Tata Sumo

Tata Sumo is a multi-utility car released by Tata Motors of India in 1994
Prior to the Sumo, the Indian market had stagnated, where the most modern vehicles in the same class were from the class were from Mahindra, primarily derived from the original Willys Jeep models. As such, the Sumo was able to quickly make a name for itself. As such, the Tata Sumo can claim to have created the utility vehicle segment in India.
The Sumo is based on Tata Motors' 207 pick-up platform and thus, shared most of its other mechanicals with other Tata vehicles like the Tata Sierra, Tata Estate, Tata Tatamobile, Tata Telcoline (TL) and Tata 207DI. In 1994, the Tata Sumo originally came with a 1948 cc normally aspirated diesel engine. Later, an option of a turbocharged version of the same engine was also offered.
To stay alive in the competition, the Sumo regularly went through minor cosmetic upgrades such as body coloured bumpers, body graphics and so on. Some of its higher variants shared interior components from the more expensive Tata Safari SUV and the Tata Indigo sedan.
A no-frills version called the Tata Spacio is also available. It is equipped with a 3000 cc DI diesel engine sourced from the popular LCV Tata 407. The prominent visual difference was the presence of round headlamps instead of the rectangular lamps. A soft top version of the Spacio called the Spacio ST was also introduced for the rural markets.

The Sumo received an extensive facelift in 2004 and was renamed the Sumo Victa in face of competition from relatively modern competitors.
The Victa has a feature set that is is seen as relatively uncommon for an MUV in India. Power windows, power steering, dual AC, central locking, clear lens multi reflector head lamps, crystal finish tail lamp cluster, anti glare ORVMS with electronic control, remote keyless entry, tachometers, LCD monitors, voice warnings, multiple trip odometers are all either standard or available options.
After the facelift, the Spacio inherited the styling elements of the older Tata Sumo. In 2007, the Victa became available with the Spacio's 3000 cc engine. And in terms of styling, the positioning of the spare wheel was changed from the rear tailgate to the underbody of the vehicle.
This model comes in 8 & 10 seater variants and is very much popular with private transporters & contract taxi vendors because of its lower cost.