Autoblog

REPORT: Tata pondering Nano launch for U.S. market

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Green, India, Tata, Rumormill

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

Could an extremely inexpensive, minuscule little car like the Tata Nano actually sell in America, a land historically enamored with powerful V8 engines surrounded by as much sheetmetal as possible? According to the Financial Times, Tata Motors may be about to find out, as the Indian automaker is said to be looking at an introduction into the U.S. market by 2011 or 2012.

What makes Ratan Tata, chairman of the automaker that bears his name, think that his diminutive rear-engined machine might sell in the United States? The economy, of course. Americans may be willing to accept some of the sacrifices that would go hand-in-hand with owning the World's Cheapest Car, though the version likely to sell in the States would surely differ in major ways from what is now on sale in India.

If the Tata Nano were to hit the U.S. market, it would need to pass the same safety and emissions regulations as any other car currently sold in America. Those are not insurmountable tasks, however, as proven by the version of the Nano that's planned for European markets.

So far, there is no indication of how much a Tata Nano would cost in U.S. dollars if it were sold here.

Gallery: Tata Nano: The People's Car

[Source: Financial Times]

REPORT: Tata pondering Nano launch for U.S. market originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Order books (finally) open on $2,000 Tata Nano

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, India, Tata

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

It's been a long time in the making, but the official launch of the Tata Nano has finally taken place. Billed as the World's Cheapest Car, the diminutive Nano will sell for just Rs. 1 lakh (about $2,000 U.S.) as it leaves the factory, though shipping, taxes and registration adds a considerable amount to that total. Still, there's a great deal of anticipation for the little car in its home market of India.

In base trim, the Tata Nano comes in just three colors without a radio or air conditioning, although higher-spec versions are available that include more color choices, along with such niceties as central locking, front power windows, fog lamps, a cup holder, and even a rear spoiler.

While it may be short on amenities, the real intent of the Nano is to get Indian families off their two-wheelers and inside the relative comfort and safety of a proper automobile. As such, the 33-horsepower, 623cc two-cylinder engine and four-speed gearbox is reportedly powerful enough to get the Nano to Indian highway speeds, and the car meets all required safety and emissions requirements. It also comes standard with an 18-month/24,000 kilometer warranty.

Due to the huge demand expected for the car, the automaker has created a special process for reservations. A computer will randomly choose the first 100,000 customers that will have the opportunity to purchase a new Nano. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in July, but in the meantime, Nano-intenders will soon be able to accessorize their life with appropriate accoutrements, including a Nano phone, wristwatch, and t-shirts. Official press release available after the jump. Thanks to all who sent this in!

Gallery: Tata Nano

[Source: Tata Motors]

Continue reading Officially Official: Order books (finally) open on $2,000 Tata Nano

Officially Official: Order books (finally) open on $2,000 Tata Nano originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:56:00 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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Tata tours its Jaguar dealers

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguar, Tata

Ratan Tata, the man and mover behind Tata motors, is doing a Meet the Parents tour with Jaguar's oldest and largest U.S. dealers. As the best businesspeople do, he is flying across the States to meet the men and women in charge of his newest brand. Incredibly, it is the first time he has ever stepped inside a Jaguar dealership.

Ratan has probably gone on the whistle-stop tour not only to get to know his dealers, but so his new partners could get a glimpse of the man they've all been wary of ever since Tata emerged as a front-running buyer for the brand. What were dealers telling him? They want they want a convertible sports car like the F-Type, a convertible XJ, and an even more upscale car to compete with Bentley.

Dealer reaction has been effusive. The head of Jaguar's dealer council -- who said India was no place for Jaguar -- reversed himself after meeting Tata, saying flat out, "I was wrong." And said Norm Aron, owner of a 55-year-old dealership in Illinois, "I'm telling you this: He's going to make something out of Jaguar. We're in good hands now." Score one for Mr. Tata, and please, Ratan, keep it up. Thanks for the tip, Mannix!

[Source: Autoweek]

Tata tours its Jaguar dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover

It looks as if Ford is finally putting a fork in the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors... it's done. According to a statement from Ford, which can be read after the break, the sale of the two British automakers has been officially finalized as of today. Ford also wishes the best for its recently departed companies and their employees. Awww, isn't that sweet? We're glad we can all still be friends.

At Jaguar Land Rover, things seem to be business as usual. The company has announced that its new proud papa, Tata Motors, has named former CFO David Smith the new CEO for Jaguar and Land Rover. You may recall the untimely death of Geoff Polites, the company's previous CEO. Today's announcement of Smith's new appointment comes right on schedule based on past information provided by the company. Smith has already been the acting CEO since Polites' death late last April.

[Sources: Ford and Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO

Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata wants supplier to develop $10 airbags for the Nano

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Safety, Hatchback, Tata

It's nothing new to have automakers pushing suppliers to cut their component costs. For the past decade and a half, many companies have demanded suppliers provide price reductions of 3 to 5 percent a year, every year, with varying degrees of success. India's Tata Motors is taking these efforts to a whole new level. In order for Tata to build a new car with a retail price of only $2,500 they need component prices an order of magnitude cheaper than other cars. One example is airbags. While Tata wants the Nano to be a very basic car, it wants it to still meet safety standards. The problem is that frontal airbags cost about $150 each. At that level, a pair of airbags would account for more than 10 percent of the cost of the car, clearly a non-starter. As a result, Tata has asked occupant safety systems supplier Autoliv to develop airbags that cost only $10 each. How or if Autoliv will get down to that price point remains unclear. It seems that features like two-stage airbags and systems that detect the presence of a passenger to disable the bag if there is no one there will have to be left out. In any case, it'll be interesting to see if Autoliv and Tata can pull this one off. Thanks to Asif and Yash for the tip!

[Source: The Economic Times, The Earth Times]

Tata wants supplier to develop $10 airbags for the Nano originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 May 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra joins Tata as interested party to purchase MV Agusta?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, India, Tata, Rumormill

Click on the image above for pictures of the Brutale 910 R

Tata Motors, rumored to have been interested in purchasing a large chunk of Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta, could have some competition. Another large Indian conglomerate, Mahindra & Mahindra may now be interested in a controlling stake in the storied company. According to India Automotive, the potential exists to gain instant traction in the global motorcycle market by picking up MV Agusta, and the Italian company could use the extra funds from a large and profitable company to release a new line of more competitive machines.

Volkswagen, are you paying attention to all of this? As we've previously reported, the German automaker has expressed interest in purchasing an established motorcycle brand, even going so far as to mention Ducati by name. MV Agusta would offer instant credibility and would be a rather easy entrance into the marketplace.

[Source: India Automotive]

Mahindra joins Tata as interested party to purchase MV Agusta? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 May 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata to enter two vehicles in Automotive X Prize

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Contests, Green, Tata

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano.

Up until today, there were no major automobile manufacturers taking part in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize. That changes with Tata Motors signing a letter of intent to compete in both the Alternative and Mainstream classes. The Alternative Class allows for the use of fewer than four wheels, though Tata's intention is "to enter a pure e-drive micro car" in that class. The more relevant Mainstream Class requires four wheels, a two-hundred mile range and the equivalent of at least 100 miles per gallon from a package capable of carrying four passengers. For this class, Tata indicates that it will enter a Dominant Electric Hybrid vehicle. We're rather anxious to see what Tata is able to cook up for this eco-friendly competition, considering that whatever engineering goes into the development of its X Prize challengers can easily be applied to the production Nano, as well as Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

Gallery: Tato Nano - Live from Geneva

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Tata to enter two vehicles in Automotive X Prize

Tata to enter two vehicles in Automotive X Prize originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Tata looking to buy stake in MV Agusta

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, India, Tata, Rumormill

Click on the image above for pictures of the Brutale 910 R

Volkswagen may not be the only auto manufacturer interesting in a storied Italian motorcycle maker. Hot on the heels of its purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, rumors are swirling that Tata may be considering purchasing a stake in MV Agusta. According to a few Indian and Italian sources, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, is reportedly in talks with Claudio Castiglioni, the man running the show at MV Agusta.

Tata's involvement with MV Agusta could inject a unique flavor to the Indian conglomerate's portfolio, which has already been boosted by its acquisition of the two aforementioned classic British marques. A healthy injection of cash could do wonders for MV Agusta as well, considering what it has already proven capable of even in its currently meager financial position.

Gallery: MV Agusta Brutale 910R

[Sources: Faster and Faster, India Automotive, Motoblog]

Rumormill: Tata looking to buy stake in MV Agusta originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build your own Tata Nano. You know you want the sticker package.

Alex Nunez — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, India, Tata

Click above for a gallery of custom Nanos

For the time being, you have to live in India to buy a Tata Nano. The new people's car is slated for domestic consumption only for now, but that doesn't mean you can't unleash your inner Nano shopper. That's right, Tata's website now allows anyone to customize their own version of little fun-sized runabout. While the car's feature set is limited by necessity -- loading it up with options would run up the price, which would in turn defeat its purpose -- you can do a fair bit of personalization. The standard car gets brighter colors, while the ironically-named Luxury trim features more muted hues. From there, depending on the trim level, you can add foglamps, a number of wheel designs, and best of all -- decal packages! Throw on some racing stripes and crank up the IndiPop; 30-horsepower never looked so fast!

Gallery: Tata Nano Customizer

[Source: Tata Motors via Motive]

Build your own Tata Nano. You know you want the sticker package. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Ford sells Jaguar / Land Rover for $2 billion to Tata Motors

John Neff — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tata

According to Automotive News, the deal is done. Today Ford signed a deal with India-based Tata Motors to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover brands for over $2 billion. Ford will supposedly announce the deal officially tomorrow (Wednesday), but sources close to the transaction say the receipt's already been printed, so to speak. While details are scarce, AN does mention that Ford will pump around $598 million into the pension funds for each brand as it sends them on their way. We're waiting to hear more details about how Ford will continue to supply engines and components for these vehicles, for how long and how much. Right now, however, mum's the word, as the Blue Oval has only said that, "our first responsibility is to communicate with our employees." Sorry if they heard it here first, but then again, they should be working now, not reading Autoblog. Right? Right.

UPDATE: Just-auto puts the price tag at $2.65 billion, and reveals we should have official news from Ford before the NYSE opens tomorrow morning.

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

BREAKING: Ford sells Jaguar / Land Rover for $2 billion to Tata Motors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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