Thursday 3 April 2008

Tata Nano - The little car that might change the world


The ultra-secret people's car for India - the Tata Nano - is here. How will this car change the way India, and the developing countries drive?

It will help India's huge two wheeler popular upgrade to a four-wheeler
Very affordable - priced a bit higher 2 125cc motorcycles in India
If popular, will clog roads in the cities
Establish a huge volume market that cannot be ignored by any large car manufacturer
40 patents by Tata Motors during development

The Nano is disruptive tech - make no mistake.
The world's car manufacturers have expressed all shades of opinion in the run-up to the Tata Nano. Suzuki has said that it is impossible, VW said it is not what they want to do. DaimlerChrysler said they think it is an important market Tata is trying to tap.
There was no way Tata could design a car the conventional way. So went at it on a clean slate. And seems to have pulled it off. The rear engined car will have a small boot for luggage storage in the front. In the process of developing the Nano, Tata Motors has added 40 patents to its kitty.
This car, if it becomes a hit, will make every auto company change the way it works and look at the volume market. Not only in India, but in entire Asia and every third world country. Offering mobility for the masses is big business. The VW Beetle did that, and so did Henry Ford

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