World's cheapest car goes on show

[Terrible One]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44347000/jpg/_44347603_tata_car_416.jpg

 

Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital, Delhi.

 

The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels.

 

The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear.

 

It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer.

 

Tata will initially make about 250,000 Nanos and expects eventual annual demand of one million cars.

 

The price will be slightly more than the 100,000 once tax and other costs are taken into consideration.

 

The Nano release comes as India's domestic car market is predicted to soar in the coming years on the back of the country's fast-growing economy and increased consumer wealth.

 

'People's car'

 

Indian car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to $145bn by 2016.

 

Company chairman Ratan Tata said the launch of the Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation.

 

He said the car was "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all".

 

Environmental critics have said that the car will lead to mounting air and pollution problems on India's already clogged roads.

 

But Tata said the car had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles to the gallon, or five litres per hundred kilometres.

 

The firm also said it would introduce a diesel version of the Nano at a later date.

 

'Family transport'

 

At the unveiling ceremony Mr Tata said: "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby.

 

 

 

"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.

 

"Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal.

 

"Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions."

 

Ravi Vangala, of Hyderbad, India, said: "I... congratulate Tata for his dream, and I will definitely buy the Tata Nano car."

 

 

 

 

TATA'S NANO

3.1m long, 1.5m wide, 1.6m high

Can seat four to five people

Meets European emission standards

Costs 100,000 rupees ($2,500)

Tata hopes to eventually export the car

Source: AFP

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7180396.stm

[Demon]

Tata is renown for it's reliability and ruggedness.

 

Malaysia armed forces are currently using the Tata army trucks.

 

[kucari]

wonder if it finally comes out in sg..after all the bs taxes how much will it cost..

[nhyone]

wonder if it finally comes out in sg..after all the bs taxes how much will it cost..

The OMV should be about S$4,000. If COE were $15,000, the car would cost S$24,440 before the dealer's profit.

[buttbutt8]

But seriously i will not buy it. It's either a good car (i.e no QQ, Geely, Picanto etc) or bike for me.

[nhyone]

But seriously i will not buy it. It's either a good car (i.e no QQ, Geely, Picanto etc) or bike for me.

If you lower your standards, it can cheaper to own a car than you think. Ever considered a COE car? You have own one for sub-$10k now (4 years of COE left). There are some reliable ones out there.

[Terrible One]

If you lower your standards, it can cheaper to own a car than you think. Ever considered a COE car? You have own one for sub-$10k now (4 years of COE left). There are some reliable ones out there.

 

Agree. My bro bought one at paper value and it's very economical. But have to depend on ur luck to get a problem free one as well. Also COE cars have higher RD tax. have to put that into consideration too.

 

 

The OMV should be about S$4,000. If COE were $15,000, the car would cost S$24,440 before the dealer's profit.

 

Can get a very very very nice bike with $25k

[Sev]

this car is quite ok, for those living in m'sia or bigger country, it is hard to move around without a car. not everywhere has a good transport system like singapore.

with family, childrens, it is better to drive than ride.

 

what is defination of a good car?

isn't any car that meet your expection is a good car?

it is silly to say QQ, Geely or picanto is bad car.

their function may be basic, but you get what you pay for.

you can never pay a QQ price and get 5 series.

[DeLorean]

plastic as bodywork and no airbags? seriously...i would rather ride a bike

[biting_point]

The OMV should be about S$4,000. If COE were $15,000, the car would cost S$24,440 before the dealer's profit.

 

Can get a very very very nice bike with $25k

 

Imagine getting a OPC for this.. your car only cost $25 -$17 = $8K..

as a mode of transport, it's still worthwhile..

[Demon]

Tata buys Jaguar, Land Rover in $2.3B deal

 

DETROIT, Michigan (AP) -- India's Tata Motors has confirmed it will acquire British automakers Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company for $2.3 billion -- less than half of what Ford paid for the two luxury brands.

 

A general view of the Land Rover and Jaguar Halewood factory in Merseyside, England.

 

Tata made the long-expected announcement in a statement Wednesday morning. The deal will extend its reach around the globe.

 

Tata said the transfer of the brands would take place the end of the second quarter.

 

 

Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion in 1989 and Land Rover for $2.7 billion in 2000, but it has been struggling and wants to focus on its main brands.

 

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford said it would use money from the sale to boost quality and product development.

 

Tata said it did not anticipate any significant changes to the work force at Jaguar and Land Rover. Video Watch a profile of Tata Motors. »

 

A British union earlier said that Tata had agreed to keep the UK work force around the current level of 15,300.

 

Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of the union Unite, said: "We would have much preferred Ford to keep the companies in the family, so to speak, especially with Land Rover being so profitable." Video See a report about what the deal means for Jaguar.

 

But he said the union was pleased that Tata had committed to keeping its commitment to use British components and engines.

[starr]

i bet the car is super soft/ fragile that makes it dangerous. haiz.

[eedwinn]

Hahaha super budget car, I'll rather ride a bike then drive this car.

[natgw]

i am expecting to see alot of tata nanos hogging lane1 of expressways. =(

[Metal Gear]

Look at the size of the wheels. It's microscopic!

 

The purpose of this car is so that people can finally afford a 4 wheeler instead of a bike. Built with no passion, no innovation other than to just be able to provide the masses with a cheap, functional machine.

 

It is just white goods; built to only be functional (point a to b), not desirable. I think nobody here is going to say "I'm gonna save up and buy that Tata Nano!" right? That's unless you view the car as just a machine to get you from a to b and not something that you enjoy being in or feel an attachment to.

[Dafanshu]

i work in a automotive manufacturing industry. there is a great drop in sales order from US and Europe market. only Indian market stays STRONG. India an uprising sun...

[rayhunter]

wonder does it needs to open the boot or bonnet for refueling,did not managed to see any compartment on the left or right for fuel..

 

TATA WEBSITE

[tanchunxun]

ride bike better. i tink that car not worth it..

[samurai8410]

one time smash into something i bet its like bike crashing into something dude... totally no diffrent..... u pay for what u get and get for what u pay

[rayhunter]

one time smash into something i bet its like bike crashing into something dude... totally no diffrent..... u pay for what u get and get for what u pay

 

can't be totally no diff lah..at least it's not SO bare & naked as bike.

benefit is u will not caught in the rain or get scorched under the sun..

[barefoot]

i would rather ride this

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2493/triketruck3mr7.jpg

 

add some plastic doors and windscreen you will be good to go

[samurai8410]

can't be totally no diff lah..at least it's not SO bare & naked as bike.

benefit is u will not caught in the rain or get scorched under the sun..

 

haha i was trying to be sacarstic lar... i wonder how is it like to be hot in it especially nowadays hot weather...

[jB]

good enough for 'rainy weather' but drive with the risk w/out its airbags

[fattsum]

like wat metal gear mention.. this is car is for poor ppl that only can afford bike... imagine family of 4 riding a motoycycle, of cos driving this car are more comfortable and safe for them ma.... this car is not for u those looking for nice, power, but cheap cars. they built this for their own country. for their own poor ppl...

[samurai8410]

yeah true.. but don ther love thier ppl? without air bag and all. well theres pros and cons to it i believe.. hmmm i think sure got singaporean wud buy it and mod like like theres no tomorrow...