HM to launch new vehicles this year

Hindustan Motors Ltd. is all set to launch a range of new vehicle models and variants in the current financial year, with the first product scheduled to be introduced soon.

The announcement was made by Mr. C K Birla, Chairman of the multi-billion dollar global Group, at HM’s 69th annual general meeting here today.Hindustan Motors, the country’s oldest car company, has decided to lay major emphasis on development and launch of new vehicles and products to ensure productive use of unutilized capacity and sustainable growth. As a consequence, research and design services have been revitalized with the establishment of a CAD-CAE-enabled R&D centre at Uttarpara in Hooghly. The new facility has started making a positive impact on design of the company’s products. The company will thus be able to enrich its bouquet of products speedily.Hindustan Motors has completed the development of a 0.8-tonne pickup, a 7 to 9-seater commercial passenger carrier on Ambassador platform, a 9-10-seater passenger carrier on LCV Winner platform and an upgraded cargo version Winner at its Uttarpara plant in Hooghly, West Bengal. Available in both diesel and CNG models, these vehicles will be launched in the market very soon. The company’s Chennai plant, where HM builds Mitsubishi range of vehicles, will witness the launch of new generation Pajero Sports Utility Vehicle, 7-seater Outlander and upgraded Montero.The company is developing a Euro IV-compliant diesel engine on CRDI platform in collaboration with a European company and the new engine should be ready for use in the current financial year. The CRDI Generation II fuel efficient engine will meet BS IV norms for both passenger and commercial range of vehicles, Mr. Birla added. Hindustan Motors will continue to augment its distribution network by setting up new dealerships. Special emphasis is being laid on promotional activities like road shows to increase awareness about the company’s products and services in different buyer segments. Road shows have just concluded in West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Bihar. The Tamil Nadu-Puducherry road show will draw to a close on August 11. These will be followed by pan-India road shows of HM’s existing and forthcoming vehicles.