Posts Tagged ‘Tata Nano’

Random Thoughts – Tata Nano

Tata Nano could teach school students driving manners and safety as it is easily accessible

True, the dream has become a reality. Kudos, to Mr. Ratan Tata and team, it is a great achievement to see the Nano. Honestly, before I saw the car, I was one of those people who was against the idea of seeing it on the roads. I was completely selfish in thinking – what a Rs. 1 lakh car? that’s more traffic on the roads.

I even agreed with the idea that this car would add to air pollution and other environmental problems (as its target customers are at the bottom of the pyramid – the masses). I do not turn my engine off at the signals, my aircon is constantly on and I have two cars. How can I agree to the idea that the Nano adds to the pollution? And what can I do about the traffic?, It is for the government to manage. I can only contribute by staying off the roads or using public transport.

After seeing the Nano, I felt like a complete idiot. First, how did Tata pull it off? The Nano appealed to me as one of the best designed and engineered cars from the Tata stables. Then the question? Why should I buy this car? for that matter why should any one buy this car?

*Let us stick to basics. I would not like to get in to the specifics of the Nano, there is much info available on that.

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Entry posted on February 15th, 2010 and filed under Tata Nano

Tata Nano stops by in Chicago on its way to Detroit Auto Show

Tata_Nano_in_ChicagoStudents and teachers at Judson Univ check out the Tata Nano inside-out

The world’s cheapest car, Tata Nano, made a two-hour stop at Judson University, Elgin, Chicago yesterday on its way to the ongoing Detroit Motor Show in North America.

The Champagne Gold Nano LX with licence plate number MH04 ED 7015, borrowed from Tata Technologies’ Centre for Advanced Engineering and Design in Pune was showcased to roughly 200 people who are associated to the University, community and the US government.

Almost each of them after getting a taste of the 2-cylinder 624cc city car asked when it would be available in the US. Many of them questioned accompanying officials on the safety and emission aspects of the vehicle.

The crowd was surprised by the interior room and some of them were heard saying airbags would make it to the US-spec version.

As Ratan Tata, Group Chairman holds a degree in architecture, the Nano was showcased in the architecture block of the university.

The Nano now travels to its final destination – Cobo Center in Detroit where it will remain on display till the 24th

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Entry posted on January 12th, 2010 and filed under Tata Nano

Tata Nano rocks Fukuoka Motor Show 2009 in Japan

Tata_Nano_Fukuoka_2009The Delhi registered display vehicle poses to photographers at the show’s parking lot

None of the other 172 vehicles displayed at the ongoing Fukuoka Motor Show in Japan has made news on the Japanese newspapers. The Tata Nano proves the point again – affordable transportation does not mean boring cars.

The Tata Nano is one of the most talked about cars in Japan. The organizers of the event, speaking to the media, on the opening day itself, declared the Nano as their star exhibit.

The Tata Nano’s price is estimated around 220,000 yen. In comparison, the price of the cheapest car in Japan is around 600,000 yen.

Tata is presently focusing on the local demand, thought it has drafted plans to take this fantastic innovation to other countries. Tata could penetrate the Japanese market with a structurally re-engineered Nano. The engine and other specifications allow it to qualify as a kei car.

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Entry posted on December 15th, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano

Bayer Nano – The ultimate promotional vehicle

Bayer_Tata_NanoBayer’s Nanos have all sorts of paint schemes highlighting the company’s range

German company Bayer recently bought three Tata Nanos in Mumbai. Rather than taking it to the temple or visit relatives, they scooted the Nanos into a paint shop and covered the cars with all sorts of colors. This gives a distinguished feel to the vehicles and by all odds will grab everyone’s attention on the road.

Bayer will use the Nanos to ferry employees flying to India. On weekends the car is given to local employees for them to have fun with it. They allow them to drive their families to their favorite spots in Mumbai.

These Nano’s have been repainted to cool aqua blue and bright green, fiery red and multi coloured striped colours. It is not to everyone’s taste, but it serves the purpose of brand building.

Mr Gerlich Country Speaker, Bayer Group of Companies -

The Nano has been read about all over the world, and people are curious about it. When our colleagues and their families have an opportunity to use the Bayer Nano, it really makes them feel special. Besides, the car also uses some material from Bayer, so it is a win – win situation for both the companies.

Bayer is sure to magnet interest from wide and far for this move. Quick thinking and lady luck were at the same spot given the 2+ lakh bookings and up to one year waiting period for the little car.

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Entry posted on December 15th, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano

Other news – SYM Cevalo, Toyota at Expo, A-Star, Nano

sym-cevalo-125-indiaThe SYM Cevalo 125cc bike could be Mahindra’s surprise exhibit at Auto Expo 2010

Stories on many blogs indicate Mahindra 2 wheelers will display the 125cc SYM Cevalo at the upcoming Auto Expo. The Cevalo will join the Rodeo, Duro and Flyte next year. With a 125cc 4 valve air-cooled engine, the Cevalo’s 15bhp power comes thanks to fuel injection technology.

Toyota will show not one, two, three or..err..ok, they’re going to bring 13 cars to the Auto Expo next year. 13! I hope they launch at least 2 of those in India next one year. Wait, they have already said the small car (EFC) and its sedan avatar will ply Indian roads by 2011. So our desire has already been fulfilled, then.

Which car does Suzuki sell in 69 countries? Which car recently touched the 100,000 mark in cumulative sales exports? Which car despite having “Star” in its name, needs discounts and offers to sell in India? Shame that countries other than India find the A-Star a fuel sipper and nippy city hatch.

The Tata Nano adds another trophy to its cabinet by booking a berth in the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York next year from February 18 to April 25. The Nano will be showcased for its innovative design and advanced technology.

Due to fluctuations in exchange rate, Honda will increase prices of its models by about one percent in January next year. Honda sells the City, Civic, CR-V, Accord, Jazz and Civic hybrid in India.

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Entry posted on December 11th, 2009 and filed under Daily Local News, Uncategorized

Three Tata Nanos catch fire; Should we even react?

Tata_Nano_rearHas the Tata Nano started showing signs of its dark side this early?

I’m having second thoughts on writing this article.. This isn’t the first time Tata’s initial batch of cars have shown signs of trouble.

I have witnessed a brand new Indigo XL, from the first batch of cars, arriving from production line, making a noise that scared the day lights out of me. The timing belt had cut itself loose. The same was the case with the DICOR versions of the Indica when launched, which too had its share of engine faults. Everyone knows the story of burned clutches on the Safari Dicor 3.0s. The initial lot back in 2005 had so many premature clutch failures, which, I’m told, forced Tata to order a retro-fitment.

The list isn’t ending there, as the Tata Nano has also joined the much-talked about roster. Why are there so many issues in the initial batch of Tata cars? Don’t they test vehicles properly before sanctioning them to the production line? There’s no point in making different kinds of vehicles from the production lines governed by shortfalls and failed procedures. Tata, I guess, isn’t willing to change this aspect in its cars.

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Entry posted on October 23rd, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano

In our dreams – Tata Nano Abarth version

Tata_Nano_AbarthTata_Nano_Abarth_1

The rife speculation on the Nano’s identity (as Tata or Fiat) in Latin America is still on as this drawing flies out of our good friend Chin’s scrap book.

He’s illustrated the Tata Nano Abarth version, which to some would mean stupidity. But hold your horses as more powerful engines, possibly sourced from Fiat, are likely to serve the Nano when it lands in Europe.

According to Ratan Tata, his company’s JV with Fiat is destined for bigger things. A possible re-look resulting in a wider scope will mean Fiat and Tata will not stop with just sharing engines and technology in India alone. Fiat could make a ultra-quick version of its popular Multijet engine line to suit the Nano’s needs.

Fiat could also strap the Nano with a super quick FIRE petrol engine and that coupled to the feather light body could make the Nano as quick to the 3-digit barrier as the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Wait, I don’t think the title agrees to what I’ve just said.

Better to enjoy the images.

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Entry posted on September 14th, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano

Tata Nano self ignites; Owner demands Mercedes Benz as replacement

Tata Nano first customer function Mumbai-2

The Tata Nano has a strong tendency to attract heated debates and arguments from environmentalists and politicians. It is by far the hottest car launched in 2009, a global phenomenon, and the heat isn’t willing to escape from the Nano’s vicinity.

A newly purchased Nano, parked in the comfort of housing society parking area in Ahmedabad, burst into flames yesterday morning. Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident. Sources place responsibility on a faulty battery for the culprit behind the fire.

But the flames or the company representatives who arrived at the scene immediately to put it out don’t make this story interesting. The Nano’s owner, who did not want to go down without a fight, is this story’s real hero.

After the incident, he went to the Tata dealership that sold him the car and demanded a compensation of 5 lakh (500,000) rupees!

Wait, the story isn’t over yet -

When the dealership officials refused, he demanded the Fiat Linea or a Tata Safari as a replacement to his charred vehicle. And you thought shiny new cars on display only attract customers.

The cherry on this stale pudding -

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Entry posted on September 14th, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano, Uncategorized

Tata’s Sanand plant to be functional by January 2010

Tata Nano first customer function Mumbai-68

Ratan Tata has made it official that the makeshift Sanand plant in Gujarat to manufacture the Nano will be operational by January 2010. Tata was forced to vacate from its nearly complete Singur factory in West Bengal after political agitations and death threats issued to company workers.

Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, Tata said there has been a lot of positive feedback for the Nano and countries in Asia and Africa have shown a lot of interest.

Once strong demands in India are met, the plant will manufacture cars, possibly more powerful ones, for the European and aforementioned markets.

He added yellow and silver color Nanos are in great demand.

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Entry posted on August 26th, 2009 and filed under Tata Nano

2,475 Tata Nanos delivered in 15 days

2,475 Tata Nanos delivered in 15 days

Tata Motors declared it delivered 2,475 Nano cars to customers in India over the past fortnight. The company delivered the first car to Ashok Raghunath, a resident of Mumbai (we where there to capture the moment)

The Nano is manufactured at the company’s Pantnagar plant. The Sanand plant, which is the primary plant, will start operation next year making 250,000 cars in its first year.

Yesterday, we reported 60,000 Nanos would be delivered by July 2010.

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Entry posted on August 4th, 2009 and filed under Tata, Tata Nano

The month that answered the wish of the common man

tata_nano_vichare

Wishes of common man answered!

My Envisage

The dream that was vision in 2003 from the glass of the back bench of the ultra luxury car, seeing a family of 4 souring in the rain on the scooter has been realised on 18th July 2009 when Chairman of Tata Motors, Ratan Tata hands over the key of the first “Nano car” or “People’s Car” or “The world’s cheapest car” to Ashok Raghunath Vichare in Mumbai.

That indeed is one of the greatest achievements in Indian automobile Industry and auto Industry across the globe. This engineering marvel depicts a part of a “new breed of 21st-century cars” that embodies “a contrarian philosophy of smaller, lighter, and cheaper” and potentially portrays a new era in inexpensive personal transportation.

“Don’t we owe a salute to Mr. Ratan Tata getting the wishes of common man answered”

Behind the Steering

This weekend while driving my Chevy Optra Magnum Diesel 2.0 LT I was wondering, what is the reason behind this car not having the sale number it deserves?

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Entry posted on August 2nd, 2009 and filed under Specials

Fiat Nano test mule spotted testing in Brazil

Fiat Nano test mule spotted testing in Brazil

It was only a matter of time before we received confirmation. Our friend in Brazil, Marlos Vidal, says Tata Nanos are running around Fiat’s largest production production plant in Betim, Brazil.

Marlos explains the car that is doing rounds, is a prototype, and its specifications might be different to the Indian car. The car might be sold as a Tata, or Fiat could use the Nano’s base to station its own mini car.

If the former is the case, Tata has showcased the Nano Europa concept with different bumpers and interiors, so this could be one such derivative.

We’ll have to wait and see how this story unfolds.

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Entry posted on July 28th, 2009 and filed under Tata, Tata Nano

Ratan Tata – Fiat and Tata will take Nano to Latin America

Ratan Tata – Fiat and Tata will take Nano to Latin America

The concept of offering models via partners who are better equipped handling situations in a foreign land is an age old practice. Speaking to the La Stampa newspaper (a local daily in Italy) Ratan Tata divulged important details regarding the Fiat-Nano relationship.

Ratan Tata -

“We have various projects, to take the Nano to Latin America together, to share platforms for new cars, we have projects for Iveco and also for us to sell Ferrari and Maserati”

This announcement comes days after Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn expressed interest in manufacturing the ULC in Brazil, which is Fiat’s second largest market after Italy.

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Entry posted on July 23rd, 2009 and filed under Fiat, Tata, Tata Nano
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