International car brand making a big return to South Africa

While Tata’s commercial (truck-focused) division, Tata International South Africa, has been in the country since the early 1990s, the passenger vehicle subsidiary exited the market in 2019.

The company now plans to relaunch in the local market by introducing a range of hatchbacks, crossovers, and SUVs from August 2025, targeting various segments.

Tata has appointed Motus Holdings as the exclusive distributor for its passenger vehicle range.

“South Africa is an important market in our global expansion journey,” said Yash Khandelwal, Head of International Business at TMPV. 

“With our class-leading products and a reputed partner in Motus, we are here to offer our South African customers a choice of safe, stylish, and innovation-driven vehicles.” 

“We will deliver a distinctive and future-ready mobility experience, backed by attractive pricing, competitive financing, and industry-leading aftersales support.”

Tata Motors has a strong presence in India, producing vehicles across multiple categories. All its passenger cars currently hold four or five-star ratings from the Global and Bharat New Car Assessment Programmes (GNCAP and BNCAP). 

According to the company, its South African range will also feature high safety ratings, with models designed to balance affordability, practicality, and modern features.

Khandelwal said the company’s return is not just about selling cars but also about contributing to the local economy through job creation in areas such as sales, servicing, parts distribution, and technical training for local workers.

Motus, which will manage the brand’s sales and distribution locally, said the focus would be on offering vehicles that match the needs of South African buyers. 

“We are excited to launch a brand which embodies an advanced design architecture, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched safety standards across the entire model range,” said Thato Magasa, CEO of Motus Holdings’ TMPV South Africa business. 

“From advanced safety features and robust build quality to future-focused mobility solutions, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles’ upcoming range is aligned to the needs and realities of the market.”

What to expect

TMPV is set to unveil its new South African lineup on 19 August 2025, with the vehicles having been rigorously tested for performance and comfort to ensure they meet local expectations.

The range will be supported by a well-established dealer network and robust after-sales infrastructure, aiming to deliver what the company calls a “rich and reliable ownership experience” to customers across the country.

While full details will only be revealed at the launch, TopAuto pointed to four likely models making their way to local showrooms—the Tata Harrier, Curvv, Punch, and Tiago.

The Harrier will be one of the flagship offerings, a midsize SUV powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 125kW. 

It is expected to compete in the growing SUV segment with a blend of performance, comfort, and safety.

The Tata Curvv, a crossover coupe, will offer two engine options: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol unit with 88kW or a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel producing 85kW. This will provide customers with both petrol and diesel choices in a sporty, coupe-inspired body.

For those seeking a smaller SUV, the Punch will be a compact crossover powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering 64kW and 115Nm. 

It is expected to appeal to urban drivers looking for practicality, affordability, and modern styling.

At the entry level, the Tiago hatchback will likely serve as the brand’s most affordable offering. 

Equipped with a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 63kW, it will come with the choice of either a five-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT).

Tata Tiago

Tata Punch

Tata Curvv

Tata Harrier

Issued on BusinessTech by Malcolm Libera | https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/834916/international-car-brand-making-a-big-return-to-south-africa/