For all the hype the Chevy Volt and Tesla Roadster get in America, it’s the diminutive Tata Nano that might have the most significant impact on the global car market.
Today, Tata Motors announced a starting price of 100,000 rupees, or $1,980, for the Nano when it goes on sale in India in July. Tata wanted the car to be an affordable alternative to a motorcycle. At this price, mission accomplished.
What will Indian families get for their money? The easiest answer is a safer driving experience for the family than a motorcycle or moped.
The Nano comes in three trims: Standard, CX and LX. The Standard model epitomizes “bare bones” — the model has no power steering, no airbags, no air conditioning or heat, no radio — it doesn’t even come with powered brakes.
The CX model gets you heat, A/C, powered brakes and a fold-down rear seat. The high-end LX gives you full fabric seats, power windows and locks, a front cupholder and a rear spoiler.
All Nanos are powered by a rear-mounted 33-hp two-cylinder engine that powers the rear wheels. A four-speed manual is standard; an automatic transmission isn’t available yet. Top speed is about 65 mph, and the car should achieve 55.5 mpg.
Production will be limited to 50,000 at first, but once a dedicated Nano factory is finished by the end of 2009, production should increase to half a million. Tata wants to eventually sell a million Nanos a year in India alone.
This is great for India, but will America ever see this car? Maybe. According to MSNBC, Tata is designing a version of the Nano that meets U.S. safety and emissions standards and should be ready for launch in about three years.
At the 2009 Geneva auto show, Tata unveiled the Nano Europa, a European-envisioned Nano featuring a bigger engine, an automatic transmission, alloy wheels and a slightly longer wheelbase. It will reportedly meet Europe’s strict safety standards.
The Europa might be the model we get in the U.S., but even with America’s re-acquaintance with thrift, the Nano might be too Spartan a choice for most Americans.
Tata’s Nano to hit India’s streets in July (MSNBC)
The Tata Nano Arrives (Tata)
FAQs
Tata Nano Variants
Nano Petrol price in India ranges between ₹ 2.05 Lakh and ₹ 2.50 Lakh. Nano CNG price ranges between ₹ 2.40 Lakh and ₹ 2.97 Lakh.
How much does a Tata Nano cost? ›
The current Tata Nano costs as little as 236,447 rupees, or about $3,400. Well, you guys, pour one out for the Tata Nano. The world's cheapest car is all but dead. According to Bloomberg, Tata Motors built one single Nano in June 2018.
What makes Nano so cheap? ›
The Tata Nano became the cheapest car in the world because of the frugal engineering and thrifty innovation of the designers at TATA Motors. They made a car that fit function in a small frame, and despite the low price, safety was not compromised.
What is the cheapest car in the world Tata? ›
Price. Announced as the most affordable production car in the world, Tata aimed for a price of one lakh rupees, or ₹100,000, which was approximately $1,334.48 US at the time. Only the very first customers were able to purchase the car at that price, and as of 2017, the price for the basic Nano started around ₹ 215,000.
Can I buy a new Tata Nano? ›
Tata has stopped the production of Tata Nano GenX.
Is Tata Nano still on sale? ›
Company officials had, however, hinted that production and sales of the Nano would stop from April 2020 as Tata Motors has no plans to invest further.
What is the failure of Nano car? ›
Reports of Nano cars catching fire raised significant safety concerns, eroding consumer confidence and contributing to negative publicity. Ineffective Marketing and Positioning: The Nano's marketing failed to counter the negative connotations of being a "cheap" car, hindering its ability to stand out in the market.
Is it worth buying Nano? ›
From a product standpoint, the Nano is quite the nimble city car with plenty of cabin space, compact proportions, the right amount of pulling power and an efficient engine. Just what you would need as your first car or a second car in the house. As an auto enthusiast, it's a matter of pride to have one in the garage.
What are the disadvantages of nano car? ›
Safety: The Nano's lightweight construction and basic safety features mean that it has a lower safety rating compared to other cars in its class. 4. Build quality: Some early models of the Tata Nano had issues with build quality and reliability, which led to a negative reputation and decreased demand for the car.
What is the cheapest small car in Tata? ›
The lowest priced Tata cars under 6 Lakh in India are Tata Tigor at Rs. 6.3 Lakh, Tata Tiago at Rs. 5.65 Lakh and Tata Punch at Rs. 6.13 Lakh.
The price of Tata cars in India starts from ₹ 5.65 Lakh for the Tiago while the most expensive Tata car in India one is the Safari with a price of ₹ 27.34 Lakh. The newest model in the Tata line-up is the Altroz Racer with a price tag of ₹ 9.49 - 10.99 Lakh.
How much is a nano car in Japan? ›
The Tata Nano's price is estimated around 220,000 yen. In comparison, the price of the cheapest car in Japan is around 600,000 yen. Tata is presently focusing on the local demand, thought it has drafted plans to take this fantastic innovation to other countries.
