The Tata Nano, India's $2,500 Car

136 messages, Last post on Dec 26, 2009 at 8:52 PM

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2009 Tata Nano First Drive - First Impressions: Not ready for life in America, but a real car nonetheless.(more)

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#44 of 136 "Is The Tata Nano Too Cheap?" by hpmctorque Aug 15, 2008 (11:04 pm)
An article in the New York Times suggests the following: "The wonderful era of the ultra cheap car — the People’s Car! — could be over before it’s begun. Introduced to great international fanfare in January at the New Delhi Auto Show, the Tata Nano was heralded as the great hope for the Indian middle class. A bare-bones sedan with a 623-cc engine, the Nano was promised to sell for only $2,500. It was going to get Indians off their scooters and into cars. But that was before prices for steel and other raw materials began to climb — and climb and climb. From the Times of London: Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata, has admitted that he faces a dilemma. “If we pass on all costs to the consumer, it will affect demand, and if we don’t, it will affect margins,” he told investors recently. The economics underpinning the Nano, which is due to go on sale this autumn, make it especially vulnerable to commodity market moves." I found this very interesting, but not too surprising. $2500 sounds just too good to be true for a new car, even a minamalist micro car produced with cheap labor. It'll be interesting to see where the Nano goes from here. Replies to this message: gagrice (Aug 16, 2008 7:52 am)
#45 of 136 Re: "Is The Tata Nano Too Cheap?" [hpmctorque] by gagrice Aug 16, 2008 (7:52 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 15, 2008 11:04 pm) What is interesting is Tata also bought Corus the huge British steel producer. I think that makes Tata one of the largest steel producers in the World. I agree that building a car and selling it for $2500 in this world economy seems nearly impossible. Then with the price of gas they will be hard pressed to afford to drive it. I would be surprised if it gets better than 50 MPG in real life driving.
#46 of 136 From the Associated Press, August 22... by hpmctorque Aug 22, 2008 (9:37 pm)
"NEW DELHI-- The chairman of the Tata Group threatened today to move an important auto factory out of India's West Bengal state because of violent farmer protests and strong political opposition, a move that could delay the debut of the world's cheapest car." Just a week ago we read that the Nano will probably miss its prce target, and now we learn that production may be delayed yet again.
#47 of 136 Back On Track by hpmctorque Sep 07, 2008 (9:23 pm)
"NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Tata Motors will proceed with its plans to build a plant for its ultra-low-budget Nano car in eastern India, after talks yielded a compromise ending violent protests against the factory, Agence-France Presse reported Sunday, citing officials." News about the Nano doesn't matter to American motorists, but it may matter in the future if the Nano becomes the world's spiritual successor to the Model T or the VW Beetle.
#48 of 136 A Rebadged Nano For The U.S.? by hpmctorque Nov 12, 2008 (9:30 pm)
With the U.S. in recession that some say could be the deepest and longest in 70 years, would there be an opportunity for one of the Detroit 3 to work out an arrangement with Tata Motors to import rebadged Nanos? Supposing they could be modified to meet U.S. safety and emissions requirements, and sold for, say, $3,999, and $4,499 with A/C. I think there might be a niche market here for such a car for local driving and short commutes. Of course, that name would have to be replaced with something more appealing to Americans.
#49 of 136 odd couple? by steve_ HOST Dec 23, 2008 (12:33 pm)
"The Formula 1 tie-up between Ferrari and Tata has made headlines, but it is actually just a more high-profile continuation of a relationship already in place." lFerrari Increases Link to India's Tata as Situation Worsens in Industry (Inside Line)
#50 of 136 odd couple? (steve_ HOST) by hpmctorque Dec 25, 2008 (9:30 am)
Well, yes and no. Yes, if you consider the Nano to be the polar opposite of Ferrari cars. No, if you consider that since Tata now owns Jaguar and Land Rover, why not a tie up with Ferrari? Replies to this message: steve_ (Dec 25, 2008 10:07 am)
#51 of 136 Re: odd couple? (steve_ HOST) [hpmctorque] by steve_ HOST Dec 25, 2008 (10:07 am)
Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 25, 2008 9:30 am) It's just going to strike a lot of people funny to see a Tata sponsor logo on a Ferrari. But we used to laugh at VW "lawnmower" bugs and tinny Datsuns too. You have to wonder how well Tata can afford the tie-in though. Tata may have to invest $1billion in Land Rover and Jaguar
#52 of 136 by maltafly Mar 19, 2009 (4:59 pm)
You guys have never tried a Tata before. They are one of the strongest vehicles I know. In Malta (europe) they are the 6th most sold vehicles on the road and they have a 0 death record so far since 1992. I am sure the Nano is no less than the other models Tata offers.
#53 of 136 Finally! by hpmctorque Mar 25, 2009 (2:06 am)
After numerous delays, the Nano will go on sale April 9. Since the Nano will initially be sold in India, and is not headed for our shores, it can only be of interest to Americans from a historical perspective, as it has the potential for becoming the Model T and VW Beetle of the developing world. Nevertheless, here's AutoWeek's test of this car for the masses... "Nice Tata: Driving the Nano four-seater is OK, but slow" By BOB RUPANI (Mr. Rupani is executive editor for Auto India) "We're finally getting to drive the Tata Nano, and the first thing that impresses is the space. Four adults can sit comfortably in the simple and spartan interior. The seats are thin and flat but surprisingly comfortable. Plastic and fabric quality is better than expected, though the carpet looks cheap. To get to the trunk, the rear seat has to be folded forward. Access to the engine is even more difficult; a panel secured with six wing nuts needs to be removed to access the tiny two-cylinder engine. Start up the Nano and you immediately know it's powered by a rear-mounted engine. The all-aluminum twin uses a single balance shaft, yet it is not very smooth or refined and sounds a bit like a lawn mower. The passenger compartment has been well isolated from the sound but not from all of the harshness. Even at idle, you can feel the engine rocking, and under hard acceleration the vibrations become quite evident. Thankfully, the four-speed gearbox is precise, light and pleasing. Push the accelerator and the Nano launches with all the grace it can muster, but with redline fuel cutoff coming at a somewhat-low 5,600 rpm, you have to upshift quickly to keep up momentum. Tata says that unlike other cars, the benchmark for the Nano was not the acceleration figure of 0 to 62 mph, but 0 to 38 mph because it will primarily be used as an urban vehicle. In our tests, 38 mph arrived in about 10 seconds, but getting to 62 mph took nearly 33 seconds. Top speed is limited to 65 mph. Though not impressive at the test track, in the dense and slow-moving traffic of Pune, India (the city where Tata Motors is based), the Nano acquits itself well, feeling more than adequate and well qualified to play the role of an urban city commuter. The short turning circle makes maneuvering and parking easy. Even without any power assist, the steering is reasonably light because of the limited weight over the front wheels, and playing nip and tuck in city traffic is easy. But the tall body and narrow track produces considerable body roll, made even more pronounced by the flat, nonbolstered seats. Throw the Nano through curves and though it leans like the Tower of Pisa, it retains its grip with barely any understeer, and a slight oversteer if you try really hard to induce it. Tata engineers have tried to address the car's engine-heavy rearward weight bias by mounting the spare tire and fuel tank up front under the hood, and putting heavy items such as the battery under the driver's seat and the jack under the passenger's seat. The Nano's rear tires are also wider than the front tires. The Nano has drum brakes on all four wheels, and these do a fairly good job of arresting momentum. The ride on less-than-perfect Indian roads felt a little firm without being uncomfortable. Other impressive features: good air conditioning, which comes on upper-trim models. Power windows and door locks are reserved for the top-of-the-line model. Though prices have yet to be announced, the most expensive Nano is expected to retail for $3,500. Of course, the promise of a car for 100,000 rupees ($2,200) has meant that the designers and engineers have had to look for every possible compromise and some innovative solutions. The next-cheapest car in India is more than $2,000 more expensive, and the only vehicle cheaper is a motorcycle. For Europe (and potentially for the United States if the car makes it to our shores), the Nano Europa (when it arrives in 2011) will have a bigger, 934-cc, 60-hp three-cylinder engine and have a top speed of 95 mph, a five-speed automatic, a wider track, disc brakes, ABS, stability control, improved driving dynamics and ride, better equipment and a finished interior, along with driver and passenger airbags. It will also be slightly longer and comply with all safety and crash-test standards, while still being the cheapest car in the world at less than $ 5,000. Add an estimated fuel economy of at least 67 mpg, and the Nano Europa may be right for many an economy buyer's shopping list. SPECIFICATIONS (Indian market version): Engine: RWD, rear engine, inline two cylinder Bore: 73.5 mm Stroke: 73.5 mm Displacement: 624cc Camshaft: SOHC Valves: two per cylinder Max power: 35 hp at 5,250 rpm Max torque: 35.4 lb-ft 2,500 to 4,000 rpm Top speed: 65 mph 0 to 37 mph: 10.12 seconds 0 to 62 mph: 32.6 seconds Front suspension: McPherson strut Rear suspension: Independent with semi trailing arm Brakes: Drums front and rear, 7.2 inches Overall length: 124 inches Width: 64.8 inches Height: 66.1 inches Wheelbase: 89.2 inches Turning circle diameter: 26.4 feet Curb weight: 1,397 pounds Fuel tank: 3.9 gallons" Replies to this message: steve_ (Mar 25, 2009 7:15 am)