IAB readers would surely know that Sri Lanka was the first foreign market to get the Tata Nano. After countless meetings with Taiwan, Bhutan and some African countries, Tata Motors finally decided that Sri Lanka would be a perfect market for their little wonder.
However, it seems that the Nano – billed as world’s cheapest car has not touched down on the private car market. Instead, a local company has bought 45 units of the Nano as Taxis. The company has also plans to introduce 200 more Nano Taxies within six months. The Nano Taxi is marketed at a lower price than air-conditioned cabs and as a better alternative to ubiquitous three-wheel taxis (read Bajaj Auto).
The Magic Iris could have done this job better but there’s no way Tata can choose who buys the Nano. Ultimately it is the customer who decides the positioning and target group of a product.
Is this good for the Brand ‘Tata Nano’?
Image Source – Yahoo.com
[...] company registered 45 units of the Nano for use as taxis. The company, which runs under the name NanoCab plans to add 200 more Nanos to its fleet by the end of 2011. This has not gone down well with [...]
While Nano is a wonderful car, there is virtually no space inside for larger luggage. So a Nano taxi would work only as long it is fitted with a roof rack and as long as the passengers do not mind their luggage being outside the car.
[...] the Tata Nano, Ford Figo will be the next car India will export to Sri Lanka. Ford has appointed Future [...]
It seems Mumbai taxi and its Union is holding everyone to ransom!!!…..Nano has become a taxi in Lanka….and we seem to be in comatose as usual…we need to wake up out of our safety zones cheers
Its not just nano but even indica is prefered by taxi operators.and TATA is market leader with their trucks and buses.
Nano is not a luxuary product & is ment for someone who is looking for car with lowest running & ownership cost.
Three wheelers are unsafe and this safety issue can bring good sales for Iris.
Tata has done something they did with Aria and Safari to Nano and Magic Iris. Tata should upgrade Nano to Nano European version and then position it a bit higher in price. They can sell the Magic Iris as a entry level vehicle to compete with three wheelers.
well i would call this a right move by tata. Taxi or no taxi tata nano will fulfill demands of people. A gr8 car for its price, i fell this should also replace our auto-rickshaws
what about Magic Iris? I mean, do you think the Nano will do a better job with petrol engine and lower seating/luggage capacity.
MAgic Iris can be an option too, but tata wants awareness spread about its nano, this is what i think. Its more like a marketing gimmick, people will see nano taxis they will even want to buy it then. Magic Iris although would be more suited for a taxi but tata wants people to know more about their nano. As it is indeed the worlds cheapest car!