Tata wants to bring the Nano to the US within two years
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano Europa
Ever since Tata Motors announced plans to build a $2,500 car, speculation has been rife about whether the car would ever make it to the U.S. At the annual meeting of the company this week, Ratan Tata made it clear that the little Nano will indeed come to America if he has anything to do with it. The Nano is currently undergoing modifications and testing to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. The U.S. version will likely be based on the Nano Europa that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
In addition to a model that meets American regulations, Tata is reportedly working on other variants, including a more powerful two-door and even a MINI Clubman-esque wagon. Even the existing four-door will get more powertrain options like all-electric and hybrid drive. The hybrid is likely of the micro-hybrid auto start-stop variety. Tata is also a licensee of the MDI's compressed air drive technology and is working on a Nano-based application. Thanks to Jaz for the tip!
Gallery: Tata Nano
[Source: Indian Autos Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark 1:52PM (6/07/2009)
Wow, imagine a $2500 car upgrade with Lithium Ion batteries / compressed air and good safety technology it could come out for less than $10,000, now that would blow the opposition out of the water.
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Dave 4:36PM (6/07/2009)
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-bodacious-tatas-indian-automaker-debuts-nano-euro/
The Europa differs significantly from the standard Nano with a longer 2.28-meter wheelbase (90 inches, or about 7.5 inches longer), a different drivetrain and added standard equipment. In fact, the Europa offers a raft of high-end new-to-Nano features like four-lug 14-inch alloy wheels, electric power steering, LED lighting (unlikely to see production) and even a standard passenger-side mirror. Did we mention it even has an all-aluminum three-cylinder engine and a five-speed transmission for less-dangerous highway cruising?
All joking aside, the Europa also figures to get more safety features, including stability control and anti-lock brakes, and Tata says the car will adhere to all necessary safety regulations before it goes on sale.
While pricing has not been announced, there is talk of hitting the 5,000 Euro bogey (around $6350 USD) when the car launches for 2011, and if the company can hit that target price, we suspect there will be far more Tata Europas extant than Lotus Europas in just a few months' worth of production. High-res gallery of both yellow and silver Europas below, official press release after the jump.
Brian 8:26AM (7/06/2009)
Well I am all for this car coming out here. Of course the reason cars like this don't sell well here in the US isn't because of dealers or even the manufacturers. Its because people here are spoiled, lazy pigs who only want cars that isolate them from everything and intimidate those around them. All you have to do is look at every inexpensive car that has sold here to see what happens. The Chevette, Festiva, Neon and alot of others start out sensible and over the next few years become bloated and expensive. It comes from the "gimme" mentality that alot of people here have. I see it in alot of other countries too so no one else has any room to talk these days either. Unfortunatly this car will show up $7000 dollars more expensive and take away everything that makes it appealing in the first place, i.e, price and simplicity. It's a shame......
Sasparilla 4:21PM (6/07/2009)
If they can get that little thing through the safety testing (through it, not do well), they'll certainly sell a bunch of the little things (there were alot of Yugo's sold several decades ago even though its limitations were pretty well known), if they can actually satisfy demand in the markets its already promised in first (that's already alot of production).
Be interesting to see how this plays out.
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Rahul 4:22PM (6/07/2009)
I wonder if the Indian Tata Nano will satisfy the safety norms prevailing in United States. Propably Tata Motors will have to increase the size of the vehicle to make handle the US regulations.
Rahul
Indian Car Advisor (Carazoo.com)
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win39 7:52PM (6/07/2009)
Size was not a barrier for the SMART car.
Rain 7:21PM (6/07/2009)
If only GM and Chrysler had had Ratan Tata at the helm instead of the imbecile Wagner and the idiot CEO from Home Depot than a lot of misery from lost jobs,foreclosures and credit defaults could have been avoided.
The Tata Europa here in large numbers would go a long way towards stopping the hemorrhaging of Petro dollars as seen last year when the outflow of cash topped 44 billion dollars for Oil alone.
The tiny Tata should help families keep more money in their own pockets,allowing them to spend that money locally,raising their standard of living and creating jobs in the process.
I can't wait to pimp one for Myself in Dupont's Hot Hues Red Hot Meltdown #745658.
I hope that the US version becomes as popular here as a tuner as the Yugo is in the Russian states.
Maybe an factory options list from Tata dealers,is a profitable idea?
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Nick P. 10:13PM (6/07/2009)
Two huge problems Tata doesn't have:
1) Auto Unions -- Yes, treating your employees well does cost money. I also think they have an influence on non-Union US factories.
2) Car dealers -- They are the one refusing to sell inexpensive cars because they get lower margins. Let's see what kind of quality dealers Tata can attract. Here in Canada, the Lada (cheap Russian-made cars) dealerships were always dodgy places.
Good luck Tata.
downtoearth 8:04PM (6/07/2009)
It's amazing how little changes can improve the car overall appearance.
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jharlan 8:54AM (6/08/2009)
Old man Tata is no dummy, there is a market here for a cute mini car at a motor scooter price, and this thing is going to grab market share.
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jharlan 9:00AM (6/08/2009)
This little mini car is going to hit the market at $25K less than it's equivalent EV and you can buy gasoline until the cows come home for $25K. It's practical and t makes sense to me. I am an EV fan, but I am not dumb enough to pay $30k+ for a mini car. If old man Tata can pull this off it's a coup.
I will even bet that little car is easy on gas.
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Eric 9:29AM (9/10/2009)
I hope and pray this little big car will do for TATA what the Beetle did for VW.,if any company in this world deserves the best it should be the House of TATA's,for the Love and Corporate responsibilty it has given its people, its community,and for this great Land his ancestors proudly refered to as AAPRU INDIA.
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