Tata Nano - The People's Car

Tata Nano – the People’s Car

Indians rejoiced when Tata Motors unveiled the world’s smallest and cheapest car – Tata Nano at the 9th annual Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

Since then the Nano has been the center of attention. Tata Nano has been praised by media outlets saying that the Nano urges a new era of transportation for the Indian families.

The idea for Nano was conceived back in 2003, when Mr. Ratan Tata, the Chairman of Tata Industries wanted to change the face of automobiles on the Indian landscape where only 8 people in a 1000 own a passanger car!

Whats the price of Tata Nano?

The Nano is also priced just right for the Indian consumer – a reasonable Rs. 100,000 [$2000]! While unveiling the car Mr Tata said that it will be the cheapest car the world has ever seen.

Although Tata aimed it to be the least expensive car, the cost of raw materials have increased considerably [approx 13% to 23%] and the challenge remains to keep the cost of the car from increasing.

The Nano has already made it to the Guinness Book of World Records when it comes to being the cheapest car!

Opposition to Tata in the State of West Bengal

Protesters burning Nanos effigy

While Tata has been the pioneer of industrial revolution in India it has faced serious opposition from within the?country over its manufacturing plant in Singur, West Bengal. The plant that provided employment to the locals was constantly attacked by Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee who threatened stalling the manufacturing plant. Protesters near Kolkata, the nearest city to the then manufacuring plant burnt effigy of the Nano in protest.

Finally, Tata Nano finds its Home – Gujarat!

Troubled by the constant agitations and closed plant Mr Tata announced that he’ll be pulling the plant from Singur. He was evaluating between 3 states – Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. But then finally he chose Narendra Modi’s business-friendly Gujarat as Maharashtra continues to have acute electricity problems.

Mr Narendra Modi welcomed Tata Nano and said that he’d [Modi] make sure that Tatas get what they want.

“It is stupid if you are not in?Gujarat?” – Tata

Praise from the Media

In a country where it is a dream come true to own a car, Tatas have made sure that the common man can finally afford a car. The Nano is fuel-efficient, confirms to the highest norms, cheapest car in the world and People’s Car as Tatas love to call it – what more would you expect for $2ooo?

The media has whole-heartedly praised Tata’s efforts in successfully launching the car inspite of all the turbulance it had to go through. Here are some of them -

I can say that alike other nations, entire?Europe?is also eagerly awaiting the commercial launch of Nano -?European Commission?s Director General for Energy and Transport,?Matthias Ruete.

Tata Nano?s launch could expand the Indian car market by 65%, according to rating agency CRISIL – Economic Times

Seldom does a single product introduction challenge the received wisdom in the industry so radically – CK Prahalad, Times of India