Update: production for the Tata Nano ended in 2018, after years of sales declines. The Nano never made it to the U.S. market. I’ll leave the rest of this article up for Tato Nano nostalgia and historical reference.
What is the Tata Nano’s Price?
The Tata Nano was released in India for the price of $2,000 US Dollars (Update: in 2021, it looks like the Tata Nano price is about $3,243 USD for the base Nano GenX XE model). 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, 624cc engine that goes up to 105 kpmh max
- CD/MP3/Bluetooth
- 1 windshield wiper
- 4 wheels
- An enclosed cabin
- Seats and seat belts
- All the widgets that make a car run
- 4 Doors
Tata Nano Models
There are a few different Nano models available
- The standard (GenX XE) – manual transmission
- The XM and XT – souped up versions of the XE
- fThe XTA and XMA – automatic easy shift transmission
What Benefits Does the Nano Bring?
- 4 year, 60,000 km warranty
- It gets 58.8 mpg (25 kmpl)
- 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?
- 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. Nano crash tests results are not good.
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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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’M NOT NOT AFRAID OF THAT SOCCER MOM IN THE HUMMER UNLESS SHE DOESN’T KILL ME THE CAR I NEED NEEDS ONLY GET ME BACK AND FORTH TO WORK 6 MILES THERE AND 6 MILES BACK ON STREETS NOT HIGHWAY IN SCHOOL ZONE AREAS DON’T SPEAK FOR THE POPULIC AT LARGE THE AREA I LIVE IN HAS ANIMAL PITFALLS AND SKUNKS.
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(https://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!
Please your dry wet ass scooter boy
I would want to buy that vehicle. It looks cool.
Why can’t we order one from india????
Can I order one today ?
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.
WTF are you talking about? Please stop doing drugs.
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.
AMEN sister! I’ve always leaned towards more efficient & reliable vehicles & the one time I stepped out to treat myself & bought a luxury car, I paid dearly in poor engineering, poor quality & ridiculously expensive parts costs. Never again. Give me an Echo, Corolla, Mirage, Fiesta or Civic any day!
I would sure buy one. I would like to know when they will be in the united States I wish I could buy one right now Bob.
Yes I would buy one today, I will be glad when they sell them in America I am from the united States In the State of Georgia. Bob.
I would like to buy one just let me know when they hit the USA market
I would trade my motorcycles for one, seems it would be safer. If U.S. is letting motorcycles be sold, it should also let the Nano, a more safe vehicle be sold. Probably just more corrupt “American” politics designed more to protect “American” companies.
I would like to buy one. I wish if nano cars were even cheaper than this.
Let us hope that the nano cars revolutionize the transportation of the world.
When can I buy one in Michigan, USA?
Most cramped, uncomfortable, and unsafe car I have ever seen so far. I am very sorry to say this but I don’t know how 4 people could fit in a car like this although I can be wrong. VERY UNREASONABLE CHOICE! I would highly advise looking for something else in terms of comfort, fuel economy, safety (practicality generally speaking). Not a practical car for anything in my opinion although people can and probably do have different views of thinking which is totally normal I guess.
I would buy one if it is a ‘convertable’ with a roll bar!!! no kidding,….I WOULD BUY IT AS A CONVERTABLE!!! (redjeff53@gmail.com)
Elio’s focus on safety and performance make it a clean winner over the Nano… that is if it ever gets produced!
I live on a very limited ,once a month,disability alotment check and my funds are very limited. I am 62 years old and drive a 2002 Dodge ram that gets around 18 mpg. My son bought it for me when my old Jeep died. My truck has about 150,000 miles on it and starting to have little problems. HECK YEAH, I’D BUY ONE. I pretty much drive local. from 5 to 16 miles one way. This little car would suit me just fine and I could use my 4×4 truck for winters if the weather gets rough here in the Catskill Mountains of New YORK.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE IN THE USA. I WILL SCRAPE UP THE MONEY SOME HOW. CAPT.SEAWEED AKA BOB.S.
I do not like the fuel consumption of it. I’d encourage battery systems, a 2 battery setting, when one battery is going, the other is charging through a sophisticated alternator as I invented.
Also make the car little wider and bumpers with inner hidden security systems for crash safety and external chrome designs similar as age old styles.
Please let me know when they come available in the United States because I will be FIRST in line to buy 2 of them!!!