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We don’t have to tell you that the Pixel, Tata Motors’ new concept car, made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The latest is that the Pixel will get a production version soon.
The world wants to see the smallest ever car and Tata is at the Geneva event with an electric version of the Nano. Sure Tata is no global automobile manufacturing giant but, it does want to capture the world with its electronically powered vehicles where Tata Nano EV will make a beginning. Set to go on sale in Europe next year as a 20102 model, the Nano EV will use the batteries which also power its Tata Indica Vista EV. Overall, the Nano EV headed to Europe will be 20 centimeters longer and it will sport better suspension along with anti-lock brakes. The Nano EV will probably have a 0 to 60km/h dash timing of less than 10 seconds and an anticipated range of 160kilometres.
Tata Nano impressesed with its inexpensive price tag in India which made it cheapest car in the world, but over the other side of the globe, in the US, Nano will not be able to stick to its cost effectiveness. The obvious reason is that the Nano will need to undergo a number of changes to become drivable on American roads — like we mentioned last time. It will require a longer front end and even the engine will have to be upgraded to match the emission standards. On the inside, Tata Nano will require airbags, changed seats, sturdier roofing and an improved steering wheel.
The car did meet the crash test standards in Europe but the specifications are slightly different in the US. Tata Nano which has already been showcased at the Detroit Auto Show costs a modest $2500 in India but with all these changes incorporated, it will hit the $8,000 mark or may be even more.
There is no news the one of the most hyped vehicle on CarBlog is Tata Nano. For thoose looking for more news regarding availability, markets and prices, we just learned that the mini-car is going to be available in the US by 2011. Priced somewhere close to $2,300, the Nano features all the basic necessities of motoring, including a 624 cc petrol engine with 33 horsepower, three exterior color choices, and a folding rear seat. Of course that won’t get you AC or other “luxuries” like assisted braking or fog lights, but it’s still a good deal if you only need it to get to work. Of course Tata is working on getting emitions and crash standards at accepted levels for the US, but for now Tata Nano is officially going on sale in India to 100,000 owners that will be selected via a lotery. [via cnn.com]
After all sorts of drawbacks in the last 18 months, world’s lowest priced car— Tata Nano, has been officially launched in India. Finally! Priced at 1 Lakh, or 100,000 Indian Rupees ($2,000), the company expects to produce some 350,000 units, but for 2009 only 100,000 will meet their new owners. As for how they’ll reach their new owners … Tata taking registrations for an application fee of Rs. 300 ($6), with a deposit costing Rs. 3000 ($60). Although the car doesn’t meed safety requirements for most countries— they plan an improved version of the Nano for Europe though, it’s a very good solution for regular Indian people. [via WCF]
With the success of the Nano, the Indians from Tata are planning to “infest” the auto industry with their cheap vehicles. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying these are low quality cars, lacking in security or design. No, you can really see that Tata is progessing. And to be honest somehow, I really like their new PR1MA concept. With a little bit of help from the Italians from Pinifarina, the four-door sedan has a fluid design with roudned forms. Trying to take on leaders like Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, we can’t see it succeed because it has a niche of its own. No price range or assurance that PR1MA will ever make into production, but we still like it. And although I love the stylish exhaust, a piece of advice for Tata. How about bigger wheels (wider, too) and a some redesigned front lights? Make it a bit more futuristic guys … [via AutoMotto]
Indian farmers from Singur, in West Bengal, have started violent protests against the government and the Tata Nano plant that was supposed to be built on their lands. Some 1,000 acres have been “taken” from farmers which where offered compensations, but not all of them agreed with that proposal, leaving Tata with a hard decision to take.
“What has concerned us is the violence, the disruptions, that has led us to be concerned about the safety of our employees, our equipment and investment, and of the viability of the process,” Chairman Ratan Tata told reporters in Kolkata, the state’s capital, on Friday. “If anybody is under the impression that because we have made this very large investment of 1,500 crore rupees ($350 million), that we would not move, then they are wrong, because we would move to protect our people,” he said.
Even though such a protest could hurt the image India has to potential investors. If the outcome turns out to be negative, that could mean that big car manufacturers will think twice before entering that market (if they will).
We shall find out if Tata has a plan B for their $350 million investment in West Bengal. They’ll have to choose fast this time.
via Automotive News
These are the first pictures of the Tata Nano. On the assembly line, of course. Production is rolling at the Tata Motors Singur plant and the first batch of Nano cars will be ready by September 15 with their market launch in October as originally planned. As you read the engines for the new Nano are built by German engineering company, FEV, who’s working on a 800cc turbo CRDI version, which is going to be the world’s smallest engine with common rail technology. At the same time, another French company, MDI, is working on compressed air technology.
What will happen when Tata Nano goes mainstream? Does anybody think about motorizing the planet and what it means to have more and more car emissions? Dealers are expecting it … no matter what!
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