Tata Nano Poised to Take Over the World at 56 MPG

[SVOboy]

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:

1. One Big Reason Not to Trust “Real World” Fuel Economy Testing
2. Toyota Takes Over the World…But is it a Good Thing?
3. Toyota Yaris Diesel Wins World MPG Marathon with 70.49 MPG

More...

[Matt Herring]

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.

[igo]

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.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

The pollution looks to be pretty decent, too:

That gives it not only the highest fuel rating of any other Indian petrol-powered car but also the lowest CO2 figure at 101 gm/km.

(From Auto Blog Green.)

[captainslug]

Video review here

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

[Drive Stick]

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.

[MetroMPG]

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...).

[Drive Stick]

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.

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by Drive Stick

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.

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.

[captainslug]

Originally Posted by Drive Stick

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?

It could have been much much uglier.