Having already stated its goals of becoming a player on the European market, Indian manufacturer Tata Motors is now looking at ways to expand the engineering business it has on the Old Continent, in an attempt to make them pivotal for the future models that it will launch here.
The Pixel model, presented by Tata at this year's Geneva Auto Show, is one of the models developed in Europe, at the manufacturer's European Technical Centre (TMETC) in the UK. It is exactly this center the Indian company plans to expand, by announcing this week a partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick.
Tata is planning to expand the workforce of its European department by hiring more staff. By 2013, Tata intends to bring the 240 staff to a number of 340. Some financial investments, although not detailed, are to be expected as well.
“Today’s announcement represents a further demonstration of Tata’s long-term commitment to build and develop R&D facilities here in the UK. TMETC plays a vital role in Tata Motors global R&D network,” said Tim Leverton, Tata head of Advanced and Product Engineering.
“Tata Motors gets access to world class thoughts, skills and technologies through the TMETC and its collaboration with WMG. The contribution of TMETC and WMG is important to Tata Motors product development.”
The Pixel, the model which will probably mark Tata's entrance onto the European market, is powered by a 1.2l three-cylinder diesel engine that provides a fuel consumption rating of 3.4 l/100km (69 mpg). Unlike the Nano, it has been built with Europe in mind, meaning it will offer quite a bit more than the Indian minicar.
The Pixel model, presented by Tata at this year's Geneva Auto Show, is one of the models developed in Europe, at the manufacturer's European Technical Centre (TMETC) in the UK. It is exactly this center the Indian company plans to expand, by announcing this week a partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick.
Tata is planning to expand the workforce of its European department by hiring more staff. By 2013, Tata intends to bring the 240 staff to a number of 340. Some financial investments, although not detailed, are to be expected as well.
“Today’s announcement represents a further demonstration of Tata’s long-term commitment to build and develop R&D facilities here in the UK. TMETC plays a vital role in Tata Motors global R&D network,” said Tim Leverton, Tata head of Advanced and Product Engineering.
“Tata Motors gets access to world class thoughts, skills and technologies through the TMETC and its collaboration with WMG. The contribution of TMETC and WMG is important to Tata Motors product development.”
The Pixel, the model which will probably mark Tata's entrance onto the European market, is powered by a 1.2l three-cylinder diesel engine that provides a fuel consumption rating of 3.4 l/100km (69 mpg). Unlike the Nano, it has been built with Europe in mind, meaning it will offer quite a bit more than the Indian minicar.