Tata Xenon ute headed for Australia in November

Tata Motors has confirmed its entry into the Australian market, with new independent distributor Fusion Automotive set to introduce a range of light-commercial vehicles in the final quarter of this year.

Fusion will launch the Tata Xenon across Australia in November, offering 4×2 and 4×4 versions of the Toyota HiLux-sized ute in single- and crew-cab body styles.

The Indian-made Xenon will compete at the budget end of the market against similar offerings from China’s Great Wall and fellow Indian brand Mahindra, with Fusion Automotive marketing and communications manager Sara Smith confirming the range would be priced from roughly $20,000 to $30,000.

While today’s announcement confirms a national rollout for the Tata brand, the Xenon has actually been available through another independent Queensland distributor since 2010, with prices ranging from $19,995 for the 4×2 single cab to $29,995 for the high-grade 4×4 crew cab.

This pricing structure is expected to largely carry over when the Xenon reaches Tata’s upcoming dealer network, which is set to include 13 dealerships by the end of the year and planned to expand to 25 within 12 months.

Fusion and Tata have confirmed the Xenon will be powered by a Euro 5-compliant turbo-diesel engine, and will reveal all other major specification details closer to the vehicle’s November launch.

The Xenon currently sold in Australia pairs a 103kW/320Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a five-speed manual transmission, and consumes 8.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. Rear-wheel-drive and 4×4 models share a 2500kg braked towing capacity.

Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, and a two-speaker audio system with CD player, auxiliary input and Bluetooth connectivity, while the flagship Xenon Premium adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and mirror caps, fog lamps, and a leather-bound steering wheel, among other features.

Fusion Automotive managing director Darren Bowler said Tata vehicles would offer a greater level of value than what was currently available in Australia.

“There is no tougher place on earth to test vehicles than on the tough and demanding roads of India, and we believe this will give the Tata Motors products a competitive advantage within the Australian market,” Bowler said.

“The light commercial segment is now the third-largest segment of the Australian new-car market, with 13 major brands in the 4×2 and 4×4 categories.

“We believe there is demand in Australia for a utility range of vehicles with the toughness and value for money equation that Tata Motors products deliver.”