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Chairman Ratan Tata drove the long-awaited car on to the stage at the Auto Expo in the capital and announced that it would have a dealer price of Rs 1,00,000 as promised five years ago, even though commodity prices had gone up. "That's because a promise is a promise," Tata said.
The car, a hatchback with a 624cc engine, is priced at about half that of the current cheapest car in the market, and is a sharp contrast to the luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands that Tata is negotiating to buy from Ford Motor.
The Nano will come in three variants -- standard and two deluxe models with AC. The standard car would be available for Rs one lakh (ex-showroom), while VAT and transportation costs are extra.
While critics had been sceptical throughout about the car meeting safety and emission norms, coming as it is at that price, Tata said he was happy to announce that Nano meets all norms as would a modern car.
The car is eight per cent shorter than Maruti 800 on bumper to bumper length, but is 21 per cent more spacious, claimed Tata.
Alluding to fears expressed by environmentalist R K Pachauri and green activist Sunita Narain that the car at that price would add more vehicles on the road leading to higher vehicular pollution, Tata said the 624 cc, 33 HP petrol engine meets Bharat Stage-III emission norms and can also meet the Euro 4 norms.
"Pachauri will not have a nightmare and Sunita Narain can also sleep," he quipped, while recalling that some people had suggested that the car should be called 'Pachauri' and some others said that it should be named 'Mamta' – probably referring to the position TMC leader Mamta Banerjee had taken against the setting up of the small-car project at Singur in West Bengal.
Commenting on the safety standard, he said the car has gone through a full frontal crash test as per norms.
The business baron silenced his critics 10 years ago when he unveiled Tata Motors' first car, the Indica hatchback.
His business acumen was again questioned as the truck and former locomotive maker hatched plans to build the world's cheapest car and buy Ford Motor Co's premium Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
But Tata has remained steadfast and successful: the Indica has sold more than 1 million units and Tata Motors has emerged as the preferred bidder for the luxury Ford brands.
On Thursday, the 70-year-old chairman of the Tata Group unveild the "People's Car", a mini 4-seater priced, as promised five years ago, at Rs 1,00,000 (dealer price), less than half the price of the cheapest car on the market.
"I have confidence in what we can do, provided we are critical enough about what we can do and we have a desire to improve," Ratan Tata had said in an interview.
"You have to have a belief that you can do something. You have to carry that belief through till the end or decide not to do it. What we should not do is a half-hearted job," he said.
The automotive world has taken note. Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Fiat have since said they are looking to build low-cost cars. On Tuesday, Ford said it would invest $500 million in India to make a small car.
And an alliance of Nissan and Renault, which has made a big success of its no-frills Logan sedan, is developing a $3,000 car with Tata rival Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Mr. Ratan Tata, I believe all the people do not need a car to have a continuous road-building and road-widening process in progress.They need better public transport. Are you or your Company contributing to increasing the existing public transport?So as to reduce the number of cars on the road...
Kudos, wish all the politicians in India will keep their promises like Mr. Tata.
Incapacity does before desires make a man poor otherwise there is nothing like poverty. I never had any desire to purchase any car keeping in view the price of cars in the market and competition due to incapability and incapacity of my own buying power, to afford maintenance beside traffic problems, sparing a space at home for it. For the reasons, I never desired to have any so far, remained comfortable and never felt myself poor till date. Now, I desire to have ‘Nano’ and start feeling myself poor. It may be happy news for all and again not for poor. Anyway, I wish good luck for the adventure and a step forward in the technology.
This car has worldwide potential! From Africa to Latin America to East Asia. Tata should move in quick as the Japanese are very good at copying.
Indians proved that they can be smart in developing technology for common man use. Wish to congratulate Mr Tata and team on this occasion.
Good Job by TATA. Now it is time for the RICH to CRY with loud mouths as pollution, etc. After all the RICH will be competed by the poor for space in the roads (How can the rich tolerate this). Else it was two wheeler and from now on it is four-wheelers every where. Good Mr. Tata, I salute your idea that low middle class people also deserve their families to be carried in CARS and NOT in dangerous two-wheelers.
I like to drive the car . and wanted to know how best is on indian road.
Tata has made it possible for middle class people to give a car away as a birthday present to loved ones!!!
ratan tata is a businessman with a heart of gold who not only thinksabout aam adami but delivers too.I salute him
wowo...finally my dream of buying a car is going to come true...just cant wait to get a hand on it...thank you shree Ratan Tata jee.
we are eagerly waiting for the release and congrats.When will it be come to market
I personally draw an inspiration from Sir Ratan Tata. No words to appreciate your vision and commitment. Wishing Tata all the success.
Ratan Tata, Hearty congratulations on fulfilling your well cherished dream
HEARTFUL CONGRATULATIONS
Hearty appreciation and greetings to TATA concern for the achievment. Great show
Mr Ratan Tata should be conferred with Bharat Ratna for his outstsanding support to Indian economy and bringing India into the global market with the most economic car in the world. A venture which nobody believed will materialize.
To Shri Ratan Tata, Sir, Hearty congratulations on fulfilling your well cherished dream. You have proved your acumen once again. You are simply great -Human, Visionary
Wonderful job. Truly commendable.
Heartiest congratulations to the jewel of modern India!Sir, may I request you and your dedicated team of magicians to focus on developing a model two/four wheeler that would work on ecofriendly fuel like ethanol/hydrogen etc.You have already proved yourself to be a diifferent person than other industrialists in India.It would be our fortune if we could see you setting an example for environmentalists of blending development with eco-care.may you live a very long life, inspiring Indians globally.
Congrats to Shri Shri Ratan Tata and co.
Mr. Tata is India's Henry Ford.
Congratulations to all the people who made this a great success. Its a matter of proud for us (Indians) that we proved it to the world. Those who were not even expecting such a car can now see it running on our roads and trust that we can achieve what we dream. Congratulations once again to all who joined their hands to create the history.
Mr. Ratan Tata is a genuine Ratan (Jewel) of India. In comparison the whole lot of the politicians are mud.
Respected Ratan Tata ji ....Congrats To Tatas .. I request Tatas to undertake building BIG ROADs for these small cars since it is bound to become no.1 selling car overtaking Maruti .Pl do something sir .. Only you only can help to solve India's road problems .Wishing you a great success .
We were once that family on the street with Scooters and four people barely clinging on the two wheelers seats completely exposed to the elements. Thank you Mr. Tata for your vision and your team's hard work in realizing it. With this car you will make car ownership a reality for a majority of Indians and hopefully the world thereafter. Also all the best as you try and establish the Tata brand at the high end with your bid for Jaguar. You are the man!!!
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