Tata Nano – A Look at the World’s Cheapest Car

Advertised as “the world’s cheapest car“, the Nano is a no-frills automobile designed by Tata to be affordable to millions who commute on 2-wheelers carrying a family of 4-6!! The impact is huge, and everyone is excited at the prospect of owning a car that is only 1 lakh rupees ($2500).

The US economy might not be in its best times, but the growth and revolutions in emerging markets like India are breaking all barriers! The latest to hit the ever-growing Asian and European markets is the sensational Tata Nano – the no-fuss, fuel-efficient energy car that has fueled every Indian’s dream to own a car. Anywhere else, a new car may have received some acclaim for what it’s worth, but in india, things are different. This tiny-tot has created quite a havoc, but whether it stands the tests of time, and whether it creates more problems than solutions is yet to be seen.

Termed as a “People’s Car”, it is a cute (or maybe not!!), compact car designed to appeal to first-time car buyers in one of the world’s fastest growing car markets. The car is the culmination of about five years of research and input from designers across the world. But it is definitely a step ahead in innovation, right from using aerospace adhesives instead of welding, a clean and efficient fuel-burning technology to the concept, distribution strategy and marketing, and has succeeded in catching the attention of the world.

Designed to look sleek and compact, about the size of a BMW Mini Cooper, and styled to enable aerodynamics, this concept car is not for those seeking class. The four-door Nano is a little over 10 feet long and nearly 5 feet wide. It is powered by a 623cc two-cylinder engine at the back of the car. With 33 horsepower, the Nano is capable of 65 miles an hour. There’s a single wind-shield wiper, and no A/C (though a high-end version will also be out sooon) Its four small wheels are at the absolute corners of the car to improve handling. There is a small trunk, big enough for a duffel bag, but on the whole, it does give tough competition to the current favorite Maruti-800.

A look at the side effects of this revolution is in order here. As everyone knows, India is densely-populated, and the current road conditions, narrow lanes, and lack of traffic control, and the dearth of parking structures may be on a rise if the streets get flooded with these cars!! On the other hand, neccessity is the mother of invention, so this might give rise to more infrastructure opportunities and new businesses! It will surely be a safer bet for those families of 6 who risk their lives travelling long distances on a motor-bike!!

Tata Nano for Europe in 4 years

India’s top car maker Tata Motors will create a European version of the world’s cheapest car within the next four years, a company executive said in an interview to be published on Monday.

“In four years, we’re going to develop a successor (to Tata’s bargain-rate Nano car) that will respect Euro-5 rules on exhaust emissions and European requirements in terms of safety standards,” Girish Wagh, head of Tata’s small vehicles department, told the German weekly Focus magazine.

In January, Tata unveiled a $2500-car billed as the world’s cheapest to mixed reviews. While experts say the car could revolutionise how millions travel, others worry about pollution.

Wagh did not say how much the European spin-off might cost.

Canadians hot for Tata Nano; $2,500 car from India would be big seller

It may not be available in Canada for years, if ever, but Canadians have already fallen in love with the idea of the Tata Nano, the world cheapest car.

With a top speed of 105 kilometres an hour, a 33-horsepower engine and the looks of a snub-nosed beagle, the Tata Nano from India is hardly a vehicle that could be described as a “babe magnet.”

But the expected $2,500 price tag is drawing plenty of attention – including from young women – a poll of Canadians suggests. By comparison, inexpensive sub-compacts in Canada can cost upwards of $12,000. The Canadian Press Harris/Decima survey of 1,004 adults conducted in late January suggests the Nano would be a hit in Canada if Tata Motors, which expects to start production this fall, decides to export the car.

Tata has said the Nano would be manufactured strictly for the India market for the next two years.

More than one in three respondents (36 per cent) said that someone in their household was either certain or likely to buy one if they could, although 41 per cent said that was unlikely.

As well, 21 per cent said they believe the five-seater will be a big winner around the world over the next 10 years, and 54 per cent said they believed it would be at least a moderate success. The poll has a 95 per cent accuracy probability within a sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

“I think this tells us that as much as we’re seeing growth in the luxury car segment, there’s still burgeoning demand in the lower end segment, particularly among younger Canadians and those who are not as well off,” said Bob Murphy, senior vice-president with the polling firm.