Filed under: Economy, Euro, India, Tata
Tata already planning 2nd-gen Nano for Europe
Click to view the Tata Nano in our hi-res image gallery
Tata's cut-price Nano budget car isn't even on the market, and already the Indian automaker is planning its successor. In an interview with German magazine Focus, Tata's Girish Wagh revealed that the second-generation Nano will be developed in four years from now and designed for an assault on the European market.
In order to market in Europe, the next Nano will need to comply with the stringent Euro 5 emissions and safety standards, and Tata will target three liters per 100km, down from the current Nano's already tiny-sipping 5L/km. Before the next Nano is ready for the European market, Tata will focus on its domestic market for two-three years, after which it will look at expanding into Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. As we reported earlier, Tata plans to avail itself of Fiat's dealer network in exchange for Jaguar-derived platforms for the upcoming Alfa Romeo 169 sedan.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew Tanasescu 1:40PM (2/12/2008)
I love this car and all, but has anyone seen crash test videos for this car? If I lived in Europe, id consider buying this car, but is it really worth the risk? hopefully this thing holds up like one of those smart cars. Ive never seen a video of one of these being crashed, but im very curious to see what that would look like.
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A&W 1:49PM (2/12/2008)
When they make this car to a higher standard it will probably loose the price advantage. :( But maybe they can invent some ingenius ways of improving crash test and emissions results while keeping the price super-low.
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tanooki2003 1:52PM (2/12/2008)
I really wish Tata the best of success in marketing, engineering, and improving quality to keep competition at it's heels.
And now prepare for lots of postings from flaming retards who have nothing better to do with their time but to criticize, judge, and make totally ignorant comments on the Nano.
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Chopper Dave 3:34PM (2/12/2008)
Even better: the inevitable, "This would never make it in the US Tata is stoopid why isn't it rwd!" comments from people who (still) have no clue what the nano actually is.
Andy 1:52PM (2/12/2008)
This car still provides more protection than a scooter or motorcycle and is priced within range of those vehicles.
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Andrew Tanasescu 1:57PM (2/12/2008)
Thats actually a great way to look at it! Thanks!
NarutoRamen 1:57PM (2/12/2008)
Don't worry Andrew, I'm sure they'll have to meet all of EU's regulations because they wouldn't be able to sell those cars there without them.
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spw 2:01PM (2/12/2008)
5l/100km? woa. If thats true, it has horrible mpg for tiny car with tiny engine
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DP 2:26PM (2/12/2008)
Isn't that like 60 mpg?
How non-horrible is the mpg of your car?
Andrew Tanasescu 2:27PM (2/12/2008)
find me a car for $2500 thats gets 48mpg and seats 4 and I will agree with you.
caddy dave 3:02PM (2/12/2008)
"And now prepare for lots of postings from flaming retards who have nothing better to do with their time but to criticize, judge, and make totally ignorant comments on the Nano."
It's ok for tanooki to post his flaming retarded criticaly, judgemental, totally ignorant comments when anything GM or USA is the subject, but any subject that is met with his approval is taboo for us.
I don't think so.
Hey tanooki. Here's your sign!
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compy386 3:29PM (2/12/2008)
lol spw made a typo commenting about the typo. The post states "5L/km" which is about .5 mpg. It's probably 5L/100km.
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Dan 3:52PM (2/12/2008)
Is this car that life-alteringly good? I've seen so many pieces of news about this little car its driving me mad.
In the words of Clarkson: "More powah!"
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bob 4:19PM (2/12/2008)
What's struck me as interesting about the Nano is not so much the car itself--though it is significant for its home market and elsewhere. The broader question: If they can do this for $2,500, what can they do for $5,000, for $7,500, for $9,000? Can they build a car for $7,500-$9,000 that doesn't embarrass itself when compared to the Yaris, Accent, Aveo, etc.?
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Zane 4:53PM (2/12/2008)
5L/km? That's worse than a HUMVEE!
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Carnut 6:13PM (2/12/2008)
Let's get this straight first -it's 5L/100km. Whoever said it's 5L/km? 5L/100km = 1.32 Gallons / 62 miles = 47 mpg - not shabby for a 'cost-optimized' solution.
How many new cars sold at $2500 even in India have 5L/100km? (don't answer -there aren't any). There are lots of 80-100cc motorbikes that do 1L/100km or thereabouts, but then they are not the same thing as a car.
Further, it's likely that this fuel economy is measured on a European drive schedule (UDC/EUDC), as that's what Indian OEMs tend to follow. European drive schedule is akin to city-type driving, where vehicles tend to get worse fuel economy (too many starts/stops, low-speed driving and idling are not good for fuel economy).
The vehicle currently meets safety and emissions regs for Indian market, as it is meant to be sold to Indian customers. Regardless of how its actual safety and emissions turn out to be, it will be a marked improvement over comparable means of transportation (by comparable, I mean whatever you can get for $2500 today). When you compare, you have to equate price and then look at other numbers.
Now what Tata are announcing is that they will use the Nano concept of designing a car to put forward a car of similar size and attributes that meet European regulations - in terms of safety, emissions and performance. This will be costlier than $2500, yet markedly improved than whatever is available for comparable price in Europe - you can bet.
No responsible OEM worth their salt would be allowed to put something out in the marketplace which does not
meet applicable regulations - and that applies to every country the cars are sold in.
I don't know what Tata's plans are for US, but the same principles apply - if they were to put a car in the market, it may be the price leader in the US, but will comply with all applicable FMVSS and EPA standards. On the other hand, they may choose not to bring it to the US markets, because guess what - growth in markets (and profitability) is all overseas. US and Europe and Japan are stagnant, and not very appealing (as everyone is going after those markets).
Give credit where credit is due. Tata have a hit on their hands which will do very well for the emerging markets, and can make serious inroads into used car markets in the developed world, if they choose to take it there.
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Rick Cavaretti 11:23PM (2/12/2008)
They plan on using Fiat's dealer network to sell in Europe?? Isn't that contrary to Fiat's business plan? They already special in small cars. The Tata would be competition.
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Rick Cavaretti 11:25PM (2/12/2008)
I meant 'specialize'