Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: neilep on 26/03/2009 20:28:39

Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: neilep on 26/03/2009 20:28:39
I want one !


 [ Invalid Attachment ]

 [ Invalid Attachment ]



Indias Tata group has announced that the world's cheapest car, the Nano, will roll out of its car plant with a price tag of just 100,000 rupees - £1,350 - and will be exported to richer nations, beginning with Europe, in two years.

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Motors, said the car was originally designed to bring motoring to India's masses, but he was taken aback by the considerable interest in the west.

He said: "Initially we did not plan for this product to be marketed anywhere else but India or developing countries … I felt that the niche did not exist in the west. But now the present economic scene makes it somewhat more relevant in price."

The basic model has few frills, not even air-conditioning to deal with intense Indian summers. But Tata executives are convinced that with India's improving road network and a rising middle class the company could sell a million Nanos a year.

The emergence of the Nano has caused concern among green campaigners, who have warned of an environmental nightmare on India's roads. Although there are just 5m cars in use in India ‑ only seven in every 1,000 people own a car ‑ the roads are clogged with dozens of other vehicles.

The company expects to sell 100,000 cars this year before switching production to its new plant in Gujarat, which is capable of producing 250,000 units a year.

Mr Tata said the car would be the greenest in India. The four-door, five-seater Nano has a 624cc engine at the rear, which delivers 23.6km per litre, and has a CO2 emissions rating of 101 g/km (grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre driven).

The Nano is being redesigned for Europe and the United States. Rigorous safety rules in the west mean the car must be fitted with airbags and its rear end strengthened.

Tata said: "We have many of the components ready ... It's just early days, but in Europe we will be ready in 2011. The United States a bit longer."

He added that unlike India, where affordable private transport will become a reality with the Nano, the western market will be different.  "I had the Indian family in mind when I designed this car, where four people travel together by motorbike. I thought they could travel more safely by car. I think in the United States [the Nano] would be for younger people who want a low-cost car."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/india-car-world-cheapest
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 21:37:16
Clarkson will love it  [;D]

Are they going to produce a turbo version for Garinda Boys?
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: neilep on 26/03/2009 22:12:01
Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 21:37:16
Clarkson will love it  [;D]

Are they going to produce a turbo version for Garinda Boys?

I'm sure they will...all they will need do is add another rubber band and AAA battery !
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: neilep on 26/03/2009 22:13:58
I somehow suspect that the price may have doubled/trebled when it finally reaches UK shores !
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 22:15:44
Quote from: neilep on 26/03/2009 22:12:01
Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 21:37:16
Clarkson will love it  [;D]

Are they going to produce a turbo version for Garinda Boys?

I'm sure they will...all they will need do is add another rubber band and AAA battery !

A? A? A? Are you a Scouser?
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 22:17:16
Someone's naan & graandad might like 1.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: neilep on 26/03/2009 23:11:02
When it becomes available over here one can just Popadom to the local centre and buy one...or ring for a delivery.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: JimBob on 26/03/2009 23:57:41
Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 26/03/2009 21:37:16
Clarkson will love it  [;D]

Are they going to produce a turbo version for Garinda Boys?

He probably couldn't fit in it.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: Karen W. on 27/03/2009 02:39:39
What price would that be stateside?
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: Don_1 on 27/03/2009 10:30:37
Wont be long before the English version is on the road, the Tata Nano Masala! Or should the be Tata Naan bread masala?
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 27/03/2009 11:17:48
I'd complain about the size of the portions
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: JimBob on 27/03/2009 17:41:33
And you would also probably get an upset stomach.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: Make it Lady on 27/03/2009 19:30:27
Quote from: Don_1 on 27/03/2009 10:30:37
Wont be long before the English version is on the road, the Tata Nano Masala! Or should the be Tata Naan bread masala?
This comes with chips and gravy!
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 27/03/2009 21:06:18
How fast can it GOA?
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: JnA on 28/03/2009 01:41:09
Quote from: neilep on 26/03/2009 22:13:58
I somehow suspect that the price may have doubled/trebled when it finally reaches UK shores !


That would be because it would need to have all the standard safety features installed.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: JimBob on 28/03/2009 02:45:42
Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 27/03/2009 21:06:18
How fast can it GOA?

It'll GOA fast enough to get you to the DEHLI for a sandwich.
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: Karen W. on 28/03/2009 02:47:04
Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 27/03/2009 21:06:18
How fast can it GOA?

I hear top speed of 63 miles an hour!
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 28/03/2009 02:58:51
Oooh, so you could really hare (krishna) along in it!
Title: Cheap cheap cheap car !..it's an Indian take away !
Post by: Karen W. on 28/03/2009 03:09:49
Yep...LOL...Fast enough for me!