The World's Cheapest Car

[Soul Sojourner]

MUMBAI (AFP) – India's Tata Motors on Monday launched the world's cheapest car, the Nano, hoping to revolutionise travel for millions and buck a slump in auto sales caused by the global economic crisis.

Company boss Ratan Tata said the no-frills vehicle, slated to cost just 100,000 rupees (2,000 dollars) for the basic model, will get India's middle-class urban population off motorcycles and into safer, affordable cars.

"I think we are at the gates of offering a new form of transport to the people of India and later, I hope, other markets elsewhere in the world," he said, describing the launch as a "milestone."

"The present economic situation makes it somewhat... more attractive to the buying public," he told reporters in Mumbai ahead of a glitzy official unveiling ceremony at 7:30 pm (1400 GMT).

Potential owners of the car -- which is just over three metres (10 feet) long and has a top speed of 105 kilometres (65 miles) per hour -- can apply between April 9 and 25, Tata managing director Ravi Kant said.

A ballot will then select 100,000 people to be the first to get the keys to the vehicle and deliveries will start in early July 2009, he added.

Even affluent Indians are eyeing up the Nano, which has a two-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering, although deluxe versions will be available.

"This is a value-for-money car," said Hasmukh Kakadia, 39, a Mumbai investment analyst.

Shares in Tata Motors on India's 30-share Sensex index jumped eight percent in early trade but finally closed 2.8 percent up on profit-taking.

Car dealers say they have been flooded with queries about the Nano, whose debut was delayed after violent protests over the acquisition of farmland to build the plant, forcing Tata Motors to shift from West Bengal state.

But the new plant in Gujarat in western India will not be ready until late this year or early 2010, Tata said, meaning production must come from existing factories, reducing output and increasing waiting times for deliveries.

Kant said 250,000 to 500,000 cars could be produced from the Gujarat plant from next year but admitted some customers may have to wait more than 12 months in the meantime to take possession of their Nano.

Tata, though, said pushing ahead with Monday's launch of the 20-billion-rupee project was the right decision.

The Nano's arrival comes at a tough time for India's top vehicle maker, hit by the economic slowdown at home and abroad as it tries to absorb the British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover that it bought last year for 2.3 billion dollars.

Tata is hoping the Nano will also be a hit overseas in the long term.

Earlier this month, the firm unveiled a European Nano sporting airbags and leather trim that will hit the market by 2011 but be costlier than in India due to the extra features.

A US version is also on the drawing board but requires redesigning to meet American safety standards.

Environmentalists, however, fear the Nano will accelerate congestion on India's already crowded, pot-holed roads and add to choking pollution.

"Every car that goes on the road is going to use road space. We're only adding to congestion," said Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN's climate panel, which won the 2007 Nobel Prize.

Tata countered by saying that the Nano would be the least polluting car in India.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090323/ts_afp/indiacompanyautotata_20090323144905

[420]

I saw that article this weekend. However, I live in California which means most of the time that I am driving, it's on a major highway surrounded by 18-wheelers and Humvees. As with toilet paper, I'd rather pay the extra money for more safety.

-420

[cuchulann]

With a top speed of 65 mph you woudn't want to take it on the highway anyhow. With only a 2 clyinder engine you would have to crank out some high rpm's to keep it up to speed, and then you can say goodbye to fuel economy. I imagine that the cost of meeting safety standards will far outstrip the car's actual value.

[Soul Sojourner]

With a top speed of 65 mph you woudn't want to take it on the highway anyhow. With only a 2 clyinder engine you would have to crank out some high rpm's to keep it up to speed, and then you can say goodbye to fuel economy. I imagine that the cost of meeting safety standards will far outstrip the car's actual value.

Perhaps where you live. However, that, as a summer car, would be excellent here. Land is almost completely flat, so few hills to worry about and no mountains. Also, there's not much for big cities around where I live, and if I wanted to go to one, why not use an alternative vehicle? This thing would be excellent for going to work and back every day. 11 miles to work, 11 miles back. Also, 65 miles an hour max is just fine. I don't often speed and take my time. Even on the highway where the limit is 65 I often go 60, 55. However, driving to any large city or traveling would need an alternate, 65 wouldn't cut it in those cases. Wouldn't want to get hit by a truck in that fucker, either. For the winter though, I'd need an alternate. Bet that thing can't get through the winter weather we get here. No fucking way. The deluxe or whatever sounds like a little bit better of an option though.

As for air conditioning... I currently drive a black dodge neon with none, I don't think that would be something I'd stress over. Haha, but it sure would be nice.

[420]

As for air conditioning... I currently drive a black dodge neon with none, I don't think that would be something I'd stress over. Haha, but it sure would be nice.

Pfft, my car doesn't even have power steering Mr. I Have A Painted Car.

-420

[Soul Sojourner]

Pfft, my car doesn't even have power steering Mr. I Have A Painted Car.

-420

I don't feel sorry for you, only because I can't ever picture you getting out of the house. No offense.

[420]

I don't feel sorry for you, only because I can't ever picture you getting out of the house. No offense.

Can you blame me? Look what happened last time I went out in public:

-420

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[Mercy]

haha I have a shirt with that picture on the back.