REPORT: Tata selects first 100,000 Nano buyers from lotto
Tata Nano - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Interest in the world's most affordable new car has been very strong, as Tata Motors reportedly received 206,000 applications for the $2,500 Nano. Due to production constraints, Tata ran a lottery to determine which of the applicants would receive one of the first 100,000 Nanos, and the Indian automaker is informing the "winners" in person.
The first 100,000 customers eligible to receive a Nano will get their car by the end of 2010, with deliveries beginning in July. The first allotment of 100,000 Nanos will be price protected to remain consistent with Tata's press release in March. Of the 106,000 Tata customers left out in the cold (for now) 51,000 chose not to keep their names in contention for future Nano lotteries. Those customers will be offered discounts on other Tata products.
The remaining 55,000 customers that are still in contention for future Nano lotteries are also being offered discounts. Since Tata collected a "booking fee" for the right to enter the lottery, that money will collect 8.5% interest if the Nano is delivered withing two years, and 8.75% if it takes longer than two years.
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Telegraph India]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MajorGeek 10:46AM (6/24/2009)
LOL, love the use of "winners" in quotes :)
Reply
Smegley 10:49AM (6/24/2009)
I wonder what the lease payments will be if I trade in a 2007 3 series on one of these
Reply
Roger 10:58AM (6/24/2009)
You'll probably get like 5 nanos for one 3-series.
Reply
Taglane 12:22PM (6/24/2009)
I think really you could get like 13 if the bimmer was priced at 34K.
Sad but interesting.
Allen 11:05AM (6/24/2009)
Sounds like a problem that any automaker would welcome.
Reply
Taglane 12:22PM (6/24/2009)
Then is it really a problem?
*Things that make you go hmmm*
entnn 11:37AM (6/24/2009)
This is one lottery I thank God I didn't win.
Reply
steve-o 11:43AM (6/24/2009)
"I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR!"
Reply
akboss302 12:43PM (6/24/2009)
Alloys, body-coloured bumpers and tinted windows? Now that's just getting carried away...
Reply
Redeemed 12:46PM (6/24/2009)
Remember, this is a car for poor people in third world markets. Sure, not very good by western standards but it isn't pretending to be anything besides basic transportation.
I think we all need to do a reality check and not be so critical. I'm thankful that I don't live in a country where buying a Nano is my only option.
Reply
Mark R 12:57PM (6/24/2009)
Redeemed - you are exactly correct and thank you for the reminder. Tata's original quest for this car is to get the families in India, who are currently piling onto a motorcycle, into a safer mode of transportation.
Jake 12:52PM (6/24/2009)
Each one comes with a toy inside.
Kind of like a box of cracker-jacks. Anyway, if you have to explain a joke...
Reply
Kattleox 1:06PM (6/24/2009)
Funny, i'd figure it would be the other way around.
You find em in boxes of cracker jacks or in happy meals...rats I explained it. RUINED.
Wally 7:59PM (6/24/2009)
That thing begs for some 20" wheels......
Reply
dm789 2:31AM (6/25/2009)
And jack it up so look like a mini monster truck? wow that would be interesting.
ssona1978 7:55AM (7/21/2009)
Tata Nano passes European Crash Testing.So Cars running in developed countries are TOYS as per your taught.Try to accept innovations from Worlds Emerging Market.
Reply