Worlds cheapest car goes on sale.
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7957671.stm
I hate to say this but I do like the look of it. I know it will have zero protection, crap engine, wood brakes and 20p Chinese tyres BUT to design and make a car for this price is amazing.
What it really needs is another maker to re-construct an uppermarket version or electric then perhaps it will have a future.
One thing it does not say on there is how much that is for the average family.
I hate to say this but I do like the look of it. I know it will have zero protection, crap engine, wood brakes and 20p Chinese tyres BUT to design and make a car for this price is amazing.
What it really needs is another maker to re-construct an uppermarket version or electric then perhaps it will have a future.
One thing it does not say on there is how much that is for the average family.
Isn't that Jaguar's new city car? I heard it was due to get launched in the UK in 2010 badged as a Jaguar - they are planning to take on the Smart, Aygo, 500, et al.
Rumour also has it that plans are already underway to fit a 4WD system in order to create a sub-Freelander level car. Land Rover feels they are missing out on market share to the Fiat Panda 4x4 and that a Nano 4x4 would allow entry into this lucrative end of the market.
Rumour also has it that plans are already underway to fit a 4WD system in order to create a sub-Freelander level car. Land Rover feels they are missing out on market share to the Fiat Panda 4x4 and that a Nano 4x4 would allow entry into this lucrative end of the market.
Can't help but think that something that brings motoring to the genuine masses is a mixed blessing.
On one hand, it'll make a lot of people's lives easier; notably people that wouldn't have even dreamt of car ownership before.
But let's not forget the environmental implications. And yes, I know this is not necessarily the usual web forum to discuss the same, but more cars will bluntly equal more CO2, etc.
Hmm. Tricky.
From a basic car-orientated point of view, I think the car's ace. Also Certainly going to be good knock on effects from the industry as a whole.
On one hand, it'll make a lot of people's lives easier; notably people that wouldn't have even dreamt of car ownership before.
But let's not forget the environmental implications. And yes, I know this is not necessarily the usual web forum to discuss the same, but more cars will bluntly equal more CO2, etc.
Hmm. Tricky.
From a basic car-orientated point of view, I think the car's ace. Also Certainly going to be good knock on effects from the industry as a whole.
Safe car by Indian standards perhaps.An article quotes an eventual European price of £4500 because thats whats needed to upgrade it for EU safety/emissions etc..
Also an upgraded engine to make it perform satisfactorily under European driving/road conditions. EU regs mean much added price.
Shame to a certain extent as it would provide a very basic entry to car driving at low cost - mind you - there are some excellent used cars about these days at stunningly low prices...
Also an upgraded engine to make it perform satisfactorily under European driving/road conditions. EU regs mean much added price.
Shame to a certain extent as it would provide a very basic entry to car driving at low cost - mind you - there are some excellent used cars about these days at stunningly low prices...
Also a very good point, sospan.
The european press getting excited about the car is only relevant on an overseas basis, and the immediate currency conversion figure doesn't actually mean a great deal when looked at from here in blighty.
The various necessary tweaks, together with shipping etc would probably make trying to import one not viable. The 'Europa' version at circa £4K is still cheap, but query as to whether it will be good enough to compete with the other (albeit slightly moer expensive) budget motors we already have.
But I guess the point is that it designed with India in mind...
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The european press getting excited about the car is only relevant on an overseas basis, and the immediate currency conversion figure doesn't actually mean a great deal when looked at from here in blighty.
The various necessary tweaks, together with shipping etc would probably make trying to import one not viable. The 'Europa' version at circa £4K is still cheap, but query as to whether it will be good enough to compete with the other (albeit slightly moer expensive) budget motors we already have.
But I guess the point is that it designed with India in mind...
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At £1400 it would fly off the shelf in this country as a cheap town car. At £4500, which is looking more like the realistic list price for a European spec and conformed car, it won't.
Does anyone know why the price will more than treble for the European market ie. what is the physical difference compared to the Indian market spec no frills car.
If the price was more towards £1400 I think this car could have a future in this country. At £4500 they shouldn't bother turning up IMO.
Does anyone know why the price will more than treble for the European market ie. what is the physical difference compared to the Indian market spec no frills car.
If the price was more towards £1400 I think this car could have a future in this country. At £4500 they shouldn't bother turning up IMO.
This take on the release of it made me laugh 
Had to extract as link wouldn't work!
"TATA, the Indian car giant, yesterday unveiled what it claims is the world's s
ttest mode of transport.
The company said the 'Nano' - Hindi for 'death turd' - is designed to be both affordable and a complete piece of st.
The car, to be built initially for the Indian market, will cost around £1200 - roughly 1200 times the average weekly wage and three times the price of a house.
The manufacturers have warned that in certain parts of the country it will be advisable to maintain the top speed of 43mph in a desperate attempt to avoid being chased down by hungry leopards.
The car has no air bags and no air conditioning, despite average Indian summertime temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
The company has also cut costs and increased the danger by removing the hand brake and filling the glove compartment with killer wasps.
Tata expects to sell more than 400 million Nanos, despite the fact that most Indians have absolutely nowhere to go.
Motor industry analyst Tom Logan said: "The Nano is likely to be the first in a range of incredibly dangerous pieces of st and is confirmation that Indians remain the world's most expendable people."
Had to extract as link wouldn't work!
"TATA, the Indian car giant, yesterday unveiled what it claims is the world's s
ttest mode of transport.The company said the 'Nano' - Hindi for 'death turd' - is designed to be both affordable and a complete piece of s
t.The car, to be built initially for the Indian market, will cost around £1200 - roughly 1200 times the average weekly wage and three times the price of a house.
The manufacturers have warned that in certain parts of the country it will be advisable to maintain the top speed of 43mph in a desperate attempt to avoid being chased down by hungry leopards.
The car has no air bags and no air conditioning, despite average Indian summertime temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
The company has also cut costs and increased the danger by removing the hand brake and filling the glove compartment with killer wasps.
Tata expects to sell more than 400 million Nanos, despite the fact that most Indians have absolutely nowhere to go.
Motor industry analyst Tom Logan said: "The Nano is likely to be the first in a range of incredibly dangerous pieces of s
t and is confirmation that Indians remain the world's most expendable people."Edited by One8Two on Thursday 2nd April 16:44 damn link won't work!
Edited by One8Two on Thursday 2nd April 16:52
I like the fact that the picture specifically points out that the windows "wind down by hand" as if that is the most amazingly primitive thing ever.
It was only 20 years ago that electric windows were seen as a luxury item!
It was only 20 years ago that electric windows were seen as a luxury item!
sider said:
Manual steering??
That's what it says.
Since when have they done automatic steering??
I think they mean unassisted steering. That's what it says.
Since when have they done automatic steering??
Edited by JonRB on Sunday 26th April 11:25
Oh, and another thing occurs to me. Everything on that annotated picture, apart from the engine and the dimensions, can be applied to the S1 Lotus Elise.
- No air conditioning on standard model
- Windows wind down by hand
- Manual steering, no air bag
- Plastic and adhesive replaces welding
- Bodywork made of sheet-metal and plastic (ok, ok, the Elise is mostly plastic)
sospan said:
Safe car by Indian standards perhaps.An article quotes an eventual European price of £4500 because thats whats needed to upgrade it for EU safety/emissions etc..
Also an upgraded engine to make it perform satisfactorily under European driving/road conditions. EU regs mean much added price.
Shame to a certain extent as it would provide a very basic entry to car driving at low cost - mind you - there are some excellent used cars about these days at stunningly low prices...
Emissions are not an issue. As a friend of mine who works at one the British Consulates over there pointed out (amusingly over a curry in this country), all new cars sold in India have to conform to the European emission laws.Also an upgraded engine to make it perform satisfactorily under European driving/road conditions. EU regs mean much added price.
Shame to a certain extent as it would provide a very basic entry to car driving at low cost - mind you - there are some excellent used cars about these days at stunningly low prices...
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