Tata shooting for 80,000 Nanos by March of 2010, diesel in 2011
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano
The troubles that Tata Motors has had in getting its Nano microcar off the ground have been well documented. After a series of protests turned violent over a land dispute between local farmers in West Bengal and the Indian automaker,, production was moved to Tata's Pantnagar facility. Despite the massive setback (Tata had almost completed construction of the main plant before moving), the Indian automaker reportedly believes that it can assemble 80,000 Nanos by March of 2010. By that time, a second plant in Sanand should be ready to go, and that would quickly become the main facility for the inexpensive car (though Pantnagar would still supplement the larger operation).
What's next for the ongoing saga that is The World's Cheapest Car? By the end of 2011, the Nano's will get a diesel engine option in addition to the standard 33-horsepower 625 cc twin-cylinder gas unit that will be powering all Nanos at launch. Also on the future menu will be such sybaritic options as air conditioning and an automatic gearbox. Thanks for the tip, Shrawan!
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Indian Autos Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jv2k 7:03PM (1/22/2009)
Everytime I see these tiny cars I think of one of these
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/227866433_374da77b34.jpg?v=0
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/li/little-tikes-cosy-coupe-ii-toy-car.jpg
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airswingman 1:01AM (1/23/2009)
yeh agree with u lol
cant imagine the safety rating.
wow this is car from the world largest democratic country.....
Patrick 7:13PM (1/22/2009)
Is a Pantnagar the same as an anklebiter?
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CarbonBlack 7:14PM (1/22/2009)
It would be so cool to drop a more powerful engine in this!
Think Honda K-Series (RSX, Civic, ETC).
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13enS 7:19PM (1/22/2009)
Like when people used to drop Chevy 350's into Datsuns?
Jakub 7:34PM (1/22/2009)
You mean like when someone dropped a Hayabusa engine in a Smart, although this thing would topple over right away.
chconline 7:40PM (1/22/2009)
K20Z3 + Tata Nano = Car with front wheels in the air :P
Let's say it works and we got a 197hp engine in around ~1350lbs car. 6.85 lb/hp = Bye bye GT-R!
Turall 7:17PM (1/22/2009)
That's alot of Tatas...
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Enok 7:23PM (1/22/2009)
I'm waiting for the Jaguar or Land Rover version, with a massaging seat and heated steering wheel.
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Torrent 7:30PM (1/22/2009)
How would this help the earth?
firstplace 10:20PM (1/22/2009)
the same way stealing software does.
SammySam 7:25PM (1/22/2009)
goshdamn!! thats a little ass car! lmao!!
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TomdeTomTom 7:26PM (1/22/2009)
It's pretty endearing actually. I'm sure it's a breeze to fix, and considering the total cost of the car it can have several bad parts and still be a bargain. It reminds me of the base model Japanese cars on the eve of the 1980's (80, 81). Simple, bland, but a great way to learn about cars cheaply. And yes, I know it's market isn't us here, but still....
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gearhead318 4:47PM (1/26/2009)
ugly
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gearhead18 3:40AM (2/08/2009)
Wow, just throw a "3" in my name and run eh? Figured it was only at a matter of time before I ran into someone with a similar name.
Conundrum 8:49PM (1/22/2009)
At this pace, the Nano will be the size of the Honda Accord, full of features, and cost $30,000 each in about 20 years. It is like a law of automotive engineering. Biggger, fancier, and pricier.
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TomdeTomTom 2:42PM (1/26/2009)
Actually with inflation $30,000 in 20 years would be a bargain...
I'm with you on the Accord thing though. I remember as late as 2007 I would see new Accords on sale in the LA Times Ads for under 20K, if only just. The new model is priced out of the mid-size buyers range.
TurboPanzer 8:58PM (1/22/2009)
This car belongs to a bowling alley.
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P.V. 9:21PM (1/22/2009)
I'm skeptical: not because of the car but because of the recession in general and because of TATA's current declining sales (it's following the industry trend). I hope TATA achieves its goal, but I'm not holding my breath on it.
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Ross 10:35PM (1/22/2009)
Man, that many Tatas...Giving the Playboy mansion a run for it's money!
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