product portfolio needs.
- Customer facing and monetizable connected solutions
- Redefining cockpit experience with reconfigurable HMI content
- Vehicle efficiency improvements
- Driving convenience and occupant safety
- FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS & OUTGO
Activities relating to exports
The Company exported during the year 52,404 vehicles consisting of 50,106 units of Commercial Vehicles and 2,298 units of Passenger Vehicles.
Export initiatives such as goods, products and services exported include:
Commercial Vehicles
- The Company participated in key motor shows and conclaves around the world such as the Futuroad Expo, Bangkok Motor Show, Dhaka Automotive Show, Thailand Defence Expo.
- Tata Prima successfully launched in Philippines, Signa launched in Sri Lanka and Yodha in Nepal. Launched the Ultra buses in Tanzania, Ultra range in South Africa, Ultra was unveiled in Thailand and Indonesia as well. CR range launched in ILCV in Nepal.
- CVIB conducted ‘Global Service Campaign’ in more than 40 countries from 21st to 23rd November, 2017 as a part of the enhancing the Customer Connect. The service campaign saw more than 31,000 vehicles serviced in 3 days.
- Bagged the order for 250 units Xenon pickups and 200 units of LPTA 715 from the Myanmar Armed forces; and 209 units of Winger (135 units) and Xenon (75 units) to GVK Sri Lanka
- Supplied 99 school buses to STS in UAE and 100 buses to FTC Mozambique.
- Bagged order for 540 units of buses from ILOC, Senegal
- The 4th edition of the Company One World - International CV Distributor meet was held in Jaipur from 25th to 27th February, 2018. This year’s event saw attendance by the Company Senior Management and over 250 guests from across 26 countries.
Passenger Vehicles
- In Nepal, the Tata Motors’ brand elevated to position ‘Three’ after competing with 26 Passenger Vehicle brands, augmenting market share from 10.2% to 12.18% during Fiscal 2018 due to highest market share in the Utility Vehicles segment at 59%, Sedan segment at 32% coupled with surged sales and deliveries.
- 246 Sumo Ambulances were supplied including supply of 60 ambulances to Embassy of India and 20 ambulances to Government of Nepal. The Company thus contributed towards the well-being of the society by enabling assessibility of ambulances services to a wider section of the community.
- In Bangladesh, the Company secured ‘Market Leader Position’ in cars segment. The vehicle deliveries increased by 43% in Fiscal 2018 than over Fiscal 2017. The Tiago was successfully launched in January 2018.
- The Company participated in the prestigious Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland for the 21st successive year where the Tata eVision electric sedan concept was displayed for the first time in an international arena. The Company also participated in Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) Auto Show and the Dhaka Automobile show.
- The Company initiated the 1st Annual Kathmandu Walkathon the promote awareness of a healthy lifestyle and witnessed attendance by nearly 700 enthusiastic participants.
Development of export markets
The new markets in ASEAN are the Company’s focus region for future growth – Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are steadily picking up as the Tata Motors’ brand is becoming more visible in these markets. Our shipments to ASEAN doubled in Fiscal 2018 as compared to the Fiscal 2017, making it the fastest growing region. Vehicle assembly, in Vietnam saw steady growth of numbers in Fiscal 2018.
The Company has been expanding its relevance in the markets it is present in, with the introduction of new products such as Tata Prima, Ultra trucks and buses in the key markets to further grow volumes.
In Nepal, the Company bagged prestigious orders of 60 Sumo Ambulances from the Embassy of India, 20 Ambulances from Ministry of Health, 24 units of Tiago and Sumo by Supreme Court of Nepal, 26 units from the Rastriya Banijya Bank and 4 Safari Stormes to the Embassy of Switzerland at Kathmandu. The Company delivered 138 units of Indigo CS to various Taxi fleets including Uber at Dhaka, Bangladesh and 15 Storme were supplied to the fleet of the Narcotics Control Bureau in the Seychelles.
Export Plans
The Company plans to focus on growing the export business aggressively in identified geographies by offering customer centric products and strong after sales support.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
N CHANDRASEKARAN
Chairman
(DIN: 00121863)
Mumbai,
May 23, 2018