The most exclusive product ever from Tata Sierra brand, software glitches taken care of: Shailesh Chandra

Based on conversation with Arpit Mahendra. Tata Motors has launched Sierra today, whose ex-showroom price is Rs 11.49 lakh. It is one of the oldest SUV names for both the country and the company. Shailesh Chandra, CEO and MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, says the project was guided by a simple idea: to bring back the spirit of the original Sierra while creating a car that today’s young buyers would want.Speaking to TOI Auto, Chandra said that the first generation Sierra had left a strong emotional impact in the early 1990s. Many Gen X customers still remember it as their dream car. He said, “It was an iconic brand, which was the dream car of many Gen For example, the car had features like air-conditioning, tachometer, power-steering and more.On the other hand, the company has faced software-related issues with new launches in the past. When Chandra was asked about the software glitches that some models faced in their initial cycles, he admitted that the fast-paced world of automotive software has been challenging not only for Tata Motors but also for global brands. He said the company has learned from those experiences and made rapid improvements. “We have matured our software process significantly,” he said, adding that Tata Motors now has centralized software integration teams, dedicated testing labs and co-located suppliers to resolve issues during development itself. He pointed to the Harrier EV as proof of this progress and described its software as largely glitch-free. Chandra said he is confident that Sierra will benefit from this robust process and deliver a very mature technology experience.

The new Sierra is positioned in the midsize SUV segment. Chandra said the stretch offers the right balance of interior space and city-friendly size. “This section has reached good condition. It is spacious inside, but the footprint is optimized so it is easy to drive and park in congested cities,” he said.The company wanted to create a mid-size SUV that would give buyers the premium experience of a large SUV. According to Chandra, the cabin reflects this idea. “The interior feels very premium from a space point of view. The panoramic sunroof gives you airiness. The color materials and fabrics are of very high quality,” he said.Technology also plays an important role in Sierra’s identity. Chandra said young audiences expect modern technology that matches their digital lifestyle. “Your tech stack should be a notch higher. This is the first car to come with 5G connectivity. It has a triple screen, L2 plus ADAS, a head-up display and Dolby Atmos,” he said.

Asked if the Sierra is Tata Motors’ most advanced model yet, Chandra said it is a unique car in its segment. “In this segment, it is the most exclusive car with the highest level of technology and premiumness,” he said.Based on design cues, the carmaker did not include elements such as a rear-mounted spare wheel. Chandra said the decision was taken after studying global design trends and customer expectations. “We had to take the DNA of the Sierra and bring it into a modern incarnation. The choice of whether to keep the tires was based on where we wanted to keep the car. We wanted to offer a clamshell tailgate that looked very premium,” he said.The Sierra is close to the Harrier in size, but Chandra believes that both the SUVs attract different buyers. “There are very different groups of customers. A Harrier customer is looking for dynamic styling and performance. A Sierra customer wants a car that stands out and expresses their personality,” he said. He said some overlap is normal in any brand’s lineup, but he doesn’t see it as a concern. “There will always be some overlap, but I don’t think it’s significant.,Tata Motors is also considering the Sierra for international markets. South Africa is one of the regions where it could be introduced next year. Chandra said, “Sierra fits very well into what the market prefers. We can consider launching it in the next financial year.”The Sierra EV is also on the way. Asked about the timeline, Chandra confirmed, “First half of the next financial year.”