The automotive industry is experiencing something new, which is fostered by the limitless and endless technological innovation. Companies are more inclined to possess a diversified portfolio of vehicles because it allows them to compete on different fronts. After establishing its name when it comes to SUVs, Tata has now introduced petrol-powered versions of the Harrier and Safari, with market launch set for December 2025.
Introducing the Harrier and Safari: Are petrol-powered cars still profitable?
Electric vehicles are quickly taking over the market, leading corporations to focus on them instead of petroleum-fuelled cars. Many countries have recognized the importance of eliminating fossil fuel emissions in order to preserve the environment, and EVs are more popular now. However, Tata has gone completely against the grain and the most popular market in the contemporary world by producing petrol cars.
Petrol cars can still be profitable, depending on the market for which they are specifically produced. Diesel and electric cars are generally more expensive than petrol cars, so the Harrier and Safari will benefit massively from the overabundance of EVs. Tata has displayed strategic planning by coming up with cars that do not necessarily reflect the majority of consumer demands.
Tata makes a shocking pivot: How do Tata’s new cars fit into their portfolio?
The automotive industry requires corporations to continuously redevelop strategies and rebuild cars to make them more suitable for the current market. However, when companies introduce new changes to upcoming cars, they tend to hang onto the characteristics that define their identities because some customers become attached to those core elements. Tata has, for a long time, prioritized diesel vehicles but decided to pivot from that and install a petrol engine in the Harrier and Safari. This is not just any typical petrol engine; it is a 1.5-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol unit that was first advertised in 2023.
Delving deep into Tata’s new all-petrol engine inside the Harrier and Safari
The engine is specifically designed to deliver approximately 170 hp of power and around 280 Nm of torque. These figures might seem unfathomable or confusing for non-car enthusiasts, but essentially, they perfectly balance performance and efficiency for the general driving conditions. The engine is representative of the groundbreaking technology in the modern world as it features direct gasoline injection, dual cam phasing for optimized combustion, and an aluminium block with a variable-geometry turbocharger. Importantly, the engine will be installed in both automatic and manual vehicles, giving potential customers greater freedom.
Tata’s masterplan to announce its presence in the Automotive industry
Although Tata was first established in 1945, it is not one of the most famous or recognizable car brands in the world. Tata’s current strategy appears to aim toward gaining global notoriety instead of having a presence only in India.
The Mumbai-based corporation recently revealed that the new Sierra SUV’s customer reservations began on the 16th of December. This means Tata will have various releases in the month of December, allowing it to flood the market heading into 2026. The upcoming Harrier and Safari will reportedly be priced below the diesel price of entry, which should allow Tata to cater to customers who might have elected to buy from different corporations.
The instinctive reaction to the forthcoming Harrier and Safari is that it is not marketable in the current landscape, but that is a lazy analysis. The bigger picture is that consumers are demanding refined, smooth-running petrol engines instead of the costly diesel and electric cars. Thus, Tata might benefit massively from exploiting a wide-open gap in the industry and perhaps might also transform manufacturers’ usual strategies. As the new releases are slated for a December date, Tata has introduced an affordable Christmas present option for those who are shopping at the moment.
