Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Renault planning a Tata Nano rival. Again.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/renault-planning-a-tata-nano-rival-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/renault-planning-a-tata-nano-rival-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/renault-planning-a-tata-nano-rival-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

renault

Four years ago, Renault confirmed that it would partner with India's Bajaj Auto to develop a rival to the Tata Nano. At the time, as everyone waited for the Tata Nano to arrive, you could have used a Richter scale to measure the tremors the executive suites of any automaker with an interest in the low end of emerging markets. Then the Nano, still the cheapest car in the world, didn't sell so well - at the end of last year its sales were just six percent of its most conservative projections - and everyone seemed content to let Tata spend the money to figure out if there really was a market for the cheapest car in the world.

Renault believes there is, kind of. Automotive News Europe reports that it will partner with Nissan to build two low-priced cars for emerging markets, one for €3,000 ($3,888 U.S.) and another for €5,000 ($6,400 U.S.). The price of the least expensive offering is nearly $1,400 more than a Nano, which costs $2,500, and that can't be considered a small sum in comparison. But one of the hindsight knocks on the Nano has been that even in emerging markets buyers don't want a car whose biggest lure is that it is cheap; they'd rather give their aspirations a bit more of a workout.

Renault's offerings are scheduled to hit the non-Western market in late 2014, which is coincidentally the same year that will see the return of the budget-minded and emerging-market-specific Datsun nameplate. They'll be built in Renault facilities in Chennai, India, with no mention made of Bajaj this time around.

Renault planning a Tata Nano rival. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datsunemerging marketsnanonissanrenaulttataWed, 28 Nov 2012 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20387310/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/28/renault-planning-a-tata-nano-rival-again/20387310/article-detail.xml 20387310 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/renault_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/renault.jpg <![CDATA[Redesigned Tata Nano to arrive in US wearing price tag under $10k]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/redesigned-tata-nano-to-arrive-in-u-s-wearing-price-tag-under/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/redesigned-tata-nano-to-arrive-in-u-s-wearing-price-tag-under/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/redesigned-tata-nano-to-arrive-in-u-s-wearing-price-tag-under/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tata Megapixel concept live on show floor in Geneva

Tata's much ballyhooed Nano isn't exactly selling as expected in its home market of India, especially after the well-publicized fires engulfing the several examples of the world's cheapest car. Despite that, the head of Tata Group, Ratan Tata, says his company remains intent on bringing an updated sub-$10,000 Nano to the States, and he intends to do so in three years.

While the Indian market gets a bare-bones Nano powered by a two-cylinder, 37-horsepower engine, Tata unsurprisingly says the US version will have a larger engine, power steering and traction control.

"The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars," Tata tells Automotive News. "But everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal."

With the US economy still slowly recovering, a car for under $10k could have plenty of appeal. But the Indian automaker has several obstacles to overcome first, not the least of which is building a dealer network for the Nano. Tata owns Jaguar and Land Rover, but that group's CEO, Andy Goss, says there has been no discussion about using those dealers to distribute the Nano.

Perhaps the updated US-bound Nano will be more like the Nano Megapixel concept (pictured above) we saw at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. That car had a longer, 138-inch wheelbase and a larger 325cc engine supplemented by two electric motors. It's safe to assume that if Tata wants to keep costs down so that it can offer the car below $10,000, the next Nano won't get a hybrid powertrain like the Megapixel, but perhaps it will pick up some of the car's size and styling cues.

Redesigned Tata Nano to arrive in US wearing price tag under $10k originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2015 tata nanonanonano+tatananotataratan tatatatatata nanotata nano united statestata nano ustata+nano+2015tata+nano+usatatanano2015tatananousaworlds cheapest carMon, 15 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20350106/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/15/redesigned-tata-nano-to-arrive-in-u-s-wearing-price-tag-under/20350106/article-detail.xml 20350106 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-tata-mega-pixel-live-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-tata-mega-pixel-live-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/ratan-tata-hopes-to-restart-nano-sales-after-fiery-start-w-vide/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/ratan-tata-hopes-to-restart-nano-sales-after-fiery-start-w-vide/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/ratan-tata-hopes-to-restart-nano-sales-after-fiery-start-w-vide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ratan Tata and Nano

When India's Tata introduced the Nano in 2009 at about $2,500, it was a hot seller. It was expected to set the world on fire with demand for cheap wheels. In fact, a year after its rollout, the Nano almost did set the world on fire after at least three units burned to a crisp. Sales plummeted to a record low of 509 in November, 2010.

Tata Chairman Ratan Tata has run the company for 20 years and plans to retire at the end of this year. But before he leaves the company, he hopes to revive sales of the little car he helped develop.

"The Nano is something I would love to make successful because I don't think it's exploited its full potential right now," Tata said in an interview with Bloomberg TV India. "There has to be another push to make Nano what it can be."

Extended warranties for current Nano owners, as well as promises that the fires were only isolated incidents, were the first step at restoring confidence in the Nano. A new version of the Nano came out in November with a larger engine, and July sales totaled 5,485. In all of last year it sold 74,527. By comparison, Suzuki sold 491,389 examples of its competing Maruti brand.

In the video below, Ratan Tata talks a bit about the company's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover and of his upcoming retirement.

Continue reading Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video]

Ratan Tata hopes to restart Nano sales after fiery start [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiajaguarland rovernanoratan tatatatatata nanoFri, 24 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20307503/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/24/ratan-tata-hopes-to-restart-nano-sales-after-fiery-start-w-vide/20307503/article-detail.xml 20307503 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/ratan-tata-interview-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/ratan-tata-interview-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Researchers developing washless coating for cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/#commentsFiled under:


We could have easily filed this under "Too Good to Be True" or "Snake Oil," but it sounds legit, and certainly has our attention. Researchers in The Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have developed a self-healing vehicle coating, meaning that one day, you may not have to wash your car.

Catarina Esteves of the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e and her team claims to have invented a solution to the problem of minor scrapes. Apparently the nano-capsule technology features special chemical groups that are able to re-orient themselves in the event that a surface with this compound is scratched.

The potential automotive use for this technology is obvious; it allows for the development of coatings that are not only water-resistant, but scratch resistant. A minor rain shower is all it would take to keep the car clean.

The implementation of this technology is not limited to the automotive world - it can also be employed on contact lenses, smartphone screens, and solar panels.

The benefit it could provide to the aviation industry would be two-fold. A plane employing this coating would not only need less frequent cleaning, but the inability for algae and dirt to build up means that the aircraft would allow for less wind resistance, resoling in more fuel efficient flying.

Researchers developing washless coating for cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftcar washnanosmartphonesolartechnologyThu, 26 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20284650/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/20284650/article-detail.xml 20284650 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/jettawash01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/jettawash01.jpg <![CDATA[Jay Leno's Garage releases Bollywood-inspired Tata Nano episode]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/jay-lenos-garage-releases-bollywood-inspired-tata-nano-episode/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/jay-lenos-garage-releases-bollywood-inspired-tata-nano-episode/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/jay-lenos-garage-releases-bollywood-inspired-tata-nano-episode/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jay Leno's Garage Tata Nano

Jay Leno has finally turned out the Tata Nano episode of Jay Leno's Garage. As it turns out, the television personality actually found a way to purchase the tiny machine for himself, and the show follows the car all the way down the production line and to the Big Dog Garage in Los Angeles. Leno rolled out a whole passel of Bollywood dancers to mark the occasion and even abandoned his traditional denim uniform for an elegant Indian suit. Unfortunately, the Nano isn't legal to operate on U.S. roads, so the comedian had to come up with a place to play with his new toy.

The Los Angeles Police Department was more than happy to offer Leno a little time on their test track to stretch the Nano's legs. Despite the small engine, the car seems plenty entertaining to drive, though its suspension is clearly set up to handle the rough streets and byways of the Indian countryside. Check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading Jay Leno's Garage releases Bollywood-inspired Tata Nano episode

Jay Leno's Garage releases Bollywood-inspired Tata Nano episode originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 tata nanobollywoodjay lenojay lenos garagelenonanotatatata nanovideoTue, 29 May 2012 19:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20246870/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/29/jay-lenos-garage-releases-bollywood-inspired-tata-nano-episode/20246870/article-detail.xml 20246870 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/jay-lenos-garage-tata-nano-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/jay-lenos-garage-tata-nano-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tata Nano to rub shoulders with priceless iron in Jay Leno's Garage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/tata-nano-to-rub-shoulders-with-priceless-iron-in-jay-lenos-gar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/tata-nano-to-rub-shoulders-with-priceless-iron-in-jay-lenos-gar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/tata-nano-to-rub-shoulders-with-priceless-iron-in-jay-lenos-gar/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jay Leno filming with Tata Nano

It looks as if Jay Leno has welcomed a Tata Nano to his Big Dog Garage recently. The comedian even went so far as to don traditional Indian garb and hire a troop of Bollywood dancers to mark the occasion.

Details are scarce at the moment, but judging from the photos that have shown up on Leno's Facebook page, it looks as if we'll see the machine on an episode of "Jay Leno's Garage" sometime soon. The car boasts a white paint scheme with the Indian tri-color laid over the rear doors and hood. Whether or not Leno actually bought the machine remains unclear.

The comedian took the time to bow for the cameras and place his hands together in the "Namaskar" greeting. We look forward to seeing the full episode. In the meantime, check out the behind-the-scenes photos in the gallery.

Tata Nano to rub shoulders with priceless iron in Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big dog garagebollywoodjay lenojay lenos garagenanotatatata nanoWed, 16 May 2012 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20239398/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/tata-nano-to-rub-shoulders-with-priceless-iron-in-jay-lenos-gar/20239398/article-detail.xml 20239398 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-leno-nano-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-leno-nano-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tata recalling all pre-2012 Nano models over bad starter]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/tata-recalling-all-pre-2012-nano-models-over-bad-starter/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/tata-recalling-all-pre-2012-nano-models-over-bad-starter/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/tata-recalling-all-pre-2012-nano-models-over-bad-starter/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tata Nano

Tata Motors has issued a recall for all Nano models manufactured between July 2009 and October 2011. The company will replace the vehicles' starter motors free of charge. And while the Indian automaker has declined to say just how many vehicles will be affected by the recall, local news reports have said as many as 145,000 Nano vehicles will receive a new starter. Tata says the recall has been underway for some time, noting it has already replaced somewhere around 50,000 starters to date. The entire recall program is expected to cost Tata around $20.8 million at current conversion rates.

The automaker has released an updated version of the Nano called the Nano 2012. The revised model is not included in the recall.

Tata hasn't seen the sort of sales success the company had hoped for with the world's least expensive new car. From labor unrest to perception issues to a wave of fires and safety upgrades, the Nano has had a hard row to hoe since birth.

Tata recalling all pre-2012 Nano models over bad starter originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nanonano recalltatatata motorstata nanotata nano recallWed, 28 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20135798/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/tata-recalling-all-pre-2012-nano-models-over-bad-starter/20135798/article-detail.xml 20135798 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/tata-nano-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/tata-nano-628.jpg <![CDATA[First 2012 Tata Nano commercial released, it's "Insane, bro!"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/27/first-2012-tata-nano-commercial-released-its-insane-bro/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/27/first-2012-tata-nano-commercial-released-its-insane-bro/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/27/first-2012-tata-nano-commercial-released-its-insane-bro/#commentsFiled under: ,



Tata is discovering, painfully, that perhaps it went a little too cheap when it designed the world's cheapest car. The Nano has been selling at about one-twentieth of company projections, which led to upgrades such as more power, more room, an anti-roll bar, power brakes and better steering.

The first commercial showing off its new attitude has been released. It's understated by what we think of as Indian standards, but it does include the line, "Insane, bro!" You can enjoy it and the new Nano after the jump.

Continue reading First 2012 Tata Nano commercial released, it's "Insane, bro!"

First 2012 Tata Nano commercial released, it's "Insane, bro!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 nano2012 tata nanocommercialnanotata commercialtata nanotata nano adtata nano commercialSun, 27 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20114145/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/27/first-2012-tata-nano-commercial-released-its-insane-bro/20114145/article-detail.xml 20114145 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tatananonewad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tatananonewad.jpg <![CDATA[Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/tata-nano-gets-upgrades-looks-to-beat-sluggish-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/tata-nano-gets-upgrades-looks-to-beat-sluggish-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/tata-nano-gets-upgrades-looks-to-beat-sluggish-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tata Nano color options

Tata is out to battle lukewarm demand for the company's Nano with a range of improvements to the world's least-expensive new vehicle. Engineers have upped the Nano's power and fuel efficiency while decreasing emissions at the same time. The vehicle's 624-cc engine now produces a whopping 37.5 horsepower, enough to help the machine tackle up to 30 percent road grades and reach a max speed of 65 mph. The company has also reworked the suspension on the Nano with a new anti-roll bar in the front as well as a redesigned steering mechanism.

More importantly, the Nano Standard now comes with power-assisted brakes. That nicety was only available on higher trims in the past. Inside, the Nano now wears new materials available in three colors: beige, black or gray, though buyers may now select from a range of 10 different exterior paints.

Tata is likely desperate to do something to improve the vehicle's sales. While the company originally projected that buyers would take home between 20,000 and 25,000 Nano vehicles a month, September only saw 1,200 units leave dealer lots. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales

Tata Nano gets upgrades, looks to beat sluggish sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 tata nanonanotatatata motorstata nanoworlds cheapest carMon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20111264/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/21/tata-nano-gets-upgrades-looks-to-beat-sluggish-sales/20111264/article-detail.xml 20111264 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tata-nano-color-options-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tata-nano-color-options-628.jpg <![CDATA[Is the Tata Nano a failure?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/12/is-the-tata-nano-a-failure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/12/is-the-tata-nano-a-failure/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/12/is-the-tata-nano-a-failure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tata Nano on fire

When the Indian conglomerate Tata announced the Nano in 2008, it promised an automotive revolution equivalent to the Model T. The $2,200 Nano would be priced at half the cost of its competition, and single-handedly make four-wheeled transportation ubiquitous in India. Well, that was the plan, anyway.

ForeignPolicy.com is reporting that some three years later the Nano hasn't even begun to live up to its billing. While Tata projected monthly sales of 20,000-25,000 cars, in August the factory shipped a mere 1,200. Despite an annual production capacity of 250,000 Nanos, the company has only managed to sell about 129,000 to date.

While new product failures are a dime a dozen in the auto industry, the homegrown Nano seemed like such a slam dunk, its failure is shocking. Yet FP says the Nano's biggest problem should have been easy to see: Nobody, not even those in developing countries, wants a car whose primary attribute is that it is cheap.

Nano sales have also been hurt by problems with Tata's dealer network and safety concerns after reports of cars catching on fire. Tata told FP that it is addressing these issues, and a new advertising campaign for the car is airing on national television. A Tata spokesman also noted that over 90 percent of Nano owners have reported being satisfied with their cars.

So is the Nano a failure? Certainly it's not the success that many predicted, but revolutions aren't usually as neat and tidy as Steve Jobs liked to make them. And even if all that talk about Tata exporting the cars to the U.S. is looking like utter nonsense today, we found things to like about the Nano when we drove one last year. We're willing to concede that the final chapter on Tata's people's car has yet to be written.

Is the Tata Nano a failure? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 tata nanonanotataWed, 12 Oct 2011 14:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20079333/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/12/is-the-tata-nano-a-failure/20079333/article-detail.xml 20079333 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/nanofire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/nanofire.jpg <![CDATA[Tata finally shows off its $4.6M Nano Gold Plus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/tata-finally-shows-off-its-4-6m-nano-gold-plus/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/tata-finally-shows-off-its-4-6m-nano-gold-plus/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/tata-finally-shows-off-its-4-6m-nano-gold-plus/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

gold plus tata nano

Tata is looking to play with both sides of the automotive pricing coin. On one side, it has the Nano, which is arguably the least expensive new automobile on the planet. In its native India, the Nano can be had from around $2,500, and it's been reported that an updated version would run around $7,000 if sold in North America. Now, however, there is now a special new version of the Nano which raises costs a bit. How does $4.6 million sound?

The Tata family has produced this gold and jewel encrusted Nano as a celebratory ode to their Gold Plus jewelry stores. While a $4.6 million showpiece seems a bit much, it's not everyday your company celebrates its 5,000th anniversary.

This Goldmember-mobile is covered in 176 pounds of 22 karat gold. Add in 33 pounds of silver and over 10,000 precious gems and stones, and you have the bling ride to end all bling ride discussions. Let's hope they upgraded the powertrain to cope with all that extra weight, eh? Get a closer look at this one-off $4.6 million Nano by clicking through our gallery.

Tata finally shows off its $4.6M Nano Gold Plus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gold cargold nanogold plusgold plus nanogold tatagold-covered nanoindiananotatatata nanoworlds cheapest carTue, 20 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20047394/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/20/tata-finally-shows-off-its-4-6m-nano-gold-plus/20047394/article-detail.xml 20047394 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/0001-tata-nano-gold-plus-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/0001-tata-nano-gold-plus-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Unconfirmed next-generation Ford and GM truck powertrain details swirl]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/unconfirmed-next-generation-ford-and-gm-truck-powertrain-details/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/unconfirmed-next-generation-ford-and-gm-truck-powertrain-details/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/unconfirmed-next-generation-ford-and-gm-truck-powertrain-details/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford F-150 Badge

TheDetroitBureau.com is reporting a few juicy rumors about the future of full-size pickups from both General Motors and Ford. According to details supplied by shadowy sources, Ford is currently hard at task on the development of a range of new V6 engines. The powerplants are said to be under development in a range of sizes, including 2.6-, 2.7- and 3.0-liter displacements. The engines are being crafted under the codename "Nano" with a single dual-stage turbo making up for the cut in displacement. The largest of the trio is said to have a target of 300-315 horsepower, which is effectively what the current naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter V6 churns out. TDB maintains that the new V6 lumps may also work their way into the Mustang line at some point as well.

The report indicates that GM, meanwhile, is hard at work on a forced-induction V6 of its very own to fight Ford's EcoBoost surge. Additionally, the company's heavy-duty trucks will be the only models available with the big-boy 6.2-liter V8, while both light- and heavy-duty pickups will be available with the company's 6.0-liter V8. Finally, the tried-and-true 5.3-liter V8 will soldier on for the next-generation as well.

Unconfirmed next-generation Ford and GM truck powertrain details swirl originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletf-seriesfordford nanogeneral motorsgmgmcnanosierrasilveradov6v6 turboFri, 29 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20004445/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/29/unconfirmed-next-generation-ford-and-gm-truck-powertrain-details/20004445/article-detail.xml 20004445 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/ford-f-150-badge-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/ford-f-150-badge-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/08/report-tata-to-double-nano-production-amidst-sales-uptick/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/08/report-tata-to-double-nano-production-amidst-sales-uptick/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/08/report-tata-to-double-nano-production-amidst-sales-uptick/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Tata Nano CX
2011 Tata Nano CX - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano has enjoyed an increase in sales in the last couple of months, reportedly sparking Tata Motors to double production of its budget-minded microcar this fiscal year. In March, the Indian automaker moved 8,707 examples, pulling to within spitting distance of its 9,000-unit sales record for July, 2010.

After a summer selling record numbers, the Nano's sales plummeted to just 589 in November, following numerous reports that alleged that the cars were mysteriously bursting into flames. After the mysterious fires, Tata offered free extended warranties on the cars, up to 90 percent financing on easy terms, and a comprehensive maintenance plan at just 99 rupees a month (about $2.25 U.S.).

The incentives seem to have struck a chord with buyers, and the Nano is right back where it was a year ago. Currently, Tata is building 9,000-10,000 cars a month at its Sanand, India plant, and had planned to increase that rate to 15,000 this fiscal year. In light of the sales spike, though, that number was bumped to 18,000 to 20,000 units a month.


Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin


Photos copyright (C)2011 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: The Hindu Business Line]

Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Tata Nano CXnanotatatata motorstata nanoworlds cheapest carFri, 08 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19906159/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/08/report-tata-to-double-nano-production-amidst-sales-uptick/19906159/article-detail.xml 19906159 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tata hopes to offer $7,000 car in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/report-tata-hopes-to-offer-7-000-car-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/report-tata-hopes-to-offer-7-000-car-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/18/report-tata-hopes-to-offer-7-000-car-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Tata Nano CX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is the Tata Nano finally ready to take on U.S. roads? Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, believes so, but the car won't be the same $2,500 vehicle found in India. Instead, according to The New York Times, Tata says the American market will get a car built to be competitive here yet still priced well below the competition.

It seems the North American-spec Nano could cost between $7,000 and $8,000. Will that be enough to lure buyers into their local Tata dealer's showrooms? If gas prices keep climbing, consumers could be attracted by the Nano if the Americanized version can achieve something along the lines of the 52 miles per gallon city/62 miles per gallon highway fuel economy that the current model achieves.


Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin


Photos Copyright (C)2011 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: The New York Times]

Report: Tata hopes to offer $7,000 car in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american tata nanonanoratan tatatatatata nanous-spec tata nanoFri, 18 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19883194/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/18/report-tata-hopes-to-offer-7-000-car-in-u-s/19883194/article-detail.xml 19883194 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01tatanano2011qs-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01tatanano2011qs-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tata Pixel given European green light]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/16/report-tata-pixel-given-european-green-light/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/16/report-tata-pixel-given-european-green-light/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/16/report-tata-pixel-given-european-green-light/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2011 Tata Pixel Concept
2011 Tata Pixel Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Tata Motors has reportedly approved the Tata Pixel, a microcar concept it showed off at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, for production. The minute Pixel is advertised as the most efficiently-packaged four-seater in the world. It comes in at just under 10 feet long, and is nearly a foot shy of the Tata Nano's overall length.

Assuming the report from Autocar is accurate, the Pixel will take the place of the previously-proposed Nano Europa once the doors have been converted to traditionally-opening units and the gauges have been engineered.

The Pixel will be powered by the Nano's 60-horsepower, 1.2-liter diesel, which will be mounted under the back seats, turning a five-speed gearbox. No word yet on when Tata plans to have the car on sale, but it seems to be pushing through quickly.


Gallery: Tata Pixel Concept: Geneva 2011


Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Tata Pixel given European green light originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 tata pixelgeneva motor shownanopixeltatatata motorstata nanoWed, 16 Mar 2011 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19880399/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/16/report-tata-pixel-given-european-green-light/19880399/article-detail.xml 19880399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/tata-pixel-concept-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/tata-pixel-concept-lead.jpg <![CDATA[Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries - Click above for image gallery

Try to imagine the most basic car on the road, and you'll likely conjure up images of the Tata Nano. The Citroën 2CV of our time, the Nano was conceived as bare-bones, bargain-basement transport for the masses. But while it makes the rest of us wonder how much our own cars are really worth, sales of the diminutive budget car have been lagging in the wake of safety concerns after cars were reported to be spontaneously combusting due to bad wiring and such.

To drum up enthusiasm for the Nano, Tata has brought in one of its subsidiaries, Titan Industries, to give the car a more luxe appearance in the form of gold and jewels. Celebrating the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewelry, Tata and Titan launched a public campaign to solicit designs for a bedazzled Nano. Thirteen designs came in, with the winner you see here chosen just a few days ago. The conspicuous one-off will be crafted out of pure gold by Titan at its facility in Bagalore. Have a closer look at the winning design, along with a couple of the runners-up, in the gallery below.


Gallery: Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries


[Source: International Business Times]

Why, yes, that is a Tata Nano covered in pure gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goldnanotatatata nanotata nano gold plustitan industriesMon, 27 Dec 2010 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19777471/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/27/why-yes-that-is-a-tata-nano-covered-in-pure-gold/19777471/article-detail.xml 19777471 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630--tata-nano-gold-entry-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/web630--tata-nano-gold-entry-2.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/video-tata-nano-gets-cuddly-new-television-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/video-tata-nano-gets-cuddly-new-television-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/video-tata-nano-gets-cuddly-new-television-ad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Tata Nano ad
She loves the new Tata Nano in the driveway - Click above to watch the video after the break

If small equals cute, the Tata Nano might be the cuddly-wuddliest little car in the world. Sadly, that cuteness isn't necessarily translating into sales at the level the Indian automaker was planning for. Hence, advertisements.

While Tata usually veers towards the humor side of the advertising coin, for its first Nano commercial, Tata has decided to dance upon the heartstrings of the Indian audience, and rather successfully we might add. 'Course, we're not Indian, and no, those weren't tears - we just had something in our eye...

Click on past the break to watch the Tata Nano advertisement, where you'll see an adorable little girl with too much eye makeup asking her grandmother when their new microcar will make it home. As you'll see in the video, the Nano impresses all who see it on its journey from dealership to neighborhood. And it finally gets a little eye makeup of its own. Aww...

[Source: YouTube via Indian Autos Blog]

Continue reading Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad

Video: Tata Nano gets cuddly new television ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nanotatatata nanotata nano advertisementtata nano videoFri, 17 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19768265/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/17/video-tata-nano-gets-cuddly-new-television-ad/19768265/article-detail.xml 19768265 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/tata-nano-ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/tata-nano-ad.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tata Nano sales plunge to just 589 units in November]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/report-tata-nano-sales-plunge-to-just-589-units-in-november/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/report-tata-nano-sales-plunge-to-just-589-units-in-november/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/02/report-tata-nano-sales-plunge-to-just-589-units-in-november/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Tata Nano CX
2011 Tata Nano CX - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Tata Nano was such a hot commodity when it entered the Indian market that Tata Motors felt compelled to hold a lottery to determine the first 100,000 customers. A reported 70,000 copies of the $2,500+ econobox have been sold to date, but November apparently didn't budge that number much.

Bloomberg reports that only 589 Nano models were sold in November; a minuscule total for a mass-market car. Tata CEO Carl-Peter Forster reportedly blames a lack of financing options as the reason customers aren't buying. Forster claims that the Nano is popular with customers who currently use a bike or motorcycle for transportation, and the feeling is that banks fear that extending a loan to a lower income buyer could bring increased risk of default.

But while bank loans are one problem, another issue could stem from the fact that the Nano has been in the news for catching fire. That's definitely not a desirable feature, and we're thinking that customers who plunk down their life savings for their first vehicle don't want their low-cost car to turn into a pricey car-b-que. The 'no loans' theory sounds even less likely after hearing that overall Tata sales in November were 54,622, up one percent year-over-year. And the icing on the cake? Tata has also raised the price of the Nano twice over the past few months; $198 in October and four percent back in July. That's about $300 more than the car sold for at launch.


Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin


Photos copyright (C)2010 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Tata Nano sales plunge to just 589 units in November originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nanonano salestatatata nanotata nano salesworlds cheapest carThu, 02 Dec 2010 11:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19740906/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/02/report-tata-nano-sales-plunge-to-just-589-units-in-november/19740906/article-detail.xml 19740906 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138.jpg <![CDATA[Nanotechnology standards coming for auto industry?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/#commentsFiled under:

According to recent reports, nanotechology - controlling matter at an atomic and molecular level (thanks, Wikipedia!) - is about to hit the automobile world full-force. And the results could be both good and bad.

First, a few examples of the good: First we have a German chemicals company called Lanxess that's used nanotechnology to create tires that perform better than traditional rubber in both overall performance and wear. Secondly, under the hood of BMW's diesel models is a particulate filter coated with tiny carbon nanotubes, enabling it to remove 99 percent of all particulate matter. And finally, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with PPG to create a nanotech paint with a glass-like outer coating that's three-times less likely to scratch.

According to Wards Auto, though, nano particles "can behave in unexpected ways, passing through human skin into the blood or even brain." While we're not experts, the idea of nano particles on the brain doesn't sound very enticing. It's also not fully understood how these tiny materials can damage the environment and nature. In deference to these facts, the European Union is reportedly considering how best to define nano particles so it can regulate the technology.

The United States is also looking into nanotechnology regulations. Sally Tinkle, senior science advisor to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said, "The technology is new enough that we are not yet looking at tires or car bumpers that have nano elements and which have reached the end of their lives... But we understand the immediacy of these questions and the need to protect public health and the environment."

[Source: Wards Auto]

Nanotechnology standards coming for auto industry? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european unionEuropeanUnionnanonano particlesNanoParticlesnanotechnanotechnologynanotubeWed, 04 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19577527/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/19577527/article-detail.xml 19577527 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/carbon-nanotubes_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/carbon-nanotubes.jpg <![CDATA[Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX - Driving the world's cheapest car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/23/2011-tata-nano-cx-quick-spin-road-test-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/23/2011-tata-nano-cx-quick-spin-road-test-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/23/2011-tata-nano-cx-quick-spin-road-test-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Tata Nano CX - Click above for high-res image gallery

People love the idea of super-cheap transportation. Two generations ago, Volkswagen captured the world's attention with the Beetle (known originally as "The People's Car"), but when people finally drove the rear-engined VW, they realized it was more than just a cheap car - it was remarkably fun to drive.

India's Tata Motors picked up on the people's car idea several years ago. Motorbikes and pedal bikes are the go-to transportation options for millions in India, which presented an opportunity. But with the average price of a new car in the U.S. hovering around $30,000, an inconceivable sum in the developing world, Tata would have to do something very different. The tiny Nano was the result. It's currently on sale in India starting at around $2,500. That sound you hear is over a billion people cheering because they can now envision themselves owning transportation with a roof that they don't have to pedal.

The pint-sized sedan wowed crowds at its New Delhi introduction in 2008 and Tata began exporting the Nano throughout the developing world. Speculation swirled that the company would eventually target the U.S. after the car was put on display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but do we really want it here?


Gallery: 2011 Tata Nano CX: Quick Spin


Text and photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX - Driving the world's cheapest car

Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX - Driving the world's cheapest car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featurednanoquick spinQuickSpintatatata nanotata nano first drivetata nano reviewtata nano road testTataNanoTataNanoFirstDriveTataNanoReviewTataNanoRoadTestFri, 23 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19565339/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/23/2011-tata-nano-cx-quick-spin-road-test-review/19565339/article-detail.xml 19565339 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1tatanano2011qs-1279869138.jpg -1 2