Tata Nano may be branded a Fiat in overseas markets
Click above to view more images of the Tata Nano
Fiat and Tata already have a joint venture to distribute commercial vehicles. If they can do the big stuff, why not the little stuff? Tata and Fiat are looking at an agreement to sell the Tata Nano outside of India in markets where Fiat has a strong presence.
If the deal goes through, and once the car is upgraded to meet Western standards, Tata can take advantage of the Fiat name, marketing, and dealer network. Fiat would probably have a big seller on its hands -- and a slice of every one -- since the car is still expected to maintain a healthy price advantage even after it gets beefed up.
The Tata, however, is not expected to come to the U.S. as a Fiat. Ratan Tata said, ""We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence." Frankly, America isn't one of those places yet. With Tata making such a big splash over here with Jaguar, they probably wouldn't need Fiat to help the brand. Still, the thought of a Fiat 500 and a Nano snuggling in the corner of a dealership would be too cute to miss. Thanks for the tip, Yash!
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Economic Times via The Earth Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 2:05PM (7/24/2008)
lol...Just when you think the 500 was microscopic enough....
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Dazza 3:14PM (7/24/2008)
The 500 is hardly "microscopic." In any case, Fiat's own forthcoming Topolino will be smaller.
Torrent 3:04PM (7/24/2008)
What's that going to be: like a Moped?
Torrent 3:36PM (7/24/2008)
It's called exaggeration. I mean it's hard to get smaller than a 500 while still being practical.
Jp 2:10PM (7/24/2008)
Look at those tires!! HA! I'v seen deep dish pizza thicker than the width of those tires. HA again!
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Mike Lee 2:22PM (7/24/2008)
Actually the tires are edible...just like a pizza...just in case the car breaks-down and you have to wait an ungodly long time for a tow truck to come get it (since Onstar will NOT be an option. It adds too much weight and cuts down on the fuel mileage).
P.V. 2:22PM (7/24/2008)
LOL! +1
How would this fare against their new 500 though? I'm afraid the cute retro factor would allow the 500 to cannibalize Nano sales, even though the Nano has 2 extra doors (but is missing a side-view mirror on the passenger side).
HotRodzNKustoms 2:10PM (7/24/2008)
Too bad Fiat is a pretty healthy company now because a couple years ago we could have said "Tata Fiat"
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arturo 2:11PM (7/24/2008)
best looking car ever.
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Torrent 2:39PM (7/24/2008)
ROFL
DesiAuto 2:50PM (7/24/2008)
"best looking car ever"
for lot of people, it will look even better as economy tanks.
:-)
Brent 2:14PM (7/24/2008)
"The Tata, however, is not expected to come to the U.S. as a Fiat. "
What?
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Dude 2:13PM (7/24/2008)
Wouldn't a Nano that met Western crash standards be a Fiat 500?
Once you add a 1,000lbs. of safety equipment and a bigger engine to move the extra weight; you end up with the same small car everyone else already sells. This doesn't make sense. I'm thinking slow news day. Earth Times as a source? Come on.
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arturo 2:14PM (7/24/2008)
just playing. was this car unveil on the new pokemon movie? i thought this was the final evolution of picachu..
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Colin Smith 2:14PM (7/24/2008)
Possibly...with bigger wheels, perhaps - and Fiat's not-yet-released twin engine. The Tata motor is perhaps too anaemic for a world market, and not especially economical. If it is cheap enough though there are plenty of people who would buy it for basic work/shopping transportation. Interesting story.
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Mike Lee 2:16PM (7/24/2008)
That's funny, but not a bad idea. The name "Fiat" would lend some credibility to the car and possibly quelch fears concerning reliability. But I'll bet the price of the car will jump at least $5,000 just because it's called a Fiat and not a Tata!
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Flea 4:00PM (7/24/2008)
oh come on. FIAT has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years, but it's not quite a premium brand. The ONLY car that costs something like 600$ more than it should is the 500 because its accessories.
TriShield 2:37PM (7/24/2008)
They can keep that thing over in emerging markets where it belongs.
What big splash has Tata made here with Jaguar?
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apearlman 2:44PM (7/24/2008)
Tata bought Jaguar from Ford.
Which raises the obvious question. Couldn't Tata put a leaping cat hood ornament on that thing and market it as a Jag? I bet the parking valet would put it right up front.
Carl 1:59PM (8/06/2008)
Jingoist.