Tata Motors says no to softer emission rules for small cars

A simmering rift between India’s top automakers over upcoming emission norms has burst into the open. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Friday publicly rejected calls for easing norms for small cars, directly countering market leader Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's longstanding demand for relaxed standards.

- Ayaan Kartik & Nehal Chaliawala

Shailesh Chandra, managing director of the Mumbai-based carmaker—and president of industry lobby Siam (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)—said on the sidelines of the company’s Q2 earnings that there was “no justification” for any relaxation in the next phase of emission norms for small cars.

He further warned that redefining small cars based on weight rather than the current classification based on length and engine size would incentivize unsafe designs.

“We do not support any move to include weight in the definition of small car. Such an arbitrary criteria would conflict with one of the country’s most critical imperative that is safety,” Chandra said.