The Auto Writer

Tata Nano: The World’s Cheapest Car

Getting something done in India can be much different than in the United States. In the case of the Tata Nano, the 100,000-rupee ($2,005) people’s car that will soon begin to serve the Indian masses, the all new model has gone through its own set of challenges.

Announced in January 2008, Tata Motors confirmed that the first of its four seat mini cars would roll out in the fourth quarter of the year. But, unrest and opposition in the eastern state of West Bengal forced the automaker to rethink its plans, eventually moving production to a new plant located in the western state of Gujarat.

Production Is Just Weeks Away

Amazingly, even considering its brief downtime, Tata will still be able to launch production on March 23rd, just fourteen months after first announcing its plans. Obviously the laws in India to build this type of vehicle are nowhere near as stringent in the US, allowing Tata to quickly design, build and roll out the Nano in a process that would take many years here in the states.

Tata says that the Nano will begin to appear in showrooms across India during the first week in April. Bookings (orders) will commence at that time with Tata outlining what those plans will be when the Nano is launched. Tata Motors says that it has the capacity to build 250,000 Nanos at its new factory, but can double that later on.

A Growing Consumer Base In A Large Country

Two other factories within India may also be tapped to build the Nano, suggesting that capacity may push past one million units annually.  India is the second largest country in the world with more than 1.2 billion citizens. Its auto industry is young with many Indians relying on busses, trains and even motorcycles to get the family around.

Originally priced at $2500, the Nano’s new, lower sticker price reflects changes in the exchange rate between US and Indian currency. The Tata Nano is billed as the world’s cheapest car. The company has set up a website exclusively to handle Tata Nano inquiries and interest.

Source: Tata Motors Limited