Tata Motors look to Scandinavian companies to raise eco-awareness
Tata Nano - Click above for a high res image gallery
Executives at India's Tata Motors admit that their company is a bit behind the times when it comes to environmental awareness when compared to established players in Europe. "We are behind as far as the world is concerned. There are many Scandinavian companies because they are more conscious of this than the rest of us," says JJ Irani, a director for Tata's automotive business. He adds, "We are not shy of learning."
For this reason, Irani and a few of his colleagues are currently visiting a number of large European companies in an attempt to pick up a few pointers on how to improve their eco-credentials. In addition, the group has plans to meet with executives at some of the world's largest oil companies. Irani hopes these meetings will allow Tata to "catch up faster" than if they were on their own.
What's the big deal? For one, the Tata Nano promises to be one of the most popular vehicles in the world due to its extremely low price and decent performance. This car is going to need huge new plants created for its assembly, and these meetings will hopefully help Tata build the new car with as little impact to the environment as possible.
Gallery: Tata Nano: The People's Car
[Source: Financial Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jjcentral 12:05PM (4/21/2009)
I like the part ""We are not shy of learning." unlike some other automakers who refuse to learn.
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jharlan 12:55PM (4/21/2009)
These guys are deadly serious, and from what I have seen so far deadly capable.
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shopa 1:20PM (4/21/2009)
Please see my invention that will make this car safer.
www.safersmallcars.com
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Dilip 2:00PM (4/21/2009)
Ha! The Tata's saying they are environmentally conscious is a facade. They have been involved in environmentally dangerous projects for years.
Here are a few
Building a soda ash project at the worlds largest Flamingo breeding ground. Luckily after protests they pulled out
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2007/30/local_news_8.htm
Building a port near India's largest Olive Ridley turtle nesting ground. They've refused to do a proper study
http://greenpeace.in/turtle/tata-port-project-backgrounder
Tata has also had a long, controversial history of environmentally disastrous projects like their disastrous soda ash plant in Mithapur in Gujarat. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-251012,prtpage-1.cms
One could go on, and on, but I'm only allowed to post 3 URLS :)
The Nano in itself of course will lead to increased traffic on already crowded Indian roads, and rising petrol prices.
It would have been better if they had spent research money on coming up with a cheap electric/hybrid car.
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jjcentral 2:12PM (4/21/2009)
I believe that the Nano is just a start. Once people get comfortable seeing Nanos on the street Tata would move its focus to EV-Nanos and hybrid ones. Tata has gained its respect and attention from the world by creating a popular car. Its advisable that the Indians use the acknowledgment wisely and build a line up to compete with the world market head on.