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The Tata Nano: Will it Ever Launch in the U.S.?
What is the Tata Nano’s Price?
The Tata Nano is being released in India for the price of $2,000 US Dollars (Update: in 2012, it looks like the Tata Nano price is about $3,400 USD). It will easily carry the title of world’s cheapest car – by far. The Nano is garnering lots of news attention as being a ‘Contrarian’ vehicle. In other words, it’s small, cheap, and there is no excess in this vehicle. When you think about it, this is the perfect time for a vehicle like this to hit the market as global market conditions are really making people rethink their values and spending habits. But would you buy it?
Tata Nano Specifications
What do the Tata Nano base model specs look like?
Basically, an enclosed motorcycle with 4 wheels that includes:
- 2 cylinder, 33 horsepower engine that goes up to 65 mph max
- 1 windshield wiper
- 4 wheels
- An enclosed cabin
- Seats and seat belts
- All the widgets that make a car run
- Doors
- A few glued on parts – yes ‘glued’, as some of the body is glued, not welded on.
Tata Nano Models
There are a few different Nano models available
- The standard
- The CX – has AC
- The LX – has AC, power locks, and power windows
What Benefits Does the Nano Bring?
- 4 year warranty
- It gets 55.5 mpg
- It uses a lot less materials than other cars
- It’s easy on your pocketbook – financially speaking, you’re getting a vehicle at the total cost of less than what most vehicles cost for one year of ownership
- It will be a market changer by challenging other automakers to produce cheaper vehicles
What are the Downsides of the Nano?
- It’s going to allow a lot of people who couldn’t afford cars before to buy cars – leading to more pollution and materials waste
- How long is it going to last with the cheap materials that are put into it? Tata recently recalled the Nano to replace the starter motor.
- It will increase congestion in large metro areas
- It’s not the safest car – no airbags, cheap materials, and I’d hate to see how it would fare in a collision with a truck. However, it did pass initial crash tests in Europe.
Would I Get a Nano?
Depending on my situation, I might. I’m sure the Indian Nano’s American counterpart won’t be anywhere near $2,000 when (or if) it hits this market, but if it’s anything around $5,000 or less, I would seriously consider it – but only as a vehicle to get around town. However, I’d probably just stick to riding a bike to work instead and use another vehicle that is OK on the highway.
It definitely is a market changing vehicle in lower income geographies, so I’m excited to see the positive influence the vehicle will have on U.S. competition.
Tata Nano Discussion:
- What’s the most you’d pay for a Nano?
- What would your concerns with the vehicle be?
- Would you buy a Nano? Take the poll:
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My name is G.E. Miller and 
Yeah, I’d buy the Nano. I’d want more safety features though, and I doubt you will see it in the U.S. for anything less than $7,500, but I’d probably spend up to $5,000 as it is right now. Wouldn’t make it a primary vehicle though, just something to drive to and from work or something.
I’d certainly consider it, especially if it was still “cheap enough” to make sense. I have to drive a lot given my location, so increasing my fuel efficiency would have a rather substantial effect on both my personal finances and the environment.
Plus, hopefully girls will think it’s cute.
I would buy it if it got a 4 star or better crash test safety rating previously i was looking at the smart car but that did not get very good safety ratings either.
I don’t really know if I would purchase it or not. I can’t imagine that it had the greatest crash test ratings and since I see one wreck every time I head home from work in the evening, I would be very nervous driving it around. For me, the cost is not the issue – knowing I am somewhat safe if some crazy person decides to run me over is. =)
I would consider it as soon as other peoples behavior changes. I would not feel comfortable driving that knowing that at any given time a soccer mom on her cell phone in a Hummer could kill me. At least in a larger car I stand a better chance.
I think it still makes more sense, environmentally and economically, to fix up older, safer cars. Recycling existing resources makes more sense than producing cheaper ones. Glued on body parts? Yeah good luck, I’ll stick to a motorcycle until then.
When you think about it, cars in India are already somewhat cheap and the parts like airbags etc. are not there in most vehicles. For example Maruti already sells its 800 at Rs. 175000. Nano will cost around 125000. Improvement but if it is very inferior quality wise people may not actually fall for it
compare the text above with the economics of owning a scooter vs a car(http://20somethingfinance.com/blog/2009/05/03/the-economics-of-owning-a-motor-scooter-vs-a-car/)
and take your conclusion…
i took mine: i’ll buy a scooter/mopet!
I would want to buy that vehicle. It looks cool.
Why can’t we order one from india????
I think on the next future Tata Nano would be followed by other car makers to make cheap cars
I think Nobama is a total ass to *FORCE* a *SINGLE* person that want to commute to work, to buy a $10k 5-door, over ONE HUNDRED HORSEPOWER car, that does 30mpg!!!!
Talk about being “Anti-Green” (like in anti-matter)!!!!
I don’t have the cash, but I’d buy the existing Nano right this instant, on my Visa! Would pay for itself in a year or 2.
This is what the US needs to open there eyes to. No one can afford the cars today, and yet we talk of saving gas,polution,roads and here we are building high price, low miliage, high hp, and huge cars & trucks. Most which have no use except to try and impress others while they destroy the planet.