Tata discontinues faithful Sumo after 25 years of production

by IndianAuto Team | 08/04/2019
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Tata Sumo discontinued owing to its inability to meet upcoming emission and safety regulations. It has been among the most successful UVs to have been on sale in the country.

While the Tata Indica hogged the limelight for the company’s passenger vehicle department after 1998, it was the Tata Sumo which was previously reserved as its flagship show boy on showroom floors. The Sumo was arguably the model which kickstarted India’s love for SUVs and one of the first to introduce an indigenously designed multi-utility vehicle with basic creature comforts of a sedan. The model even holds accolades of being the second longest run nameplate in the country, taking honours right below the 800 and above the Santro. So there is no denying the kind of cult following that the Sumo has. Sadly, Sumo loyalist has to now say their last goodbyes and thank the car for all the memories. Almost 25 years of continuous production later, Tata has decided to discontinue the name brand, along with the Bolt hatchback which is soon to be replaced by the new Altroz.

 

Tata Sumo EX 4x4 2001 front three quarters

 

The Tata Sumo went through some name changes, each getting its own set of visual, comfort and engine upgrades. First, there was the Sumo, then Sumo Deluxe, then to the Sumo+, the Sumo Victa and eventually to the Sumo Grande, before returning to the original design with the Sumo Gold and then back to the Grande MK II. The Gold was the last true iteration of the Sumo and served as the facelift for the under-selling Victa. It was powered by a 3.0-litre common-rail diesel engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Yes, the Sumo’s journey has been a long, successful and complex one. However, the company assures us that that the move is for the better as it would like to focus their efforts more on upcoming vehicles which will be based on the company’s new Alfa and Omega Arc platforms. The next full-size seven-seater from Tata will be the recently-revealed Buzzard and will take over reins for Tata’s customers with large families.

 

Tata Sumo Gold front three quarters

 

With the onset of new emission and safety regulations which will become mandatory, the Sumo is another nameplate from Indian manufacturers that have had to be shelved. The list also included the Nano and the omnipresent Maruti Omni.

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