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News report just out:
From the article:
"And, he pledged to go to Europe and America soon, with safer, cleaner but still ultra-cheap Nanos for the developed world.
The Nano was initially targeted at impoverished first-time car buyers in Asia and Africa, but the global economic meltdown has amplified Ratan Tata’s export ambitions.
Tata Motors unveiled the Nano Europa, a slightly more robust version of the Indian model, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, with a planned launch of 2011.
The company is now designing a version of the Nano that meets U.S. safety and emissions standards and should be ready for launch in about three years, Tata said.
“A year ago, I would have said the United States is not on our radar screen,” Tata said at a lunch with reporters Monday. Now, he added, “We see an opportunity for a low-cost car. In this economic situation we can see perhaps there is a place for it.”
The Nano, with a starting retail price of 112,735 rupees ($2,233) is a stripped-down car for stripped-down times: It is 10.2 feet (3.1 meters) long, has one windshield wiper, and a 623cc rear engine.
The four-seater can travel up to 65 miles an hour (105 kilometers an hour) and gets 55.5 miles to the gallon (23.6 kilometers per liter). The Nano does not have air bags or antilock brakes — neither of which is required in India — and if you want air conditioning or power windows, you’ll have to pay extra."
I like these comments, from an Indian car writer:
“It is a proper car,” said Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, a trade magazine. He said the designers made clever compromises to keep costs down, scrimping on the plushness of the seats, but offering a comfy suspension and ample interior space.
The Nano should make global automakers stop loading their cars with costly gadgets people don’t really want, he added.
“Finally, it’s going to make people realize they should be building cars that people need,” he said. “This is where multinationals have failed.”
As far as Nanos to the U.S., I'll believe it when I see it. Their financial situation is not that great.
Karl
From the article:
"And, he pledged to go to Europe and America soon, with safer, cleaner but still ultra-cheap Nanos for the developed world.
The Nano was initially targeted at impoverished first-time car buyers in Asia and Africa, but the global economic meltdown has amplified Ratan Tata’s export ambitions.
Tata Motors unveiled the Nano Europa, a slightly more robust version of the Indian model, at the Geneva Motor Show this month, with a planned launch of 2011.
The company is now designing a version of the Nano that meets U.S. safety and emissions standards and should be ready for launch in about three years, Tata said.
“A year ago, I would have said the United States is not on our radar screen,” Tata said at a lunch with reporters Monday. Now, he added, “We see an opportunity for a low-cost car. In this economic situation we can see perhaps there is a place for it.”
The Nano, with a starting retail price of 112,735 rupees ($2,233) is a stripped-down car for stripped-down times: It is 10.2 feet (3.1 meters) long, has one windshield wiper, and a 623cc rear engine.
The four-seater can travel up to 65 miles an hour (105 kilometers an hour) and gets 55.5 miles to the gallon (23.6 kilometers per liter). The Nano does not have air bags or antilock brakes — neither of which is required in India — and if you want air conditioning or power windows, you’ll have to pay extra."
I like these comments, from an Indian car writer:
“It is a proper car,” said Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, a trade magazine. He said the designers made clever compromises to keep costs down, scrimping on the plushness of the seats, but offering a comfy suspension and ample interior space.
The Nano should make global automakers stop loading their cars with costly gadgets people don’t really want, he added.
“Finally, it’s going to make people realize they should be building cars that people need,” he said. “This is where multinationals have failed.”
As far as Nanos to the U.S., I'll believe it when I see it. Their financial situation is not that great.
Karl
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