Tata Nano ,World's Cheapest Car, Phenom Or Flop?
71Nano Europa On Video!
Take The Nano For A Test Drive!
Tata Motor's Nano Currently Slated To Arrive In US In 2012
The world's cheapest production car, the Nano, made by Tata motors, was originally released in India 17 July 2009 at a price of 2,160. The original design of the car, was to give a cheap alternative to a population that was poor and dependent on the motor bike. With a fuel efficiency of 73highway & 62 city (based on India's standards) the Nano captured the imagination of under developed populations world wide.
The cost and fuel efficiency capabilities have been attained by using a two Cylinder motor with a top speed of 65 mph and a series of cost cutting measures. These cost cutting measures include: a non opening trunk in the rear, which must be accessed through the folded seats, a large single wiper instead of the usual pair, no power steering, three lugs per wheel instead of the usual four, only one mirror on the base model, some plastic & glue instead of the usual steel welds, manual roll up windows, no heat or ac in base models and no air bags in the base model.The Europa version of the Nano has all of the deluxe feature found on other cars including heat ac, power steering, four lug wheels, power windows and a three cylinder motor instead of the two cylinder on the base model , ABS brakes and it conforms to European crash test standards. The Europa version has a starting price of about $8,000.00 US and that is about what we can expect to pay in 2012, when it is slated to be sold in this country.
The question that begs for an answer is how will the Nano be received by the American public? Mr.Tata the president of the company is under no illusions, he knows that the American motoring public can be unforgiving when it comes to mistakes as he stated at an earlier auto show. The car as currently configured should be able to get over 50 mpg and have a top speed of at least 65mph and at 8k should produce a small following. City commuters and Green car enthusiast and college kids are the most likely candidates. But for the car to catch on to the mainstream public, the car must prove safe, reliable and the price must stay low. Besides other factors it needs to have a top speed of at least 75mph to be considered capable of getting out on the nation's Interstates! Of course for a large segment of our population, that doesn't feel safe in any thing smaller that a full sized pickup or an Suv, the question of the Nano is a mute point.
Whether the Nano succeeds or not, the ripples in the automotive world may be profound. It may cause lower prices across the board, for newer cars, and could cause the used car market to tumble, as would be used car buyers opt for the first time, to buy a new car, that can pay for it's self in fuel saving, in as little as 5 years. What impact will an ultra cheap car that gets 50 mpgs have on the sale of hybrids in this country?
Pictures Courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano
Your Chance To Way In!
How Will Tata Motor's Nano Be Received In The USA ?
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I think that as currently configured you're absolutely correct! If however they can get the initial price closer to 5k and the price of gas gets to over $4.00 a gallon, who knows? Maybe they could get a foot hold! Thanks for your post Mentalist acer!
So cute! They look like toys!
They look similar to the Toyota Yaris and a host of other compacts making their way into the market. Thanks for posting habee!
This car belongs to Tata and he knows his business,would never let it and his words fail,after all this is some thing related to his prestige,by the way I am a follower of Tata school thinkings.
Thank you suny51 for your post! I certainly hope that Tata motors has a successful venture here in the United States. It would not only lead to lower prices for new and used cars, but would also add competition in categories like small pick ups where the mpgs have been stuck in the 25 mpg range for a very long time. I would like to see a truck get at least 30 mpg.
Great article - I expect if oil prices ever return to $140/barrel these will start selling well in Western cities as a micro urban vehicle.
Daniel Belize Thanks for weighing in! With any pick up in the economy and with the current halt to off shore drilling it could happen very quickly! I do think at the very least, these will make a great metro commute car!
It's a great little car and the poll seems to support this view and for the financially troubled, and there's plenty of those in the great US it will be a Godsend.
It does look a handsome little bug, doesn't it? I rather fancy one myself, it'd be great for the shopping.
I've never owned a brand new car, because I put on 20-25K a year it has really made good economic sense! With this car it could. Thanks for your interest katyzzz!
The car is available on demand now, but only the base model,book and take it home.
Thanks for posting suny51! When you say available, I take it you mean you can order one in advance. I didn't think they were supposed to come to the USA until 2012.
Could be a huge success in heavily populated areas for short trips. Kind of like a covered motorbike only safer. High oil prices and a financial crisis make it an option for many I would think.
I agree, at under 3,000 in US dollars this car in underdeveloped countries at over 50 mpg is a no brainer, that is if you have the money to put up the cash! Thanks billyaustindillion for your post!
I like this car. This hub also informative. I'll wait this car launched in Indonesia. I liked Nano Europe design. It look simple and elegance. Good work, my friend.
Thanks prasetio30! I had a lot of fun writing this hub and can't wait to see it arrive in the USA!
Mentalist acer Level 6 Commenter 24 months ago
I feel even at a top speed of 75 mph,while spending a great deal of time on the interstate the engine would be run into the ground...I would not consider the Nano as an option.
Thanks for the detailed and interesting Hub Nifty50:)