Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Tata may let other automakers build Nano]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-tata-may-let-other-automakers-build-nano/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-tata-may-let-other-automakers-build-nano/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/report-tata-may-let-other-automakers-build-nano/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano has been in production since July, and during that time, Tata Motors has reportedly sold over 7,500 copies of its $2,500 car. The Indian automaker has plenty of potential customers for its inexpensive little econo-gem, but production capacity is another matter altogether. Tata is producing the Nano with existing plant floor capacity until its new, 250,000-unit/year factory comes online at the end of March 2010.

But Tata is thinking of ways to get more Nanos to market - and it's not just limiting its options to models emblazoned with a circle T emblem. Reuters reports that Tata is considering licensing the Nano to other automakers, with or without Tata badging. Tata Vice Chairman Ravi Kant reportedly mentioned at an awards function that the company would allow micro-assembly sites to build their own Nano within India, adding, "We call it Nano, they don't have to."

Tata hasn't announced whether it actually has any partners for its vehicle sharing proposition, but if demand for the inexpensive car continues to hold strong, we suspect there will be some takers. This plan makes perfect sense for Tata because the automaker should be able to amortize some of the car's development costs by sharing its design with others. And when you're dealing with a $2,500 MSRP, every penny counts.


Gallery: Tata Nano


[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Tata may let other automakers build Nano originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>22500 car2500Car500 car500Carnanoravi kantRaviKantReuterstatatata motorstata nanoTataMotorsTataNanoThu, 05 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Tata selects first 100,000 Nano buyers from lotto]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/report-tata-selects-first-100-000-nano-buyers-from-lotto/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/report-tata-selects-first-100-000-nano-buyers-from-lotto/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/report-tata-selects-first-100-000-nano-buyers-from-lotto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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]

REPORT: Tata selects first 100,000 Nano buyers from lotto originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 lakh1 lakh car1Lakh1LakhCar2500 car2500CarindiaIndia carIndia carsIndiaCarIndiaCarsIndian carsIndianCarslotteryNanoTata Motorstata nanoTataMotorsTataNanoWed, 24 Jun 2009 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[CAR drives Tata Nano, goes 60 mph in 17 seconds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/car-drives-tata-nano-goes-60-mph-in-17-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/car-drives-tata-nano-goes-60-mph-in-17-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/car-drives-tata-nano-goes-60-mph-in-17-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the Tata Nano

The Tata Nano's claim to fame is its budget $2,500 price tag. You'd have trouble picking up a 1995 Honda Civic with 140,000 miles on it for that price. But what do you get for the price of a lawn tractor? How about a 624cc 33-hp motor mated to a four-speed manual transmission, for starters. That potent combo will propel any lucky Nano driver from 0-60 in 17 seconds. Add some groceries and a passenger (or a slight uphill grade) and we're guessing you'll never see 60 mph in any time frame.

CAR Magazine in the UK recently became one of the first publications in the world to drive the Nano and did mention that it has a compliant ride, which is quite a feat considering the MSRP. The Nano also has options like a radio and air conditioning, but if you ever want to go faster than 50, we'd advise you skip the freon. Tata is looking to remedy this "performance" problems with a more powerful gasoline powerplant mated to a five-speed automatic, but for now the Nano will only manage to hit 60 in the time it takes to heat up a hot dog in your 1,200-watt microwave. That 13-year-old Honda is starting to sound pretty good right about now.

Gallery: Tata Nano


[Source: CAR Magazine via eGMCarTech]

CAR drives Tata Nano, goes 60 mph in 17 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0-60 17 seconds0-6017Seconds2500 car2500Cartata nanoTataNanoTue, 09 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[HItting $2,500 difficult for Tata's Nano as steel prices rise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/hitting-2-500-difficult-for-tatas-nano-as-steel-prices-rise/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/hitting-2-500-difficult-for-tatas-nano-as-steel-prices-rise/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/hitting-2-500-difficult-for-tatas-nano-as-steel-prices-rise/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Tata Nano exudes frugality, and when you're trying to build a capable vehicle for a paltry $2,500, that's not exactly unexpected. Unfortunately for the Indian automaker, the quickly rising cost of steel may thwart plans to hit the magic price-point. The price of steel has risen by 50 percent in less than a year, and even though the little Nano is only 1,300 lbs, when you're making an econobox on the mega-cheap, every penny counts. Like US automakers have done in the past, Tata is looking to its suppliers to shoulder some of the financial burden. Amazingly, the suppliers are okay with that, provided that Tata does its share.

Even with concessions from suppliers, it's still up in the air as to whether Tata will achieve its lofty target. It appears using a nice round price as a selling point for a vehicle that's a year away wasn't such a good idea after all.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

HItting $2,500 difficult for Tata's Nano as steel prices rise originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2500 car2500Carsteel pricesSteelPricestata nanoTataNanoTue, 08 Jul 2008 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata's $2,500 car to be unveiled next month]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/tatas-2-500-car-to-be-unveiled-next-month/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/tatas-2-500-car-to-be-unveiled-next-month/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/tatas-2-500-car-to-be-unveiled-next-month/#commentsFiled under:

Tata Motors is expected become the winning bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover in the coming weeks. While the Indian automaker could soon be selling us expensive British luxury cars and SUVs, it's also hard at work developing the world's least expensive car. The cheap car under development is expected to sell for around 100,000 rupees or around $2,500 USD, and we've just learned it will be unveiled early next month at the Auto Expo in New Delhi.

Unfortunately, that's one auto show not on our itinerary to attend, so we'll have to report of its debut from afar. The car is expected have an engine in the rear powering the rear wheels, four doors and all the creature comforts of an outhouse, we'd presume. While it's likely the car will be exported to other markets outside of India when it goes on sale later in 2008, don't expect to see it in the U.S. as we expect it would fail both our emissions and safety standards with flying colors. (Tata Indica pictured for reference)

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Tata's $2,500 car to be unveiled next month originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$2500 car$2500Car2500 car2500Cartata cheap cartata motorsTataCheapCarTataMotorsworld's cheapest carWorld'sCheapestCarThu, 20 Dec 2007 16:41:00 EST