Ratan Tata announced in 2003 that he is planning to launch the cheapest car in the world soon. In 2008, Tata Nano was displayed in an Auto Expo in New Delhi. It was welcomed by car lovers as the baby car. Considering the developing Indian economy, Tata Nano was launched by the Tata Group with a price tag of Rs.1 Lac 15 thousand as the price of the base model. It was supposed to be launched at a price of Rs. 1 lac (approx US$2000) when it was planned. However, the rising prices in the raw materials made it costlier during its launch in 2009. The first car will be delivered in July 2009. Nano has been also designed for the European market with European Standards. Maruti 800, which is currently the poor man’s car in India, has been around for more than 2 decades. The base model of the Maruti 800 is priced close to Rs. 2 lac (approx US$3,900). Does this mean that Maruti is getting a run for its money, enter Nano? The sales of Maruti 800 and Suzuki Alto have already dipped by around 20% after the launch of the Nano. People in India who used to buy second hand small cars are waiting for the Nano to be readily available rather than buying a second hand car for the same price or more. This has resulted in the price dip of Second hand Maruti 800s and Altos. The Nano Europa will be exported to UK and other European countries and this model will have better standards and improvements over its basic Nano brother. This version was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009.
The Nano is a hatchback Sedan which is extremely fuel efficient as recorded after test drives by authorized testers. The Nano is bringing a revolution in the new generation of cars. Auto Giants across the globe are waiting to see the performance of the Nano and its demand. They would then gear up to launch similar cars. It is a car for people who have been on bikes to reach work. It is a car for people who do not like to take their cars to crowded places. It is a common man’s car and considering the high booking numbers pre-launch, it can be very well stated that Maruti Suzuki will have to re-strategize their car production to face the new challenge called the “Nano”.
There is more to the Nano. Tata is planning to launch the Electric Version of the Nano soon. It will be empanelled with Solar cells too. This car will be called the E-Nano. This could be the world’s cheapest electric car and can start a revolution within the Auto industry world wide.
Critics and motor experts are waiting for the launch of this revolutionary car to find out how much does it help the economy and the ecology. Would the Nano really be able to provide a car to the regular biker? Let’s wait and watch.
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