Tata Officially Re-Enters SA Passenger-Car Market with ‘Bold’ Model Range

August 19, 2025

Backed by the Motus Group, Tata Motors’ plans for re-introduction to the South African market include launching up to 17 new products by 2030.

Tiago. Image: Tata Motors

At a gala event held in Johannesburg, Tata Motors Managing Director Shailesh Chandra confirmed that his brand’s aspirations for expansion outside its home Indian market include aligning its modern product lineup with the needs of the South African consumer. Should these plans succeed, with up to 17 new products waiting in the wings for South Africa, Tata Motors hopes to capture up to 8% of SA’s passenger-car market.

Chandra was quick to point out that the key determining factors in Tata Motors’ extraordinary growth in the Indian market over the past five years have been bold, “disruptive” designs, class-leading safety, and advanced technology, including in the field of all-electric mobility.

The brand will officially begin taking orders for a range of four initial products – the Tiago compact hatchback, the Punch compact crossover, the Curvv coupé SUV, and the flagship Harrier medium-sized SUV – from 1 September. With the backing of the Motus Group, the plan is for 40 initial dealerships to grow to up to 70 within the next two years.

Phase two of the reintroduction will see the Tata Nexon and Sierra SUVs – the latter sharing design cues with a certain Land Rover product (Tata has owned Jaguar Land Rover since 2008) – being launched.

Punch. Image: Tata Motors

With its range said to be priced “from below R200 000”, the Tiago hatchback is powered by a 63 kW 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol “Revotron” engine offered with either a 5-speed manual or automated manual transmission (AMT). The vehicle displayed on the night featured alloy wheels, daytime-running lights, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, digital instrumentation, a flat-bottom steering wheel with illuminated Tata badging, a reverse parking camera, electrically adjustable side mirrors and ESP stability control.

Powered by the same engine and transmission options as the Tiago, the Punch is currently the best-selling vehicle in India. This compact SUV features 187 mm of ground clearance and doors that open to 90 degrees, and appears to ship with a 10.25-inch infotainment display with smartphone mirroring, keyless start, a voice-activated sunroof, auto wipers and several driving modes.

The Curvv features a raised ride height with a fashionable coupé-style roofline that ends in a sharp rear spoiler incorporating the vehicle’s LED taillamps. This premium product is fitted with a turbocharged 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine paired exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. On the night, the striking Curvv featured a fully digital cockpit, an electric handbrake, a JBL sound system and a 360-degree parking setup.

Curvv. Image: Tata Motors

Tata’s flagship Harrier medium-sized SUV is powered by a “Kryotec” 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine assembled under licence from the Stellantis Group, where it’s known as the Multijet II powertrain. In this application, it is paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Harrier ships with full LED lighting, front and rear, level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance), a pseudo Terrain Response driving mode setup, a 12.3-inch Harman infotainment display and 10.25-inch digital instrumentation.

Significantly, Tata Motors South Africa has said that this initial four-model lineup will be priced “from below R200 000 to R700 000”. It has also confirmed a standard five-year/125 000 km warranty, with service plans set to be announced once pricing is confirmed at the beginning of September.