REPORT: First Tata Nano delivered to customer in Mumbai [w/VIDEO]
Tato Nano – Click above for high-res image gallery
The first customer to get a Tata Nano has taken delivery of the world's cheapest car today. Tata Motors delivered the car to a Mr. Ashok Raghunath Vichare of Mumbai who paid just 100,000 rupees ($2,053 U.S.) for the car. The Nano went on sale earlier this year and has been a source of endless discussion since it was announced in early 2008. While incredibly cheap, other numbers for the tiny car are also impressive: the Automotive Research Association of India has rated the Nano at 56 miles-per-gallon U.S., and the car produces emissions of just 101 grams of CO2 per km.
The Indian market is only the first step for the Nano – A Euro-spec model recently passed European crash tests and the car is still scheduled to come to the U.S. at some point in the not-too-distant future. Click on the gallery below or check out a video of the first Nano handover ceremony after the jump.
Gallery: Tata Nano launch close-ups
[Source: Tata Motors]
PRESS RELEASE
Tata Motors delivers first Tata Nano in the country in Mumbai
Mumbai, July 17, 2009: Tata Motors is pleased to announce that Mr. Ashok Raghunath Vichare of Mumbai has become the first customer in India of the Tata Nano. Mr. Vichare received his choice, the Tata Nano LX (Lunar Silver), at the hands of the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, at the company's dealership, Concorde Motors, today.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tata said, "I hope the Tata Nano will bring motoring pleasure to those who will be buying their first car as also those who currently own cars but want a modern, contemporary, emission-friendly city car."
Along with Mr. Vichare, two other customers, Mr. Ashish Balakrishnan (Tata Nano LX – Sunshine Yellow) and Kores India Limited (Tata Nano LX – Lunar Silver), also received their cars today.
As planned, Tata Motors has commenced deliveries of the Tata Nano this month to different towns and cities of the country. Despatches to dealerships have begun from the Pantnagar plant, where the car is being produced, in accordance with schedules informed to customers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MeiSooHaityu 3:40PM (7/17/2009)
I bet Ralph Nader would love to write about this car, especially back in the day :)
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:05PM (7/17/2009)
101g/km is less than 56mpg US. The Prius is sub-100g/km and it is only rated at 51mpg in US testing.
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Nateb123 4:59PM (7/17/2009)
You haven't really alluded to your logic but I'll guess that you are assuming that grams of CO2 is indicative of efficiency. The problem is these are two vastly different sized cars with different markets and the Nano, while sporting high mileage due to being a featherweight, is still being marketed as a cheap car in India where most vehicles are still have carburetors This means its cheapness is partially due to being low tech so it's not as clean as a Prius.
BIG 4:06PM (7/17/2009)
A glorified golf cart.
Just what we need on the roads with 18 wheelers!
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Fatima 2:32AM (7/18/2009)
Its not the US spec, in India you barely go above 30mph in the cities. So there are no 18 wheelers to plow you down.
creigs9 4:19PM (7/17/2009)
I love Mr. Tata's body language. Looks like he had better things to do. Love the car it's perfect for India.
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thatguy69 4:21PM (7/17/2009)
For those having trouble with the audio, the new owner states:
"Pls to be handing the papers for the car and give me the keys for the same.
Oh, and pls send me teh codez."
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TigerMil 4:22PM (7/17/2009)
This will sell like hotcakes if it's priced less than $5K in the US. Even if it's just a city car!!
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Sean 5:15PM (7/17/2009)
The car in this configuration will never reach America. It is too slow, a Kia Rio would be speedy in comparison. No concept of safety. An aluminum can would be safer.
While it might be perfect for India, it just isn't suitable for the American market. You would have to be brave indeed to pass a semi in one of these.
BillySharps 7:36PM (7/17/2009)
You apparently didn't see the report about the Nano passing Euro crash tests.
Randy915 4:39PM (7/17/2009)
This thing is just hideoussssss.
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alexacoon 4:42PM (7/17/2009)
It does get a little tiring hearing this is too small, hasn't anyone noticed better than 9 out of 10 cars in the city/suburbs don't have even a single passenger? As a second car this would be ideal though I think it looks silly with such short doors,with the drivers seat pushed all the way back for a 6 footer judging from the pictures it looks like you would be looking out the rear door window or the door pillar at worst if you turned you head.
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snowtarded 9:32PM (7/28/2009)
I'm 6'3" and have had an issue with door pillars for years. You get used to it.
Commander Cool 5:04PM (7/17/2009)
I personally can't wait for these to hit the streets here in the US. Every parade will have a line of Shriners driving them.
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carthik 5:57PM (7/17/2009)
This car was designed from ground up to safely transport middle class Indian families... in cities where they use two wheelers resulting in fatalities in case of a fall even at low speeds. It was not designed for the world, India is a country of a billion people and deserves a car like this. It will provide safe motoring for thousands of families...
Despite it's cost, it did pass European crash tests which is actually a pretty remarkable achievement.
@ why not ls2ls7 - g/km refers to the grams of CO2 emitted at the tail pipe per KM. And mpg refers to miles traveled per gallon of fuel.
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oregonmike 7:51PM (7/17/2009)
most of ppl on this forum writes-off this car without seeing it. May be passing EURO test open their eyes. Nano is real and Nano is here. You like it or not, it is going to change the world travels for sure!
Can't wait for eNano (electric only), hybrid and diesel versions.
P.V. 8:59PM (7/17/2009)
I absolutely agree. Give credit where it is due; unlike Chinese small car makers, TATA has made a city car with a decent interior and without cheaply/obviously cutting corners, great safety, and the target price point.
Sure, Hyundai now makes such stalwarts as the Sonata, Genesis, and Veracruz, but they had to start with the Excel, and only afterwards could loyalty, reputation, and quality build up; don't write off the Nano's chances in the US just yet, especially as the Nano is actually highly competent.
Aloysius Vampa 2:22PM (7/18/2009)
@ why not ls2ls7 - g/km refers to the grams of CO2 emitted at the tail pipe per KM. And mpg refers to miles traveled per gallon of fuel.
I'm sure he understands that.
Jerry Hightower 8:30PM (7/17/2009)
Is it just my trifocals or is the windshield wiper larger than the windshield?
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P.V. 8:59PM (7/17/2009)
Ack! My comment disappeared!
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