The current Nano will continue to be on sale.
Speaking to AutoNews in an event in South Carolina, U.S.A., Tata Group's Chairman Emeritus, Ratan Tata, confirmed past reports that the small Nano will be repositioned. Acknowledging that the Nano's sales did not reach desired volumes, Tata says that the car's perception of being cheap is mostly to blame.
Prior to this interview, Tata Motors, and officials of the company, indicated that the Nano will be positioned as a 'smart city car'. The first indication of the Nano moving upmarket came with the launch of the Nano Twist - the power-steering equipped and most expensive variant of the Nano - last year.
At the 2014 Auto Expo, Tata Motors showcased concepts on the Nano with a facelifted exterior and interior, an automated manual transmission and an openable rear hatch. These features are expected to be introduced on the Nano this year.
On the other hand, reports of a more powerful Nano have also circulated in the past. In his interview with AutoNews, Ratan Tata is quoted as saying that a 'larger engine will address complaints of the Nano's 37 hp two-cylinder engine' sounding noisy.
Also read: Tata Nano Twist XE launched at INR 2.06 lakhs
However, despite newer, and more expensive variants of the Nano, Tata says that the current version will continue to be on sale. He also says that the Nano could be sold in markets such as Indonesia and certain African nations.
Tata Nano Twist Active Concept - Image Gallery
[Source - AutoNews]
