Tata Nano to officially debut on March 23, sales start in April
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano
After a slew of problems and delays – not the least of which was a huge amount of opposition from local farmers in West Bengal where the first assembly plant was being built – Tata Motors has finally announced that production of their Nano city car will begin on March 23 at the alternate facility in Gurajat. Sales will officially begin the first week in April as dealerships receive their first allotments of what is sure to become an instantly popular vehicle.
Much of the hype surrounding the Nano is related to its targeted low price, which at 100,000 rupees (just under $2,000 in U.S. dollars at current exchange rates) would make Tata's Nano the cheapest automobile in the world. Of course, that's without standard air conditioning or painted bumpers and such, but it will come with a 33-horsepower, 623cc two-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels. Thanks for the tip, Gustavo!
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Tata Motors via Motor Tips]
PRESS RELEASE:
Tata Motors to launch Nano car on March 23
New Delhi - Indian auto major Tata Motors announced Thursday that it would be launching the Nano, said to be the world's cheapest car, in Mumbai on March 23 and order books would be open from April. A prototype of the car, which is expected to be priced around 100,000 rupees (about 1,983 dollars), was unveiled at an auto exposition in the Indian capital in January 2008 and was earlier scheduled to roll out by October 2008.
But protests by farmers whose land was acquired for the main plant in the eastern West Bengal state delayed the commercial launch.
The factory was relocated to Gujarat state in the west of the country.
"The car will be on display at Tata Motors dealerships from the first week of April 2009. Bookings will commence in the second week of April," a Tata Motors release said.
The booking process and the time lag for delivery of the car would be announced on March 23, said Debasis Ray, Tata Motors' head of corporate communications.
The Tata Nano had evoked "unprecedented interest" and its website had recorded 30 million hits in the past year, the statement said.
Tata Motors is part of Tata Group, one of India's largest business conglomerates, comprising 96 companies in seven different sectors with a market capitalization of 49 billion dollars.
Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mr_Pie 2:07PM (2/26/2009)
i just realized how much it looks like the mitsubishi i
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Jared 10:47PM (2/26/2009)
Can't beat it for $2k.
already RWD... Anyone thinking motorcycle motor? Just don't wreck it...
danotoriousb 2:08PM (2/26/2009)
Its a real piece but at 2000 bucks....hell I might buy one just to use as a go kart...
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Denis 2:13PM (2/26/2009)
AT LAST!!!! A PRODUCTION CYCLOPS. THANKS TATA
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Brendan 2:27PM (2/26/2009)
I really want one of these. It's a shame we can't buy one as an in town/neighborhood vehicle. It's a modern day 2CV.
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SOXSR9808 2:14PM (2/26/2009)
For 2K why not buy one then throw a real engine for some sh*ts and giggles
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hokieman09 2:20PM (2/26/2009)
cause you could buy a good used car for that and throw an engine that could actually have some sort of size and power to it
SOXSR9808 2:50PM (2/26/2009)
Read the comment by HotRodzNKustoms that is what I meant by it. It wasnt mean to be an actual car to use and rive every day. It was for "sh*ts and giggles. Name 1 used car that would be as fun as that besides the smart car?
chconline 6:03PM (2/26/2009)
Let's put a VTEC in there.
VTEC JUST KICKED IN YO!!!
No really. Where's my K20Z3???
:P
Raz 6:47AM (2/27/2009)
BNR26 anyone??
duo 3:55PM (2/28/2009)
It's RB26DETT. BNR is the GT-R's chassis code.
HotRodzNKustoms 2:41PM (2/26/2009)
I can't wait until somebody throws a 'busa engine in one!
And if Tata can build a RWD family sedan for $2k why can't other automakers give us that for 10 times that price? (Yes I know the answer. It's a joke.)
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jinsei888 2:47PM (2/26/2009)
simply out of curiosity, do the crash test ratings match up with the Smart? That would be fantastic if it did...
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GT 2:59PM (2/26/2009)
Well you got to know, its selling in India, not America. There hardly any SUVs that will run into this thing. As well, India's roads are far more congested, so the thing you are going to crash into the most is either another Tata Nano or an autorigsha.
And its a hella more safer for you and your family to be in a Nano then to have them pile on you while driving a scooter.
Brendan 3:02PM (2/26/2009)
I don't think the crash tests would be anywhere in the same league. The Smart was engineered to crash well, against full size cars and has a modern, comprehensive safety package. This car has few things beyond a padded dash and seatbelts. They even eliminated the opening rear hatch idea tyo save $$ on the additional stampings. If used here (USA) it would have to be classified differently than regular cars or be brought up to regular car standards.
It would be great if it was safe, as is...
chconline 6:02PM (2/26/2009)
Here's the thing: If it needs to pass US safety standards, then it will cost twice as much and weigh twice as much. Good luck putting that 33hp motor to work...
As aforementioned, in India you won't be going down the highway at 80mph. This car probably won't even reach that fast. It's safer than getting your whole family on some two wheeled vehicle, and you'll probably be going 15km/h in the city and 40 in rural roads...
A.R. 12:30AM (2/27/2009)
I agree. It's not the size of the other vehicles that will not do much damage to the tata nano, it's the low speeds of the other vehicles because of the poor roads and traffic congestion. Your speed estimates are close to accurate. I've been to different parts of India many times and there is no way anyone is doing 80, let alone 60mph (in kmph of course) over there because it's not possible.
There are a ton of SUVs on Indian roads, but the reason the Nano can survive is because those SUVs will all be doing under 30mph at most.
doctoroctos 3:09PM (2/26/2009)
I just put 2 orders in.
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RicoChet 3:20PM (2/26/2009)
Hell I'd buy one just as a neighborhood transportation vehicle or for when its raining... the rest of the time I'll ride my motorbike.
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1970Dodge 3:36PM (2/26/2009)
Rollin' on 12's..... Nothing cooler....hahaha.
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