By now I assume that everyone in the sub-continent would have heard of the People's Car : Tata Nano and its impending impact on automobile industry.
Thanks to the facts used in promoting the car at its launch in 9th annual Autoexpo in New Delhi :
-Tata Nano priced at Rs.1.43L (on road) in bangalore saves you a cool Rs.80000 on its closest rival Maruti 800.
-The Nano has 21% more interior space and an 8% smaller exterior, when compared with the Maruti 800.
-Tata motors claim an excellent mileage of 23 kmpl.
Tata Nano is not all hunky-dory story. It has got its share of controversies around it :
-Its conceptualisation started in 2003 and many aren't happy with the design of the car. Many consider it is a 4 wheeled Auto.( Comes from the fact that its a back engine vehicle with storage space in the front )
-Environmentalists have predicted a steep increase in the Congestion and Pollution its going to add in the already crowded cities.
-Its safety has always been questioned.
-The manufacturing unit in Singur is severly opposed by the locals coz its going to throw about 15000 peasants out of their occupation and land/home.They fear low/no compensation.
And what about the competition in this segment of cars :
-Mahindra - Renault wants to come up with a 1.3L car.
-Not many know about the Wuling van by GM in JV with SAIC of China.
Its priced at $3700 USD and GM can use it to compete with Nano.
Whatever be the consequences of release of this car, one thing's for sure- A lot of middle class families in urban and sub-urban areas of India are going to jump on this dream vehicle from Tata's. And NANO in every sense of the word is going to change the way India travels.
Waiting for its release in the second half of this year ( like millions of others ),
CK
