Tata Motors, which is witnessing growing demand for its CNG models, may launch a CNG-powered Curvv SUV-coupe; the EV market leader also sees potential for the Curvv EV to garner a large share of the Curvv’s total sales.
09 Aug 2024 | 7816 Views | By Sergius Barretto, Autocar India
The recently launched Tata Curvv may sport a non-traditional, coupe-SUV body style, but that isn’t stopping Tata Motors from going all out in trying to capture volumes in the fast-growing midsize SUV segment. The Curvv has been introduced in India with two EV powertrain options, two petrol engines and a ...
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The recently launched Tata Curvv may sport a non-traditional, coupe-SUV body style, but that isn’t stopping Tata Motors from going all out in trying to capture volumes in the fast-growing midsize SUV segment. The Curvv has been introduced in India with two EV powertrain options, two petrol engines and a diesel too. In addition, a CNG variant is a distinct possibility too.
Speaking to Autocar India at the launch of the electric Curvv on August 7, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said that a CNG version is under active consideration. “While designing the car, we have ensured that the design is protected for CNG and while it’s premature to confirm a launch I can say it’s under active consideration,” affirmed Chandra.
Of the two petrol engines on the Curvv, the 1.2-litre turbo and the new direct injection 1.2-litre turbo, it’s the former that will arrive with a CNG option. This engine also powers the Tata Nexon and was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Show in January with CNG power. The Nexon CNG is slated to be launched by early 2025.
In the past Tata Motors hasn’t shied away from offering CNG in higher segment models and trims and had claimed it was driving the ‘premiumisation of CNG’. In the mid-size SUV segment Grand Vitara and Hyryder are also available with CNG power and Chandra added saying “we are seeing others in this segment with CNG so there is interest”.
Tata Motors currently ranked second in CNG car and SUV sales
Tata Motors, the No. 3 passenger vehicle OEM in overall sales after Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India, is currently No. 2 OEM in CNG-powered car and SUV sales. Tata Motors, which had sold 63,993 CNG cars and SUVs in CY2023, has already achieved 85% of that total with its first-half CY2024 retails of 54,545 units, up 222% (H1 2023: 16,940 units). Its current CNG market share stands at 22.51% – more than double its 10.41% share in H1 2023.
The company, which entered the CNG market with the Tiago hatchback and Tigor sedan in January 2022, has gone on to hugely benefit from the rollout of new CNG models like the Tata Punch CNG compact SUV, which was Tata Motors’ response to the introduction of the Hyundai Exter CNG compact SUV. In early February 2024, Tata Motors launched the Tiago and Tigor CNG AMT which has added more ‘ammo’ to the CNG portfolio. Now, the company has confirmed plans to introduce the Nexon CNG, which was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo in January, this fiscal year.
Curvv EV could account for 30% of total sales
Commenting on the prospects for the electric Curvv, Chandra says he’s very confident that a higher number of regular passenger vehicle buyers would look at the electric option. “I am confident because with the price parity we have with other petrol automatics and the 400km plus real-world range, we will have great traction in the case of the Curvv EV.”
Chandra, however, did not disclose specific volume targets calling this a ‘discovery phase’ right now and said the Curvv EV’s sales could “vary from 15 to even 30 percent”.
Prices for the ICE versions of the Curvv will be out on September 2, and the expectation is for a very competitive price ladder. With the possibility of a CNG in the mix, the Curvv would be the only model in the entire market to offer four fuel options and it will be interesting to see how total sales volumes and the model mix pans out.
ALSO SEE: Tata Curvv, Curvv EV walkaround video
ALSO READ: ‘We have achieved parity with ICE cars with Curvv’: Tata Motors’ Anand Kulkarni
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