Tata Motors, India’s biggest vehicle manufacturers, launched luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover in the country on Sunday.

Tata Motors makes about 60% of all the trucks and buses made in India and in recent times it has sought to expand its presence in the global markets. Last year it bought the marquee brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motors.

Announcing the launch of the luxury cars in India, Tata Motors Chairman, Ratan Tata said that he was proud to facilitate the extension of brand penetration in India. Though the luxury car segment is just 1% of the total car market, still this is a niche market and relatively unaffected by the global recession which has led to crippling slumps in demand for the auto industry in other countries, most notably the United States.

With the launch, India will see the entry of the first Jaguar luxury coupes and convertibles belonging to the XF and XK range which carry a starting price tag of $1, 30,977 or 6.3 million rupees and go up 9 million rupees. Among the vehicles being introduced by Land Rover in India are the Range Rover Sport and the Land Rover Discovery 3, also belonging to the same price bracket.