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Although the hatchback Indica, launched in December 1998, helped clear the good-for-only-trucks air surrounding Tata, it was the Nano - the sub-USD 2,500 car - that made the global auto industry stand up and take notice of the company that was set up in 1945 to manufacture locomotives.
In 1954, Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co Ltd began manufacturing medium commercial vehicles along with Daimler Benz A.G of West Germany.
The Nano, unveiled at the ninth Auto Expo in New Delhi in 2008, is possibly the world's most anticipated car since the original people's car Ford Model T.
"The most talked-about car at the Detroit auto show (2008) is a car that isn't here and isn't intended to ever be sold in US showrooms," wrote the ‘USA Today’ after the Nano was unveiled.
Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said that he plans to export an upgraded version of the Nano to eastern and western Europe, the UK and possibly to the US as well.
"From today onwards, the product will be available in the showrooms. We hope this day we will usher in a new form of transport," Tata said at the commercial launch.
Tatas previewed their small-wonder at last year's Geneva Motor Show and again at 2009's edition with the variant that complies with European emission and safety standards. The car is expected to be launched in Europe by 2010-11.
The snub-nosed car, which has its 623-cc engine in the rear (a first), can carry four passengers, has a fuel economy of 23.6 km per litre and most of all is affordable to the masses.
Tata Group Chairman has hinted that the base variant of Nano would be available for just Rs 1,00,000 and customers would be able to book it with an upfront payment of Rs 2,999 between April 9 and 23.
The company is expecting two-wheeler users to switch to four wheels.
Tata said that the demand for two-wheelers was in the range of six-seven million units and he expected demand for the Nano to be around one million.
The commercial launch of the vehicle was more a moment of pride for Tata, whose Nano left global car makers searching for answers.
Renault-Nissan announced plans to launch a budget family car but have since put them on hold given the global economic slowdown.
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Mahatma Gandhi never used to wear shirt because 40 crores of people could not do that, 65 years ago. Today, every family / person wants a car. Do we deserve to be called as disciples of Mahatma Gandhi? What about other factors like, no parking areas, traffic jams, burning of excess fuel, air pollution. Nano car is the business of Ratan Tata but Indians have to consider side effects of this business. Mamata Banerjee did a good job for WB.
Awesome Tata Motor!! It is going to be a dream comes true for many Indians to drive a car. I think Tata will play it with limited release a year to have the demand high. One side effect I can see is traffic with this affordable price car for all, Government need to plan a lot for our future traffic.I read few reviews and every one’s comment was good, I am sure with next release they will fix a lot.It has stunned US people. I read an article that they are planning for Nano Europa in Europe and if possible in US by 2011. Even though if it comes for $5000 with safety needs like air bags... it will be a great way to go...
One small car by Tata, one giant acceleration for the nation.
Ratan Tata ! You have done a great job! CONGRATULATIONS. Now, Please construct your European version of the Nano , I want to be the first customer to drive your Nano on the German Autobahn!! believe me I will do your car proud !!
India should be pround about Tatas. They have done yeomen service to the country. Awarding the title of Bharat Ratna to the company (a first) and to Ratan Tata is the least the country should do now.
The Nano's achievements will be twofold : (1) Traffic congestion will increase and (2) the accident rate will go up. The Nano was not a priority in the list of India's needs. Tata could have put his money and his energies better into what the country really needed, after consulting the Planning Commission. He would have done a real service to India.
Nano is a great achievement of TATA. It has made India proud. In the process Naremdrabhai also played a key role. Hail Nano, hail Tata and hail Modi!
Congratulaions India! Nano is a massive foot forward in the world of automotive engineering. Tatas have redifined the meaning of leadership . The compnay has the next challange to revolutionize the public transport. The company has very capable leadership to achive this feet as wel
But how is TATA going to make sure that people who book/get the nano are going to be the first time car owners? People already owning 1 or more cars are also going for it. And if hitherto 2 wheeler users are not going to get nano due to heavy rush, then the whole ideology of manufacturing an 'affordable' car is defeated. They should see tthat the prference for booking would given to first time car buyers for whom it is a dream to own a 4 wheeler, as Ratan Tata himself promised to provide cheap car to middle/lower middle calss people.
Nano certainly it is people's car - but my personal opinion is that in spite of introduction of Metro trains in Delhi - THERE IS STRONG AND URGENT NEED TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHICH WILL VIS-A-VIS LESSEN THE BURDEN ON ROADS AND DAILY ROUTINE TRAFFIC SNARLS - IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES ALSO - ANY BODY LISTENING PLEASE
TATA and BAJAJ should be sued for biggest polluator of India, Instead of creating NANO , we high speed metro in all big cities.. Nope TATA is not interested .
I want to know the actual price of NANO , and also Booking details.
I Want to know about booking of NANO
Shifting the IPL to a different country is a bad decision. The government and the IPL management could have gone for some other dates which are convenient for the country to provide security. If shifted, can it be called the INDIAN Premier League? It would be no longer Indian. Of course it could be an Indian overseas business venture. The shifting may give wrong signals to others about lack of understanding between the government and the sporting body. The IPL management should have given consideration to the government’s view about the security problems and should have considered postponement rather than shifting. The Indian cricket fans and the IPL are the losers. That a sporting body of the country cannot go with the government and cannot appreciate the genuine problem is something one cannot understand. The IPL management may reconsider its decision and conduct the matches during some convenient and relatively safer time.