Tata's $2,000 Nano car to hit Indian streets in July

After getting official over a year ago, missing its original production plan and eventually hitting a wall with respect to production, Tata's long-awaited Nano vehicle is all set to take to the streets this July. According to a fresh report over at Reuters, the world's cheapest car (100,000 rupee, or $1,980) is expected to be the hottest thing around when it ships in India in a matter of months. In fact, there are so many orders waiting to be filled, initial owners will be "randomly selected from bookings made between April 9 and 25." We're also told that a European variant will be launched by 2011, and while a US model is still a possibility, no firm launch date has been given there. Good luck getting your rear into one, and be sure and shoot us a few hands-on shots if you do.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 23rd 2009 4:43PM]

cant wait for this one !
*claps*

oh and I hope they're able to turn a profit of Jaguar ; )

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 23rd 2009 4:43PM]

Another reason why Nano is made for India:

http://basia.blog-city.com/sixpack.htm

This is what is the best value proposition of the Nano: Remove such two wheelers from the roads, make it safer for families like these and those driving around such two wheelers with 6 people riding!

if you have time, you can go through this complete blog. (this blog is not mine! :) Enjoy!

Jai Ho Nano!

[Thunderbuck Posted Mar 23rd 2009 6:37PM]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Another fossil-burner, set to hit a wider market. Sure it's cheap, but what of all the extra oil it will burn?

We need to face a couple of realities here. First, the Indian middle class is (still) mushrooming, and car ownership there is ballooning as a result. Second, more sustainable technologies (electric, hybrid, fuel-cell, whatever) are still WAY too expensive to sell profitably at this level.

Bearing that in mind, I think the Nano is a fantastic piece of cutting-edge engineering. It certainly can be produced in a more responsible way than anything else available on the Indian sub-continent right now, just due to its production engineering. This is a much more responsible vehicle for Tata to be producing, given the realities of its market.

I'm NOT convinced this vehicle will work in the North American market in its current form, but that's not what its designed for.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 23rd 2009 7:18PM]

Awesome price.

In the western world, it would be taxed to hell. Most in the more affluent countries would kill anything rocking the boat, price-wise. Or tax or litigate it to hell. It will be interesting to see where this goes outside of its home country.

Nearly all people driving cars are spending a LOT of their income keeping them on roads, after insurance and fuel taxes and maintenance, the initial purchase price starts to pale into insignificance, really.

Still, great to see something like this priced like a higher-end pedal-powered bike and/or electric bike.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 23rd 2009 11:12PM]

This is the same company that bought Jaguar from Ford.

See the similarity?

[mdsf Posted Mar 24th 2009 12:00AM]

Hmmm... Should I buy a new laptop or a new car?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 2:17AM]

buy a laptop if you can drive it dumbass!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 8:12AM]

For all those who represent Fox News, Miss Teen South Carolina and Sarah Palin, my two cents --
1. 56 mpg
2. Model-T -- A car that put America rolling. In 1914, an assembly line worker could buy a Model T with four months' pay.
2000$ in India, probably still costlier for the assembly line worker to buy with four month's pay. So yes, it may sound cheap, but its really not that in India.
3. If anything, this will make the roads wider, better and confirm people living far and wide thereby reducing dense population pockets near a temple/bus station/office area.
4. Tata is already working on a "air-powered", electric and diesel variants. Having seen the 40 degree summers and ridiculous rains, I can see why a car makes sense for people who would like to upgrade from a bike.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2009 12:01PM]

This car isn't the safest thing in the world but it is competing against the ghastly mopeds that people in India own right now and I can assure you that these cars, while lacking some safety features, are still much safer than the mopeds. More info about the story here, http://www.newsy.com/videos/world_s_cheapest_car_hits_market/

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 3:10PM]

This car isn't the safest thing in the world but it is competing against the ghastly mopeds that people in India own right now and I can assure you that these cars, while lacking some safety features, are still much safer than the mopeds. More info about the story here, http://www.newsy.com/videos/world_s_cheapest_car_hits_market/

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2009 3:39PM]

You get what you pay for, and often times, not even. I smell a Yugo here. Wouldn't want to be involved in an accident .

[(Unverified) Posted May 8th 2009 10:26AM]

I am an American engineer and I always loves these pissing contests. I have read a lot of these statements and it seems like a lot of chest beating on both sides. Hardly any of the realities take into account the current state of innovation these days.

I, for one, am very happy for the Indian people and their upward mobility. I think the worlds largest democracy deserves to have the fruits of their labors. I have worked with Indians and have usually enjoyed their company. I would take exception to the idea that they somehow drive American innovation as I think one person put it. I have worked with a lot of different people and companies, and Indians hardly dominate the innovation landscape. That is not to say they are not there but America is full of talented engineers from all over the world (including many many from our own nation). They are a developing country and they have a lot of talented people (just as the US, Germany, and Japan does).

I think the real challenge facing India is creating a middle class that is vibrant and viable. It is indeed a challenge given the wide range of ethnic and religious groups in the country. It is remarkable that they can keep it together and they should be commended for the stability they have created.

You have a little ways to go but I look forward to the future competition and pissing contests! I have no doubt that you are up for it!

[(Unverified) Posted May 8th 2009 10:29AM]

I am an American engineer and I always loves these pissing contests. I have read a lot of these statements and it seems like a lot of chest beating on both sides. Hardly any of the realities take into account the current state of innovation these days.

I, for one, am very happy for the Indian people and their upward mobility. I think the worlds largest democracy deserves to have the fruits of their labors. I have worked with Indians and have usually enjoyed their company. I would take exception to the idea that they somehow drive American innovation as I think one person put it. I have worked with a lot of different people and companies, and Indians hardly dominate the innovation landscape. They are a developing country and they have a lot of talented people (just as the US, Germany, and Japan does).

I think the real challenge facing India is creating a middle class that is vibrant and viable. It is indeed a challenge given the wide range of ethnic and religious groups in the country. It is remarkable that they can keep it together and they should be commended for that.

I don't know if you are there yet but I look forward to future friendly competition and pissing contests! I know it is coming.