Back in July, we brought you the first sightings of the Tata Nano LHD tested on the roads of Pune. Now, one of our readers from Pune has caught a yet another test mule of the LHD config Nano during its test runs.
You will notice that although visually there is noting different from the regular Nano, the driver is sitting on the left hand side.
The LHD variant is clearly from export markets only. Currently, the Tata Nano is only sold in the Indian subcontinent in countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. All these markets are right hand drive markets.
But Tata Motors wants to take the Nano to global markets such as Africa, South America and South-East Asia which will require the Nano to have left hand drive configuration. Export markets are vital for the Tata Nano if the automaker wants to utilize full capacity of 2.5 lakh units a year Sanand plant as the domestic demand projections have not gone according to plan.
To further boost the volumes, Tata Motors is also planning a CNG variant and a diesel variant of Nano. There will also be many special editions and dual tone Nanos flooding the market very soon.
Outside India, car buyers consider power output and top speed while making buying decisions as road conditions allow cars to travel at higher speeds. Will this tempt Tata Motors to transplant a bigger petrol motor, perhaps a three-cylinder with 50+ bhp, under the rear seat?
