TATA Motor’s Magic Iris Takes On Bajaj Auto’s RE60

The Clash of the Titans: TATA Motor’s Magic Iris Takes On Bajaj Auto’s RE60 In A Bid For Being The First Quadricycle In India

The spat between TATA Motors and Bajaj Auto is gaining publicity. The clash between these 2 auto giants is over the production of India’s first quadricycle. TATA Motors is gearing up to launch Magic Iris which is a 3 seater auto with 4 wheels. This is ahead of Bajaj Auto’s quadricycle RE60. A quadricycle is a new category of vehicles which is a sort of link or mid-way between a car and an auto-rickshaw. TATA Motors managed to obtain permission from Delhi authorities to rollout Magic Iris on the streets of India’s capitals.

Bajaj Auto is currently working with state and central governments though the specifications of the quadricycle have not been declared as of yet. TATA Motors refers to Magic Iris as a microvan which will ply on a permit for 3 wheelers. TATA group is also releasing a CNG version of Magic Iris which will function in place of auto-rickshaws. The build up of hostilities between the 2 groups is now public knowledge. Some experts are predicting that Magic Iris could prove to be on collision course with RE60. Whether this will prove to be the case can be deduced by the importance of a quadricycle in India’s congested roads.

India lacks adequate transport infrastructure given its massive population. With increasing congestion and traffic jams in the cities and towns, it becomes necessary to have small sized fuel efficient autos which can solve the problem. Having a quadricycle which is compact enough to manage the busy streets is a feather in the cap for any auto company in India. No wonder TATA Motors and Bajaj Auto are locking horns over this issue.

While RE60 is still awaiting clearance, the speedy approval to TATA Motors could give it a good advantage over its rival. The first mover advantage may be slipping out of the hands of Bajaj Auto due to this reason. Nearly 2 years ago, 5 as well as 3 seater versions of Magic Iris were launched by TATA Motors. Currently, about 2000 or so units of these versions are being sold per month. Buyers are chiefly from small towns and rural regions. But the permission from Delhi could be just the opening TATA Motors needs to capitalize from this venture.

Bajaj Auto is contending that RE60 has a unique advantage over Magic Iris as well as other rivals for the prize. RE60 is the only 4 wheeler to have a light weight of 400 kilograms. It can deliver good mileage as a result of this. It can travel for 35 km on a single litre of petrol. It is also eco-friendly because it emits around 60 grams of carbon dioxide for each kilometre travelled. TATA Motors promises that its CNG Magic Iris can work a spell really well. It offers good safety, comfort and protection from rain and sun while adhering to emission standards of the strictest kind.

In Maharashtra where TATA Motors has also applied for a permit, things look less peachy. Authorities are still debating which category it should fit as it cannot be granted neither a three wheeler nor a taxi permit. They have written to the Automotive Research Association of India for further clarifications. The matter is yet to be resolved. Magic Iris may have hit a roadblock in Maharashtra, but it looks as if it will go full speed ahead in Delhi. Its good performance here could also open the doors for approval in other regions of India.

A big consideration however is the cost of Magic Iris as compared to an auto-rickshaw. The Magic Iris is powered by a 611cc engine and it costs around 2.2 lakhs. RE60 which is powered by a 175cc engine costs around 1.4 lakhs. While the former weighs 680 kg, the latter is around 350 kg. In states such as Assam, Odisha and Bihar where permits are not needed for 3 wheelers even if they are 4 wheeled, Magic Iris has been on the roll.

A big issue however, is that the 14 biggest cities in India including metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai require permits for 3 wheelers. Perhaps the success of these Magic Iris and RE60 is more reliant on who will be given the green signal first. With debates over factors such as cost and mileage taking a backseat to this major issue, it certainly looks as though the authorities will have the final say in this matter.