2,500 people's car

[slowhand]

NEW DELHI (CNN) -- An Indian car manufacturer unveiled its much-anticipated $2,500 "people's car" on Thursday -- a four-wheel passenger vehicle which it hopes will provide a much-needed transportation option for the poor.
art.tata.gi.jpg



Tata Motors is billing the Nano as the world's least expensive four-wheel vehicle, with the first batch to hit the Indian market in the second half of this financial year.

Skeptics have questioned whether the car meets safety and emissions standards.

Others are concerned that the ultra-cheap vehicle could dramatically tax India's already poor infrastructure and contribute to the country's existing urban gridlock.




http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/01/10/india.car/index.html?section=cnn_latest

 

[Kingfisher]

So it's almost like a motorcycle with slightly more protection. I'd buy one just for short errands.

 

[AFA]

Both Toyota and either Honda or Nissan said they were planning $4000 and $5000 cars. I don't have that link anymore but found these;

Nissan Races to Make
Smaller, Cheaper Cars

Tokyo-based Nissan, 44% owned by Renault SA of France, has embarked on a particularly aggressive strategy. Nissan, whose fortunes surged on its big SUVs and high-performance sports cars, now is trying to reinvent itself as a maker of low-priced "entry cars" aimed at the developing world's hordes of first-time drivers. Far behind the leaders in China, Nissan is trying to forge ahead in India and other emerging markets, where it says it plans to offer a stylish car for $7,000 to $10,000 as early as 2010 and then will try to get its starter price down to $5,000. It's even exploring a venture with a maker of electric rickshaws to make a $3,000 car.

There also has long been a $5,000 car in India, built by Suzuki and its Indian partner, Maruti Udyog Ltd., whose joint venture holds more than half the entire Indian car market. The Maruti 800 lacks the pizzazz Nissan seeks. Its rudimentary design is basically unchanged since it was introduced in 1983. It took around 10 years to become profitable, eventually accounting for nearly 80% of cars sold annually in India by the mid-1990s, but its peak may have passed. Last year Maruti Suzuki's slightly more upscale new model, the Alto, which sells for $700 more, was twice as popular.

http://www.mindfully.org/Industry/2007/Smaller-Cheaper-Cars22oct07.htm

A couple of days before the show, Renault unveiled the Logan, the "$5,000" car it has been developing with its Romanian subsidiary Dacia. A car for emerging markets, Renault's manufacturing chief Georges Douin revealed that the sedan would also be available in western European markets.

"Although the base model is $5,000, top specification vehicles well range up to $8,500, and as everyone knows the best margins come with the most expensive models."

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3012/is_10_184/ai_n6261217
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3012/is_9_182/ai_92285261

 

[Vanilla Bear]

They said it will cost 1.700 €

 

[Friday on my mind]

"AP reported that in 2005, Indian vehicles released 219 million tons of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.
By 2035, that number is projected to increase to 1,467 million tons, due largely to the expanding middle-class and the expected rise of low-cost cars, according to the Asian Development Bank.
The cheaper and cheaper vehicles become, the quicker those pollution levels will increase," Leather told AP. "

Thats the part that caught my eye in that story.But global warming is a liberal lie so nothing to worry about right?:eek:

 

[cartman24]

wow, that thing is tiny, I can't imagine it would be too comfortable. It can't possibly be very sturdy.

 

[georges]

It is ugly, I prefer a vw polo over this car. That car must have a crappy quality of built kinda like the Maruti had.

 

[D-rock]

It doesn't look like much, but on the bright side it's cheap and if something goes wrong with it will be easy to push.

 

[Vanilla Bear]

It is ugly, I prefer a vw polo over this car. That car must have a crappy quality of built kinda like the Maruti had.

But youll never get a Polo for 1.700 €

You barely get the Fox for about 9.000 €

 

[Will E Worm]

Way too small. It would fail here.

Looks like garbage to me. :tongue:

 

[AFA]

Electric only vehicles are really starting to come into their time in history. Not only do some of them accelerate very quickly 0-60 or more in 6 seconds or so, they do 200+ miles without a charge. That coupled with current solar cell technology could get them a bit further, but that's just the start. First thing is to get someone in the White House that isn't so big oil friendly.

Someone with Canadian plates comes about 1800 miles to vacation near here in a Smartcar. Tiny, but looks comfortable when I saw it parked in a supermarket lot.

 

[ai-ni-ichi]

i'd rather spend £1500 on the car i've got just now.

 

[Theopolis Q. Hossenffer]

Comparable to the orginal Model T. Cheap car to get people on the road. Then the upgrades start. Gotta start somewhere. We all know that India and China's population are not going to be riding water buffalos and scooters forever. The important thing is to get the "Peoples" cars started being made as clean as possible and yet be affordable. That is the real challenge.

 

[Facetious]

No, Thanks.

The thought was nice ~

 

[marquis2]

It is ugly, I prefer a vw polo over this car. That car must have a crappy quality of built kinda like the Maruti had.

Dear God , any car beats the VW Polo

 

[trunk_monkey]

How are you suppose to get someone pregnant in that?

 

[D-rock]

How are you suppose to get someone pregnant in that?

I suggest both of the people involve start working on their flexibility. A sunroof might help also.

 

[om3ga]

They said it will cost 1.700 €

or £1275.00

Considering that Ford announced Tata is the likely buyer for Jaguar, I'm hoping to get one of these Jags for the same price....

 

[AFA]

Another thing to consider is that the Yugo 20 years ago cost $4000 and was a bargain. Hyundai got it's real start within the US with the Excel for about $5000 at that time, which was less than $1500 difference to the more expensive Toyota Corolla. Those cars sold although Hyundai was and is a major heavy equipment manufacturer. The Yugo was not very good quality.

Now 20 years later to offer a car from a major manufacturer for that same $4-$5000 is incredible. Quality is pretty well assured.

Honda in Japan was offering the City 20 years ago, that was said to get 65 mpg. Renault has a car only offered in Europe and French territories that is also small and inexpensive. The problem in the US, is that like everything else, small, efficient cars are not considered safe on the highways packed bumper to bumper with monster cars, because there never have been any restrictions on auto manufacturers to make fuel efficient vehicles.

Instead like everything wasteful they do, they make giant behemoths that carry your living room set around with you when you go to the deli to buy milk. There is never any foresight in the US to be conservative and look to and plan for the future. Look at freaking Social Security.

 

[Legzman]

they need to make those here. I need a car but I don't want a car payment