GM mulling ultra-inexpensive Tata Nano competitor for Asia?
2010 Chevy Spark - Click for high-res image gallery
What will the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, do to the auto market? Bring friends. We're hearing that General Motors could be planning a Tata Nano competitor that would go on sale in Asia for under $4,000. GM's new executive vice president for international operations, Nick Reilly, told The Wall Street Journal that offering an ultra-cheap car the low-cost space is of interest to the automaker, but only in certain markets.
The manufacturer would likely be SAIC-GM-Wuling Automotive Co., which is made up, in part, of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Reilly made his announcement in Brazil, though, which is GM's third largest market. So we'll at least keep a tiny ear out for a cheap Latin American model, too.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark
[Source: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Santosh Tiwari 7:06PM (8/17/2009)
I think it is a wise idea for GM to explore ultra-cheap cars especially in developing/emerging markets.
They got the talent/engineering expertise; but they don't have the management capable of delivering on their promise.
My fingers are crossed.
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UCJR 8:08PM (8/17/2009)
Holy h**l, it's a cotent, reasonable post. Them's scarce around these parts nowadays.
But I agree... GM products (or GM as an organization) has always been innovative and tech-forward, but sound engineering and design is ALWAYS undermined by shoddy overlying business and accounting.
MajorGeek 8:12PM (8/17/2009)
It was, then you decided to comment on it ;)
"Holy h**l, it's a cotent, reasonable post. Them's scarce around these parts nowadays."
hmmwv 10:47AM (8/18/2009)
Wuling has plenty of experience in making simple and cheap vehicles, so I think GM should have no problem hitting that 4 grand price point. The problem is that there are half dozen passenger cars selling for about 4.5k in China, so GM really needs to differentiate their product by promoting their safety and reliability record.
Here is Wuling's current lineup.http://www.sgmw.com.cn/en/showroom/index.html
Dspeed 8:00PM (8/17/2009)
They could always just export all the unsold Pontiac G3 / Chevy Aveos lying around. I'm almost serious.
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Taglane 8:41PM (8/17/2009)
crap someone beat me to it.
jv2k 8:54PM (8/17/2009)
It's not like g3s are selling and although they are subpar for their class(although if you factor in how cheap you can get them for they aren't that bad) they would be top of the line in the dirt cheap third world country future model t market.
narutouzumaki16 4:31PM (8/18/2009)
ahahahahah they already sell aveos in india so no problem. and i was wonderin bout this car koz i just saw it on the cover of the latest autocar india. the weird part is that they say that this car will coexist with the spark currently being sold here so i am curious about gms plans in india for this car. anyone got any answers?
MajorGeek 8:05PM (8/17/2009)
Always wonder why they don't focus on a small, affordable hybrid\electric. Considering the small size and lack of options, I would think these type of cars would be perfect. Yes, I know, not at 4k, but you gotta start somewhere. I can see the junkyards filling up with these "small" cheapie cars. The biggest thing keeping me away from the Volt is the 40k price tag.
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7egend 9:02PM (8/17/2009)
How about starting with inexpensive cars in the country that just bailed you out GM? USA.
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jv2k 9:04PM (8/17/2009)
How bout you learn about the segment that is being talked about before commenting.
The nano and it's GM counterpart wouldn't sell.
longbowmkii 11:32PM (8/17/2009)
@jv2k
would it not? some of the best international cheap cars sold well here too. for example the beetle, corolla (earlier ones specifically) MkI golf, ford escort, civics etc...america's automotive roots are based in the extremely cheap bare bones car, the model T. not saying theres a big market here in america, but make it tough cheap and reliable and people will buy it. itd need the right marketing, emphasize the durability, youll never market a ~6k car as cool or stylish. another idea would be to aim it to historically used car buyers.
its not like the economy is flooded with cash right now. a 6k car that got 40+ mpg might just be a hit.
jv2k 2:43AM (8/18/2009)
The tata nano costs $2000 has no amenities that have become standard in modern cars and has an interior that looks like this
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/tata-nano/full/#17
DayShifter 8:44AM (8/18/2009)
Think about it, how well do you think the Nano would sell in this country, probably as good as the piece of crap Yugo!! "We" (USA) don't want these cars....the only reason we would consider buying them is because the oil industry has us by the balls and will start squeezing again soon. GM is doing fine, they are looking at a market where the application would sell.
mr.ed 10:50PM (8/17/2009)
No way they can make that for four large with their overhead and that trim level. Remember that every vehicle sold overseas burns the fuel we're entitled to as the world's Auntie.
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Tagbert 12:42AM (8/18/2009)
it will not be the vehicle pictured. AB just pulled a picture of the Spark as the lowest priced upcoming GM vehicle. If they do this, it will make the Spark look like an Audi by comparison.
mr.ed 8:35AM (8/18/2009)
The "fancy" Nano has some upgraded style bits that rapidly increase the price but the basic car is simple to make and light. And, it's sorta cute, like Stan Mott's Cyclops of yore. Will GM be able to do the same? Stay tuned.
P.V. 8:18PM (8/18/2009)
I actually sort of agree with the comment on reselling the super-overstock of Aveos and G3s.
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P.V. 8:19PM (8/18/2009)
Again, disappeared...
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