It turns out that this was a smart move, as sales of the Nano spiked reaching 5,784 units, which represents a 1,136% increase over the 509 units the company shifted a month earlier. This is still below the 9,000 monthly sales record achieved in July, but it seems that the Nano is back with a vengeance for 2011.
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As previously reported, Tata Nano sales in India have dropped significantly in the past few month, with just 509 customers opting for the US $2,900 micro car, down from 9,000 in July. It seems that Indian buyers have higher aspirations and are moving away from the Nano, as the nation’s market is booming. Reliability issues and a few spontaneously combusting units didn’t help sales either.
To mend the situation, the automaker has extended the car’s warranty and launched a new TV ad, depicting the Nano as the most lovable thing of Earth. Hit the jump to watch the commercial.
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With economic growth at a staggering 9% per annum and a 22% year-to-date increase in car sales, Tata must have felt it was onto a sure thing. Things started out good, with 200,000 advanced orders for the sub-subcompact before its 2009 launch.
However, sales have been flagging these past four months with the Indian carmaker selling just 509 Nano’s in November, down from 9,000 in July.
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Despite its small size (it only measures 2.4 meters in length), the NT3 is a highly versatile vehicle, with multiple cabin configurations, also made possible by the center driving position. It uses a spaceframe architecture with crashbox, meaning that it's safer than it looks. Power comes from internal combustion engines or a hybrid powertrain.
Bursting into flames due to "faulty switches that caused smoke and plastic parts to melt" seems like a possible design flaw to me.
As for an update regarding Tata's Mumbai victim (Tata still can't determine the cause of the fire), Satish Purshotam Sawant wants some compensation for putting him and his family in danger...in the form of Rs 15 lakhs (1,500,000 Rupees or ~$33,700 US) and a Fiat Punto. Tata says no dice: it's either a new Nano or a full refund.
According to Indian news sites, the particular Nano was owned by insurance agent Satish Sawant who had just bought the car from a dealership in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, that provided him with a chauffeur as he -surprise, surprise- didn't know how to drive.
The German firm said that the sale of 25.6 million shares will generate approximately €300 million (US$401 million) of cash and earnings before interest and taxes, with around €265 million (US$362 million) to be accounted for in the first quarter of 2010.
Forster stepped down as the company's president after objecting to GM's decision to reverse a sale of its European operations to a Magna-led consortium.
Prior to joining General Motors in 2001, Forster worked for the BMW Group for 13 years holding various positions including that of Managing Director of BMW South Africa and was also on the Managing Board of BMW responsible for manufacturing.
In an official statement, Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Indian company said, "Tata Motors expects that Mr. Forster's induction will greatly facilitate its ambition towards being a truly international company."
The compact-size four-door saloon is based on the platform of the first Indian sedan, the Tata Indigo, and features a wheelbase of 2.700 mm. Neither Tata or Pininfarina have released any more information about the Pr1ma.
The pint-size four-wheel passenger car is said to seat up to five people, two at the front and three at the back.
Tata Motors makes it a point to note that the Iris Magic is "controlled by a steering that provides car-like on-road stability, while the hard roof, made of sheet metal, provides car-like safety" and that it also features "car-like clear lens headlamps and tail lights". If you've ever seen the tri-cycles in India, you'll understand why.
The Magic Iris, which is expected to go on sale in India later this year, is powered by a 0.6-liter water-cooled diesel engine producing 11.3-horsepower that allows the vehicle reach speeds of up to 55km/h or 34mph.
The same Indian firm that is one step away from acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover (see here) is making headlines around the world today with the presentation of the long-awaited Nano minicar or as many call it, the one lakh car ($2,500 or €1,700). Tata itself describes it as the “people’s car”.The no-frills 5-door mini is powered by a rear-mounted, 33HP strong, 624cc, two-cylinder gasoline engine. Power is transferred to the rear-wheels via a four speed manual gearbox. Measuring in at 3.1 meter (122-inches) in length, the Nano can seat -or at least that’s what Tata says, four adult passengers. While one wouldn’t expect any luxury or safety amenities at $2,500, Tata’s 70-year-old CEO and owner, Ratan Tata does support that, although affordable, the Nano is built to meet safety requirements and emission norms.
We know what your thinking, but look at it this way; better off being in the Nano than riding a scooter packed with four passengers, something not at all uncommon in India. As for the Western world, we seriously doubt that the Nano would have any success; even if it passed safety and emission standards and even if it did actually cost $2,500 –which it won’t in the West. Just the other day I went to look for a used car with a friend of mine outside Boston; for $2k he found a '01 Mazda 626 and for $3k, a loaded '97 Volvo S70 Turbo. What would you prefer? -Details and pics after the jump
Tata Press Release
A comfortable, safe, all-weather car, high on fuel efficiency & low on emissions
Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, today unveiled the Tata ‘NANO’, the People’s Car from Tata Motors that
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the 9th Auto Expo in
Stylish, comfortable
The People’s Car, designed with a family in mind, has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. It can comfortably seat four persons. Four doors with high seating position make ingress and egress easy.
Yet with a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, with adequate ground clearance, it can effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas. Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.
When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual’s preferences.
Fuel-efficient engine
The People’s Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.
Meets all safety requirements
The People’s Car’s safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tubeless tyres further enhance safety.
Environment-friendly
The People’s Car’s tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in
About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is
The company already distributes Fiat branded cars in
The Indian Tata Group, which has been confirmed by Ford as the preferred bidder for the British marques Jaguar and Land Rover (see here), is likely to name a top Ford executive in Via: Sunday Times
Following several reports last month that Here’s what to Lewis Booth, executive vice president – Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group (Chairman – Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Ford of Europe) said:
“Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more detailed level with Tata Motors concerning the potential sale of the combined Jaguar Land Rover business.”
"There is still a considerable amount of work to do, and while no final decision has been made, we will proceed with further substantive discussions withTata Motors over the forthcoming weeks with a view to securing an agreement that is in the best interests of all parties concerned."