Now eyes on outer body panels: Tata Steel

Tata steel is now eyeing on supply of external body panels to Tata Nano. The company is already supplying internal components for the car. Anand Sen, vice president, flat products, Tata Steel, said, We are in discussions with Tata Motors for supply of external body panels to Tata Nano. We are already supplying internal components for the car. Tata Steel has already set up a dedicated production line at its Tubes Division in Jamshedpur to manufacture hydroforma tubes for Nano. As part of this, tubes manufactured here undergo a special hydroforming process. This makes them ready for use as engine cradle inside the Nano car. Through this process, Tata Steel tubes division has also contributed in reducing the weight of the small car. Hydroform tubes are used by global automakers in developed markets, since they reduce the number of weld joints and make a car light weight.