Efficient, light, and affordable. That is the philosophy behind the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, and one of the smallest as well. Launched earlier this year in Tata’s home market of India, the Nano is a lesson in minimalism, with a trunk that doesn’t open, a single wiper blade, and a number of other cost cutting features that keep its price down to just $2,160. Yes, you can buy a brand new car for just over $2,000 American dollars in India.
In fact, you might be able to buy one here in the good old U.S.A. in a few years. Reuters is reporting that Tata is considering selling the Nano right here in America. The question is, would Americans buy it?
By Mridul Chadha •
January 5, 2010
Tata Motors Chairman, Mr. Ratan Tata announced at the Delhi Auto Expo that his company is working on a Nano variant for the American market which could be ready in about three years.
Mr. Tata said that the American version will have a bigger engine and would undergo additional crash tests in order to answer the apprehensions about its safety. An electric version for the developed markets is also said to be in the works.
By Mridul Chadha •
April 6, 2009
After Tata Nano, another Indian automaker Bajaj is on schedule to launch the ‘world’s most efficient petrol fueled car’ in 2011.
By Andrew Williams •
March 24, 2009
Struggling Indian car company Tata Motors has announced the commercial launch of the Tata Nano, the most fuel-efficient petrol-driven car in India, and quite possibly the world.
The Tata Nano, keenly anticipated across India since its unveiling early last year, is capable of an incredible 23.6km/litre (55.5 mpg) and ultra-low carbon emissions of 101 g/km, one of the lowest in India. Oh, and with prices starting at about 100,000 rupees ($2,050), it’s also the cheapest car in the world (more pics after the jump).
By Andrew Williams •
March 11, 2009
Ambitious Indian car company Tata has revealed that it may launch its Indica Vista EV all-electric car in Europe by the end of the year, making it the first ‘mainstream’ company to bid for a slice of the continent’s potentially lucrative zero-emission vehicles market.
The move is likely to ruffle a few feathers amongst GM executives, who had grand plans that the Opel Ampera (the Chevy Volt’s European cousin) would become the first major player in the region, following its launch in 2011.
By Reenita Malhotra •
October 17, 2008
The Tata Group, India’s oldest and most respected industrial conglomerate has a reputation for being a lead player in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
By Adam Williams •
September 28, 2008
The Tata Nano, the cheapest car in the world, is to make its appearance on the streets of India Oct. 1.
A blurb in October’s The Atlantic monthly magazine in the United States raises the obvious concern: A $2,500 car made available in the world’s second most populous nation (approx. 1.1 billion) spells a nightmare for the environment.
This year, in particular, Beijing’s rush to modernization has raised much debate and fretting about what the impact of a 1 Billion-plus society just getting onto its wheels will be on the planet as a whole. Many critics have pooh-poohed the Chinese for the damage we scarcely can visualize is on its way.
Just think, the United States, a country of 300 million people uses 25 percent of the Earth’s oil, and all of the consequences that accompany that. China, a country of more than 1.5 billion people, has been kept out of the candy store for so long and are finally getting the keys to paradise.
