• Source:JND
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Speaking exclusively with Jagran New Media, Mohan Savarkar, Vice President & Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd reveals the India automaker's plans for the country, and also revealed their dominance in the SUV segment. Mohan joined Tata Motors in 1994 and is responsible for successful products like Tiago, Tigor, Nexon, Altroz, Punch, Harrier, and Safari.

JNM: Tata Nexon has ruled the affordable SUV segment for long now. When and why compact SUVs became such a massive hit in India?

Ans: The compact SUV segment in India has seen phenomenal growth over the past few years, and that’s no coincidence. Compact SUVs strike the right balance between aspiration and practicality—offering a commanding road presence, high ground clearance, and robust feature sets, all while maintaining city-friendly dimensions and affordability.

It’s a format that’s uniquely suited to Indian road conditions and lifestyle needs. At Tata Motors, we’ve been a catalyst in this shift. We anticipated the consumer demand for more versatile, stylish, and safe vehicles and shaped the segment with a strong focus on India-specific innovation.

Our compact SUVs—like the Tata Nexon and Tata Punch—have redefined what customers expect from this category. The Tata Nexon has consistently stayed ahead of the curve with timely upgrades, introduction of multiple powertrains (including India’s first turbocharged CNG), and a class-leading suite of features.

It crossed 8 lakh cumulative sales by March 2025, underscoring its enduring popularity. The Tata Punch on the other hand has emerged as a category disruptor, becoming India’s highest-selling SUV in FY24. It has resonated deeply with first-time buyers and young families, thanks to its bold SUV design, compact footprint, strong build, and high usability.

It’s a true reflection of how Indian buyers are seeking cars that offer the toughness of an SUV with the ease of a hatchback. What has truly driven this boom is the emotional and functional connect compact SUVs have built with Indian buyers. They offer confidence, safety, and value—without compromises.

In FY25, the compact SUV segment recorded 1.38 million units in wholesale, reinforcing its dominance in the Indian automotive landscape. At Tata Motors, we’re proud to have led this journey—from creating aspirational products that are future-ready to continuously evolving them with customer feedback, new technologies, and market insights. This space will only get more exciting, and we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve.

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JNM: How is Tata Motors bridging performance and comfort in their compact SUVs?

Ans: Our approach to product development—especially in the compact SUV space—is rooted in engineering vehicles that are not only high on performance but also intuitive, comfortable, and suited for real Indian driving conditions. Bridging performance and comfort begins right at the platform level.

Vehicles like the Tata Nexon and Tata Punch are built on robust, modular architectures that are tuned for both urban maneuverability and highway confidence, without compromising on ride comfort. We've engineered our suspension systems to offer a planted and composed ride across broken roads and speed bumps, which is critical for Indian cities and rural stretches alike.

Our compact SUVs are also equipped with multi-drive modes, allowing users to seamlessly switch between Eco, City, and Sport settings—offering either maximum efficiency or spirited performance based on their need. We’ve ensured that whether you're navigating dense city traffic or cruising on the highway, the car feels responsive yet refined.

What makes this blend more holistic is the cabin experience. With each update, we’ve focused on elevating in-cabin comfort—offering premium materials, space-optimized layouts, digital instrument clusters, and large touchscreens with wireless smartphone integration. It's a space that not only looks and feels premium but is also functionally designed for Indian usage—right from practical storage areas to intuitive ergonomics.

And, of course, safety remains paramount for us. From six airbags as standard, to electronic stability control, 360-degree cameras, and advanced safety features in all our cars, we’re ensuring that comfort and performance are always backed by peace of mind.

Ultimately, our compact SUVs reflect a uniquely Indian philosophy—vehicles that can do it all: handle tough terrain, deliver a premium experience, and remain accessible to a wide customer base. That’s the balance we strive for in every product we put on the road.

JNM: Tata Motors is targeting both Urban and Rural customers with its SUVs. What is Tata Motors' dual-purpose design philosophy for these vehicles?

Ans: Our SUV design philosophy is rooted in understanding the diverse, real-world needs of Indian consumers—whether they’re navigating dense urban streets or tackling rugged rural terrains. This dual-purpose approach ensures that our SUVs are equally at home in both settings, delivering a blend of robustness, adaptability, and sophistication.

From the outset, we’ve engineered our SUVs with India-centric attributes—such as high ground clearance, terrain-capable suspension setups, and durable body structures—to ensure they handle rough and unpredictable road conditions across rural and semi-urban areas.

For example, the Tata Punch, with its 187mm ground clearance and segment-first terrain response modes, is purpose-built to confidently take on gravel paths and waterlogged stretches. At the same time, its compact dimensions and tight turning radius make it perfectly suited for urban commutes and tight parking spaces.

Equally, the design and feature philosophy reflects the aspirations of new-age urban buyers. Across our SUV portfolio—be it the Punch, Nexon, Harrier or Safari—we offer premium cabins, connected infotainment, digital interfaces, voice commands, and safety tech like 6 airbags and ADAS, which are especially valued in metro and Tier 1 cities. This blend of rugged capability with city-friendly tech makes our SUVs versatile and future-ready.

We’ve also pioneered the idea of customer personas, which further tailors our vehicles to individual lifestyles and regional preferences. Whether it’s the ‘Pure’ persona for minimalist urban appeal or the ‘Adventure’ persona for a more outdoorsy, functional vibe—customers can choose a variant that reflects their personality and usage pattern. This approach has not only deepened engagement but also broadened our appeal across geographies.

Our design philosophy is about bridging aspirations with practicality. In rural India, Tata SUVs are seen as dependable, value-rich, go-anywhere vehicles. In urban centres, they are increasingly becoming symbols of tech-forward sophistication and safety. It’s this versatility that allows us to lead the segment and connect meaningfully with a wide spectrum of Indian customers.

JNM: Is ADAS an important feature for India and how is it tuned for Indian driving conditions?

Absolutely. ADAS is becoming increasingly relevant in India—not just as a premium feature, but as a practical enhancement to everyday driving. Indian road conditions are inherently complex, with a mix of unpredictable traffic behaviour, unmarked roads, mixed vehicle types, and spontaneous pedestrian movement. In such an environment, ADAS features can provide an extra layer of confidence, awareness, and control for the driver.

At Tata Motors, we’ve taken a thoughtful, India-specific approach to ADAS integration. Features like Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and High Beam Assist are developed with local use-cases in mind, making the system both intelligent and contextually aware.

We’ve also focused on enhancing comfort through features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition, which make long-distance or highway driving significantly more convenient and less fatiguing. This ensures that ADAS doesn’t just enhance safety but also contributes meaningfully to the overall driving experience.

As the market matures and safety awareness grows, we see ADAS moving from a niche offering to a mainstream expectation. Tata Motors is committed to democratizing this technology across segments, ensuring our vehicles are not only feature-rich but future-ready and grounded in Indian realities.

JNM: Can you shed some light on the future vehicles from Tata Motors?

Tata Motors is set to enhance its vehicle lineup with a robust plan for future passenger vehicles. By FY30, the company will introduce 7 new nameplates and 23 product updates, ensuring a diverse portfolio that meets evolving customer preferences.

Key models like Harrier and Safari will receive refreshed versions, while the upcoming Sierra will add a new dimension to the SUV range. These vehicles will offer multiple powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, and CNG, catering to varied driving needs across urban and rural India.

Tata Motors’ commitment to innovation is evident in its strategy to deliver stylish, safe, and practical vehicles that align with market trends. This ambitious roadmap marks the company’s dedication to strengthening its leadership in India’s automotive market, providing customers with advanced and reliable mobility solutions over the next few years.