Harrier EV: Tata Motors' Bold Electric Vision – Exclusive with Vivek Srivatsa
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Vivek Srivatsa, Head – Marketing, Sales & Service Strategy, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, as he shares key insights into Tata Motors' forward-looking EV strategy following the launch of the Harrier EV.
In this in-depth interview, we explore Tata's upcoming electric SUV portfolio, its vision for accessible mass-market EVs, and the company's comprehensive approach to product development, charging infrastructure, and long-term leadership in India's rapidly evolving electric mobility space.
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Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Tata Motors, JLR flag EV supply chain as a separate business risk. They don't name China, but its imprint is all over.
New Delhi: Tata Motors Ltd and Jaguar Land Rover have separately highlighted risks to their electric vehicle business for the first time ever, including potential production delays and shortages, likely as a result of China's stranglehold over the EV supply chain. Introducing a new element in their annual report's principle risks segment, titled 'electrification transition', Mumbai-based Tata Motors and its UK-based subsidiary JLR have both underscored the threat of financial losses if the transition to clean technology is not carefully managed. 'Unmanaged supply chain issues can lead to production delays and shortages," the companies said in their annual reports for 2024-25 without mentioning any specific potential trigger. No other homegrown automaker has mentioned electric transition as a separate business risk in their annual report. The disclosures in Tata Motors's and JLR's annual reports come as automakers globally are grappling with China's export restrictions on rare earth magnets. India's auto sector has conveyed to the Union government that production cuts could begin as early as this month if China doesn't resume exports of rare earth magnets, which are used to make electric motors and other parts for EVs. They also flagged that while China has resumed exports of rare earth magnets to foreign companies, applications by Indian automakers remain stuck. As per several estimates, China controls about 80% of the global lithium-ion battery market and about 90% of the global supply chain for rare earth magnets. 'There is a need for the magnets for both EVs and ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles," Shailesh Chandra, managing director at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, told Mint in an interview. 'Different OEMs (original equipment manufacturers, or carmakers) are in different positions with respect to the stock of the magnets." For the long-term, Tata Motors and JLR are investing towards increasing their capacity to manufacture key components. 'To support this electrification, Tata Group's Agratas is to construct the UK's largest battery cell facility in Somerset, which will provide high-performance battery cells for our new electric models," Jaguar Land Rover noted in its annual report. 'Additionally, we are making significant continued investment in upgrading our core facilities and supply chain for electrification." Agratas Energy Storage Solutions Pvt. Ltd is the Tata Group's battery business, with Tata Motors and JLR as its anchor customers. Also read | China's restriction on rare earth magnets repel Indian EV players China's shadow Tata Motors has raised concerns even earlier about its electric vehicle business's direction in international markets, but that was due to a demand slowdown in Europe and the US. 'Given the uncertainty around the pace of EV adoption in key markets, the company may need to extend the life of its ICE platforms beyond the originally planned timeline. It may also consider launching new ICE variants in the future," analysts at Motilal Oswal wrote in a 11 March note. In its latest annual report, Tata Motors has also highlighted its efforts to localise the battery supply chain that is currently dominated by China. Tata Motors's lead in the electric vehicles segment is being aggressively challenged by MG Motor India, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, and Hyundai Motor India Ltd, with its domestic EV market share dropping to 55.4% in 2024-25 from 73.1% in FY24 and 84% in FY23. Experts believe the looming shadow of China on the EV supply chain is an identified risk factor for automobile companies. 'Whether it's batteries or magnets, China has established a dominant lead in the supply chain, which is bound to be a risk for domestic and global OEMs," said Abhishek Saxena, former public policy expert at government think-tank Niti Aayog. 'The current magnet crisis shows that supply concentration can have a business impact." Also read | Indian auto stuck in queue as China clears rare earth magnets for others After US President Donald Trump in April announced reciprocal tariffs on countries across the world, China began restricting the export of rare earth magnets. The Chinese government has started asking for end-user certificates declaring that the products made using its rare earth magnets will not be used for defence purposes. But, as per automakers, the process to obtain the certificates is long and arduous, requiring multiple layers of approvals from provincial governments in China and the Chinese commerce ministry. 'Stocks are fast depleting. So far, 30 applications have been submitted to China, but none has received final approval. The Chinese government has said that final approvals will take about 45 days," Rakesh Sharma, executive director at Bajaj Auto Ltd, said during a post-earnings media call on 29 May. Bajaj Auto has warned about severe production cuts starting July if the rare earth magnet issue isn't resolved.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Apple gives Tata India iPhone repair business as partnership expands
HighlightsApple has partnered with Tata Group to manage repairs for iPhones and MacBook devices in India, indicating Tata's expanding role in Apple's supply chain. Tata Group is taking over the after-sales repair mandate from an Indian unit of Taiwan's Wistron, specifically ICT Service Management Solutions. With iPhone sales rising rapidly in India, Apple may explore selling refurbished devices directly in the country, similar to its operations in the United States. Apple has brought in Tata Group to handle repairs for iPhones and MacBook devices in its fast-growing Indian market, signalling the Indian conglomerate's deepening role in the US tech giant's supply chain, two people familiar with the matter said. As Apple looks beyond China for manufacturing, Tata has fast emerged as its key supplier and already assembles iPhone s for local and foreign markets at three facilities in south India, with one of them also making some iPhone components. In its latest partnership expansion, Tata is taking over the mandate from an Indian unit of Taiwan's Wistron, ICT Service Management Solutions, and will carry out such after-sales repairs from its Karnataka iPhone assembly campus, both sources said. The market for repairs is only going to boom in India, the world's second-biggest smartphone market, as iPhone sales skyrocket. Counterpoint Research estimates around 11 million iPhones were sold in India last year, giving Apple a 7% market share, compared to just 1% in 2020. The latest contract award signals Apple's growing confidence on Tata as it hopes to win more business from the world's most valuable smartphone company. "Tata's deepening partnership with Apple could also pave the groundwork for Apple directly selling refurbished devices in India, like how it does in the United States currently," said Prabhu Ram, a vice president at Cybermedia Research. The takeover from ICT by Tata is currently ongoing, both sources said, who declined to be named as they were not authorized to speak on the matter. Apple and Wistron did not respond to requests for comment, while a spokesperson for Tata declined to comment. While Apple's official service centres across India can do basic repairs, they would now ship phones and laptops to Tata's facility for more complex issues. Wistron's ICT however will continue to service other clients excluding Apple, one of the sources said. Amid an impending threat of US President Donald Trump's tariffs on China, India is also emerging as a favoured destination for iPhone exports. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said the bulk of iPhones sold in the United States during June quarter will be made at factories in India.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Tata Harrier EV base variant features revealed. Check them out
Tata Harrier EV will be offered with two battery pack options. The base variant will get just one battery pack. Check Offers Tata Motors has finally launched the Harrier EV in the Indian market. The prices start at ₹ 21.49 lakh ex-showroom. The homegrown manufacturer has not yet revealed the prices of the rest of the lineup. But at the event, Tata Motors did reveal that the Harrier EV will be offered in three variants - Adventure, Fearless and Empowered. At the same event, the brand also showcased a few of the features of the Adventure variant of the Harrier EV. The Adventure variant, being the base variant, will only be offered with the smaller 65 kWh battery pack. As of now, we do not know the range figures of this battery pack. But we do know that it would support fast charging up to 120 kW, where the top up from 20 per cent to 80 per cent happens in just 25 minutes. This variant will be offered only with a rear-wheel drive powertrain in which the electric motor is capable of producing 234 bhp of max power. Depending on the variant, the interior theme of the Harrier EV will change. There would be Tata's new Ultra Glide suspension, which is basically frequency dependent dampers. There would be drive modes - Normal, Wet/Rain and Rough Road and multiple drive modes - Sport, City and Eco. Apart from this, there is also Drift mode on offer. There would be four regen modes on offer that will be controlled via pedal shifters. Tata is also offering cruise control and Acoustic Vehicle Alert System. On the outside, the Harrier EV base variant will come equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with aero inserts, dual-tone paint, LED bi-projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED tail lights, connected lights at either ends, roof rails, integrated side steps, rear wiper and washer, puddle lamps, and a shark-fin antenna. In terms of safety features, there is 6 airbags. all wheel disc brakes, tyre pressure monitoring system and rear parking camera. Tata is also offering features such as traction control, hill descent control, hill hold control, cornering stability control, electronic parking brake, auto hold and brake disc wiping among others. Also Read : Tata Harrier EV launched, price starts at ₹ 21.49 lakh. Top 10 features you must know Additionally, it features 45W USB-C charging ports, a sliding front armrest, tilt and telescopic-adjustable steering, a parcel tray, leatherette seat upholstery, a dual-tone interior theme, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs with an auto-fold function, as well as V2V and V2L capabilities. The 2025 Tata Harrier EV Adventure boasts several key interior features, such as automatic climate control, an eight-way adjustable driver seat, a four-way adjustable front passenger seat, rear AC vents, various terrain modes, multiple drive modes including drift mode, cruise control, an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), dual 10.25-inch displays, iRA connected car technology, connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air (OTA) updates. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 06 Jun 2025, 15:53 PM IST
