Tata Motors launched their new Nano microcar at Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi a couple of days ago. At 100,000 rupees, the Tata Nano is currently the world’s cheapest car…about the same as a boxful of Apple iPod nanos. The Chery QQ seems to be next cheapest at 29000 RMB. Another list is available at The World’s Cheapest Cars.
With a fuel efficiency of 50 mpg, the Nano is about the same as the current champ, the Toyota Prius, but at about 1/9th the cost.
What, with a looming economic slowdown/recession, rising demand for oil, coupled with Peak Oil, and all that jazz, there likely to be a Nano-esque vehicle in your future.
Tata Motors unveils the People’s Car – press release, Jan 10 2008
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yaay nano nano!
I pray that Nano should work and also improve on safety,technology,amenities etc.all the while maintaining the price….well if indians can do it …..americans,germans,japanese etc can do it…..perhaps even better.
I pray that Nano should work and also improve on safety,technology,amenities etc.all the while maintaining the price….well if indians can do it …..americans,germans,japanese etc can do it…..perhaps even better.
Interesting observation. While the Tata Nano has been engineered to keep its cost abysmally low, the creation services a need. Unlike the iPod Nano, that services a want!
I think the car industry needed something like this to come along and prove that affordable cars are out there. I do think, that safety and workmanship could be brought into question.
Nano is certainly a step in the right direction. I wish they’d make this car a little bigger, though. It looks like a bunch of clowns are about to jump out of it.
“What, with a looming economic slowdown/recession…” Certainly a dead-on prediction. Gadgetmaniac = Nostrodamus!
if everyone drove nanos, at least it’d be a lot easier to find a parking space!
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