Tata Nano heading to US by 2011 with $2,300 price tag

Tata Nano Europa - med res

European launch also set for 2011

By Michael Gauthier
June 8, 2009 2:40 PM
Filed Under: American, Asian, Pricing, Production, Tata

Tata has announced plans to introduce their highly publicized Nano mini-car in the US by 2011.

The $2,300 Nano features the basic necessities of motoring including an aluminum 2-cylinder 624 cc petrol engine with 33 horsepower, three exterior color choices, and a folding rear seat. Those willing to part with a few dollars more can opt for luxuries such as climate control, assisted braking, and fog lights.

Despite being as bare as an insane alyssum's white padded room, the Nano boasts a Toyota Prius beating 65 miles per gallon.

According to Ratan Tata, "It (the Nano) will need to meet all emission and crash standards and so we hope in the next two years we will be offering such a vehicle in the United States." For the time being, the Nano officially goes on sale in India next month with the first 100,000 owners being selected via a lottery.

Tata is also expected to launch the Nano in Europe in 2011 and is currently studying a variety of alternative powertrains including diesel, biofuel, and electric propulsion.

Source: cnn.com

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Tags: Tata Nano, 2011 Tata Nano

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Comments

Honest1

June 8, 2009 2:59 PM

Not Too Bad, Looks Ok In The Photo. Maybe They Will Do What Mercedes Did With Smart Sell It From The Same Showrooms, In This Case Sell It From Jaguar Showrooms.

EDavis

August 7, 2009 10:30 PM

It is with great pleasure that I recall the last time I saw a Tata...

Lets just say that it was a very enjoyable evening for both parties involved.

Prince_Ash

June 8, 2009 3:14 PM

2,300$ for a car ? i can see more kid drivers on the road when this comes out. -sigh-

cemi

June 8, 2009 3:36 PM

I don't think this thing is going to work. Its too embarrassing to drive, and the engine is too small for America. Prius beating mileage? Where's the comparison. That is a full saloon car with tons of space and many "luxuries" on board. A wheel chair with a motor on it is bound to get a better mileage than that.

hata0101

June 8, 2009 11:16 PM

yea...Americans laugh on Japanese cars when they first enter the US market, Americans felt embarassed to drive the Hyundai Excel back then...yea, keep laughing... wake up, Americans!

cemi

July 3, 2009 5:37 PM

Oh please give me a break hata0101, the japanese and koreans succeeded because they brought something into the market that wasn't there, reliability. In the old days cars were supposed to break down, the japanese changed that. What is this invalid carriage going to bring?

adz612

June 8, 2009 3:42 PM

as much as i want to see the nano succeed, taking it to the US would be a bad idea. No American would be able to fit into it seeing as the average American is fatter than a house

Renegade

June 8, 2009 4:03 PM

Ugly piece of crap.

How many of us, fat americans will fit in it?:p Now really, who will buy it?

Edited by user on June 8, 2009 at 4:10 PM

pscs

June 8, 2009 4:11 PM

I'm more concerned about the safety than anything else...

afterace2

June 8, 2009 4:23 PM

This euro spec could look preety cool in 3 door version. But yes, the safety is the main thing I am wondering about.

Edited by user on June 8, 2009 at 4:24 PM

carcrazy1234

June 8, 2009 4:48 PM

if an american chooses to drive this... the fuel mileage on this thing would go down significantly. it'll go from 65 to at least 30 maybe less hahahha

madness

June 8, 2009 9:22 PM

Thats the thing, an american probably wont choose it because its manual, and we all know what happens to the clutch of a manual rental car after an american is finished with it!!! hahahah anybody smell clutch smoke?

Vlad

June 8, 2009 5:05 PM

Maybe GM will build this on contract basis for Tata for the US market...

N20_Purge

June 8, 2009 6:02 PM

For some reason, this Europa version looks alot better than the stock one. It could be a future classic. Note the word 'could.'

Siawa

June 8, 2009 6:02 PM

With 33 horsepower, I don't think you can drive this on American Highways. It's probably gonna be a "picking up kids from school / grocery shopping" car.

Renegade

June 8, 2009 7:15 PM

It cold be used as shopping cart.

Bremen_Koenigsegg

June 8, 2009 6:47 PM

I notice it has an interior. Wouldn't they be able to sell it for less if they didn't bother with interior door panels and a dash? And legally, I don't think you need BOTH wing mirrors. Wipers needn't be electric, either. Why didn't they consult me when designing this thing? In addition (or subtraction, rather), does it really NEED all four wheels? =P My only real concern is, all new cars need airbags, don't they? Even supposing they can get them cheap, that alone represents a significant portion of the vehicle's cost. If they brought this to Ontario, it'll probably be considered a "motorcycle" under our retarded MTO for emissions (and maybe safety) purposes, and it'll therefore cost us $450/mo. in insurance.

mroctober

June 8, 2009 8:00 PM

I thought it was absurd at first, then after some pondering, it started to make some sense. I wouldn't mind getting one for in-town driving (under 40mph) if the comfort/safety level is up to par. I feel guilty every time I need to drag a two and a half ton metal to get cream cheese from nearby super market.

mroctober

June 8, 2009 8:05 PM

I'd recommend making it two door and beef up the cabin with airbags all around

eric_92

June 8, 2009 9:46 PM

make it a 2 door, maybe even a 2 seater car, then the proportions of the car could work very well, and with the money you save on the doors and seats use more safety equipment.

joshg_5

June 9, 2009 6:24 PM

but it would raise economies of sca.e and raise costs of production. like the model T, cheaper to build lots of one thing than few of many. cost savings transfered to consumer

hata0101

June 8, 2009 11:12 PM

first Japanese, then South Korean, upcoming Chinese...now from India! applause to them all 'coz they providing some compact/ sub-compact/ micro car for city commuters THAT make more sense & environmental friendly then those big-ass SUV or something. btw, where is GM's Spark? still not done yet? LOL

DieselDog

June 9, 2009 1:37 AM

I believe the Nano would be a very good alternative vehicle for two-ton SUVs for several groups: City/urban dwellers who travel up to 10 miles to work through dense, slow-moving city traffic and who need to arrive clean, comfortable, and dry to their profession despite the weather; Rural dwellers who need to "get to town" and back for whatever reason; and drivers who make frequent minimal-mile trips. This car could change how many view inexpensive transportation. Nice job!

500lbman

June 9, 2009 2:26 AM

I'll have a small block V8 and some 22's on this thing in no time.

joshg_5

June 9, 2009 4:25 AM

I've done a lot of studying on this car over the past year. Conclusion, it's amazing and will revolutionize the world of transportation!

I'm buying one as soon as I can.

Renegade

June 9, 2009 5:26 PM

Ur on crack or what? Trust me, you will pay much more on healthcare after a few weeks driving it.

Edited by user on June 9, 2009 at 5:27 PM

politz

June 9, 2009 5:20 AM

America will buy it, believe me.

People spend $3,000 at Best Buy in a heartbeat. Just see it as an appliance, and it will make sense.

benzboy

August 1, 2009 11:39 PM

Politz, have to agree. this would or will be an appliance. I recently drove a Prius other than the excitment of driving an electric/sometimes car it gave me no joy, or satifaction other than the good gas mileage. It will never replace my SL 63 But it wont cost over a hundred and fifty grand either. Yes its just an appliance.

Oliver

June 9, 2009 11:26 AM

..remember my words: This car will never ever be sold for 2300$

Frank123

July 12, 2009 12:31 PM

@Renegade The car will be equipped with airbags,ABS with EBD etc.

It also passes US and European crash test ratings so as to be launched in these markets.

So,i don't see what you are bit*hing about.

What more do you want from the world's cheapest car? A V12??

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