Tata Motors, the country's largest automobile maker, is believed to be working on a new entry level compact small car, that will be pitched between its Nano and Indica models in its Indian product portfolio. Sources suggest that the company could be working on a new project under which is expected to bear the moniker 'Tata Dolphin.'
Experts believe that Tata Motors is looking to fill in the void felt between its Nano and Indica compact hatchbacks, in terms of pricing at the moment. Currently, Tata Nano entry level subcompact model is offered to domestic car buyers with a starting price around Rs. 1.5 lakhs, whereas the Tata Indica hatchback comes with a base price tag close to Rs. 3.3 lakhs in the domestic passenger car market. Hence, the upcoming Tata Dolphin entry level hatch could see Indian daylight with introductory price tags close to the price band Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs.
At present, Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon are offered in the sub-Rs. 3 lakhs price tag, which is nothing but competition of the yet-to-be launched Dolphin model. The company will be hoping that its Tata Dolphin model drives buyers away from those of Alto 800 and Eon, something which looks immensely difficult and impractical at the moment. Maruti Suzuki's Alto 800 entry level model is an undisputed champion of the segment and commands a lion's share in terms of sales recorded in its class. It is going to be an interesting thing to note, how the Indian audience responds if Tata introduces its Dolphin against Alto 800 and Eon in the country.
