Autoblog

Half of America's young willing to try Chinese cars, 41% would consider Indian [w/poll]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:01:00 EST

Foreign manufacturers have had a strong presence in the United States' new car market for decades now. Germany, Japan and Korea produce vehicles that many consumers find as appealing as our domestic offerings, if not more so. Those countries have had lots of time to win favor among American consumers, while other countries have yet to make a dent on our car-buying radar. That could change more quickly than one might think, however, as a new study by GfK Automotive shows that younger car shoppers are willing to explore cars made in countries other than the ones previously mentioned.

According to GfK, only 38 percent of U.S. car shoppers are open to a Chinese brand. That figure drops to 30 percent for a vehicle from an Indian manufacturer. However, looking at younger consumers, 52 percent of Gen Y car shoppers say they would be willing to take a look at a Chinese automobile, and 41 percent would consider an Indian-made vehicle. Conversely, America's Baby Boomers are less likely to give a chance to vehicle made in India or China, with 22 and 29 percent (respectively) giving those countries a thumbs up.

Still, those are more promising figures for Chinese and Indian automakers than we might've expected. Built and priced correctly and given the right marketing, China and India could have a waiting group of shoppers ready to take a chance on a new face in America's car park. Click past the jump to read the full press release and let us know if you think you'd be ready to go Chinese or Indian in our poll below.

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Continue reading Half of America's young willing to try Chinese cars, 41% would consider Indian [w/poll]

Half of America's young willing to try Chinese cars, 41% would consider Indian [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Tata selects first 100,000 Nano buyers from lotto

Chris Shunk — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Tata

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.

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Tata Motors sales plunge by nearly half

Dan Roth — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Etc., Earnings/Financials, India, Tata

Even when you (intend to) make the cheapest brand-new car in the world, you can't escape an economic downturn. Global jitters and year-end hemming and hawing have conspired to slice Tata's December sales figures nearly in half compared to a year ago. December is a traditionally slow month for auto sales as buyers try to put off expenditures until the next year (when incentives are more attractive on existing stock), but even accounting for the bargain hunters, this is a major drop.

Everyone, everywhere is down, and Tata Motors stock has taken a beating thanks to the economy and costly external issues like plant troubles. That said, recent interest rate cuts have buoyed company shares in hopes that the Nano (not to mention Saint CarBuyer) will soon arrive, and if nothing else, they still have the Indica's longevity to celebrate.

Gallery: Tato Nano - Live from Geneva

[Source: Reuters]

Tata Motors sales plunge by nearly half originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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