Tata Nano Poised to Take Over the World at 56 MPG
 

The Tata Nano finally released commercially in India today. It’s been a long wait for the little car, which has been upset by protests, among other things. For about a year now people have been excited to see how this little car would change the automotive world by getting a whole new class of drivers [...]Related posts:

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Neat little car but how do we get it here? With the Big 3 rolling on flat tires what are the odds the government is going to allow a $2000 car to come to America's "Free Market" to further deflate the tires of the Big 3?

Would love to see it here, but when's it going to happen, if ever?

EDIT:
Here's a nugget I pulled out of a auto biz article interview with Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata

Q: What about international plans?

A: We have planned to market the car elsewhere, in developing markets like Africa and south-east Asia. But, we felt that, going by the demand, the product could also find some interest in Europe, the UK and USA. The product would come with some changes but at attractive prices. There's a niche now that didn't exist earlier. But, it will have to wait for a while for us to develop a car compliant with the emission and safety norms. The car is designed to meet European standards. Some additional air bags need to be put and then the car has to go through the validation process which will take some time. We plan to be in Europe in 2011. The Nano will need some redesigning for the US market which will take three years.

I was just going to make this thread. Oh, yes. If everyone in india buys a nano that will really make gas prices go high.

I head 62mpg / Top Speed 65mph on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je_PGsNNaiY

I really think the car is amazing. They did everything possible to keep costs low. It didn't even come with a rear hatch because making an extra door would raise costs. Skip smart car this IS the ultimate city car. I wouldn't even care if I eneded up with a dent or scratch from accidently bumping something on a parallel park.

Hi,

The pollution looks to be pretty decent, too:

(From Auto Blog Green.)

Video review here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZitve3SUw

I can't believe that guy took that corner so fast on those tiny shopping cart wheels and didn't flip the thing? haha

You get what you pay for, this isn't some miracle - this is just a tin can with plastic lining and a go-kart engine.

While the mileage is appreciable, the utter lack of comfort really makes it nearly as useless as a motorcycle in my opinion. I'll stick with what I've got, rather spend more on gas and step out of my car with out a back ache and know that if I'm in a crash I might actually live.

Consider that its target market primarily consists of people who now ride inexpensive motorcycles. Results in a very different perspective of the vehicle (comfort, safety...).

You are totally right, motorcycle buyers have a different goal in mind. I just don't think this vehicle is going to be as big of a hit as they are hoping it will be, if you want a bike you didn't want a car.

If you buy a car, you were probably looking to stretch your money as far as it could go and get the most for your buck. With (I'm guessing here) an added 400 lbs of safety and emissions equipment to make this vehicle legal to purchase and drive on American roads, the cost will be doubled. The mileage will be decreased rather significantly which means a larger engine would be necessary to obtain similar mileage results. Thus the entire chassis would have to be redesigned costing their R&D dept. more than they want to spend to send it here anyway.

The quote Matt posted about the spokesperson saying an estimated 3 years before it's ready to come here basically confirms my belief that the entire vehicle would need to be redesigned in order to be sold here.

One lasp gripe, why can't anybody build a good looking fuel efficient vehicle? Seriously does every compact car that's even remotely good on gas have to look like a stone on wheels?

I'm happy to see cheap cars being built that are good on gas, I just don't see that car being a big hit anywhere other than in India, or the UK where people welcome this sort of alternative transportation.

Made in India.

Currently only available (for order) in India.

Not sure if these six (count 'em six) Indian motorcycle riders would agree with your statement.;)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_otfwl2zc6Q...motorcycle.png

It could have been much much uglier.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...WK_mg_2179.jpg

Well I tell ya. I prefer cars without electric this and electric that, seats that weigh as much as I do and engines that can't be heard. I don't need navigation systems and I-pod interfaces.

I like a tactile drive. I like to be able to feel the road and be part of the driving experience, not isolated from it. Maybe, just maybe, if we re-discover that a drive can be fun we don't need all the options that we now think need to be standard nowadays. As for safety, if they can make Smart "safe", pretty much any vehicle can be made "safe".

So they can make more money off the higher priced good looking cars that more people will buy, while meeting govt mandates for fleet fuel economy.

Nano being prepped for U.S. market:

Cheap car from India could cost $8,000 in US- Yahoo! Autos Article Page

It'll be interesting to see what the US version looks like when it comes over here. I bet it loses a bunch of MPG to where a tiny turbo 4 could keep up.

Still, I'll be interested to see what comes of this.

Pshhh, just wait to see how many people will fit in/on the nano

Add a roof rack and some outer steps and handrails and im willing to bet 10 easy


might even have room to fit a motorbike on top

That dude is THE MAYAN!!!! :eek: :thumbup: :rolleyes:

The Nano is certainly a revolution in the making in India and I think being able to produce something with these specs for 2-3000 USD is pretty cool. And why pick on it's safety and other things thru your eyes which tuned in to the Western World and it's "glitter". Our fellow ecomodder captured the huge step ahead with the Nano in the photograph posted of the family on a motorcycle. I would say the Nano would probably save a lot of people's lives, people that ride 2-3 wheeled contraptions on India's roads. And plus, as a added benefit, it gets good mileage for it's size and low emissions. Those same 2-3 wheel contraptions are famous for their polluting capabilities.

I like it. I wish I could just get one NOW like it is.

So the adaption for the US-Market basically consists of adding $5000 worth of lead to it? :eek: