World's Cheapest Car Launches at $2,500
We may be half a world away at CES in Las Vegas, but this announcement out of the 9th annual Auto Expo in New Delhi certainly caught our attention. India manufacturer Tata officially unveiled what is now known as the Tata Nano. But whether you call it the Nano, the People's Car, the 1-lakh, or the $2,500 car it's still a feat of engineering.
Sure, for $2,500, you're forgoing a lot of comforts and features (no iPod dock or even power steering here). But what it lacks in modern technical amenities it makes up for in value. Despite the low price tag, this little car gets 54 miles to the gallon, and either meets or exceeds safety standards around the globe.
Interest note: Now that Tata is bringing automobiles to developing nations, it's looking to expand its reach in the opposite direction and has begun talks with Ford to purchase the luxury Jaguar brand.
From Engadget
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
No bunny @ Jan 10th 2008 4:21PM
YEAH AND WHEN IT STARS SELLING IN THE USA IT WILL COST 12,000.00 SMACKAROOS
Drezo @ Jan 10th 2008 9:57PM
I wouldn't pay $25.00 for that ugly piece of crap, let alone $2500.00. Unlike people in Asia, people on this continent want to drive vehicles that look good AND that get good gas mileage.
john willhoite @ Jan 10th 2008 11:00PM
If they brought the car over here, it would cost us more for it and it would get less gas milage.
onll2004 @ Jan 10th 2008 11:18PM
Hey, this is stock, can you imagine what
it would look like when you pimp it out ?
LOL
kristen @ Jan 10th 2008 11:42PM
I think this is a wonderful technological advancement. Imagine the fuel savings, thus less demand for oil = lower gas prices!
pete @ Jan 11th 2008 12:33AM
Remember the Yugo! "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Beach Jumper 1 @ Jan 11th 2008 2:08AM
Considering the fact that the economy is in the dumper, it may be time for history to repeat itself in the United States. However it's not the history of the Yugo, but rather the history of the Volkswagon Beetle! In 1951 there were only 390 Beetles on the roads in the U.S.; by 1965 VW owned 67 percent of the import market! Its success story involved the same fact circumstances as the Tata Nano - ugly as sin, no frills, basic transportation which provides great gas mileage and is within the financial reach of most drivers. Even their original sports model, the Karmann Ghia, was ugly!! Put VW BEETLE, HISTORY, PRICE into your Search engine and read about it
Hamilton @ Jan 11th 2008 3:45AM
The comments here acknowledge how low US opinion has sunk...the clueless and fearful live here. No wonder we are sliding out of the top ten in education, longevity, and general health/standard of living compared to other indutrialized nations. Our values and our egos are way out of line!!!
Mary @ Jan 11th 2008 6:23AM
I LOVE it. And your wrong people in this country WILL buy it. Cheap economical transportation is exactly what I'm looking for. I'd buy one today if i could. Reminds me of the new smart car or the original honda.
mrdickieweed @ Jan 11th 2008 8:04AM
What they are not telling you is that pedaling that little bastard on a straight road is tiring enough, and uphill it's a bitch....
mrdickieweed @ Jan 11th 2008 8:06AM
What they are not telling you is that pedaling that little bastard on a straight road is tiring enough, and uphill it's a bitch....
Mary @ Jan 11th 2008 9:11AM
What people don't realize is this csr is being marketed in India where few people own cars. This car will be affordable by many, thus putting more cars on the road. Thus creating more pollution.
james r list @ Jan 13th 2008 1:33PM
i'd bbuy one just for driving back and forth to work
Dale @ Jan 14th 2008 2:19PM
It does look like a neat toy but wouldn't want to be on the highway with it.
Dale
http://onelargemall.com
Ken G @ Jan 17th 2008 3:06AM
Some interesting tidbits about India. 1) The infrastructure and roadways are not equipped to accommodate the increase in the number of cars brought about by the appeal of a $2500 vehicle. All of India's six major cities have over-crowded roads with no signs of letting up. 2) Gas prices have stayed at or around $20/gal. With globalization and the overall increase in the standard of living, it would seem pertinent that people be able to afford this car and any other comparably priced used car. What these high gas prices have done however,is compel people to live closer together. High rises are common but the population density has increased ten-fold over the past decade in the major cities with huts (hence slums) springing up at perilous rates.3) there has been no corresponding increase in the water, electric and sewage systems to cater to this increased population density. Throw in robust corruption and you have a recipe for a public planning disaster. 4) Not once was there ever any mention of how Tata would ameliorate the hazardous driving conditions on already crowded streets. If Tata was so emboldened to cater to the greater masses, perhaps it should look at ways of dissipating the population to the suburbs through more cost-effective mass transit vehicles.
5) As if in stark contrast to all that the Nano is supposed to represent, Tata is now set to buy Jaguar and the Range Rover. So, here is a company that goes from making a car for the people to buying two behemoths vehicle manufacturers. The percentage of prospective owners for these high priced vehicles would be less than 1.
6) Finally, a visit to any of India's major cities would show some of the drawbacks of it's roadway system. When trash collectors are not striking and the cops feel like they should return to work and politicians feel nationalistic enough to not be corrupt, we will see roads devoid of trash and cows, free of pedestrians, cyclists, hawkers, panhandlers and auto rickshaws. That is until an 8-cylinder emerges that has no place on India's roadways.
alittle skeptical @ Mar 12th 2008 2:24PM
Re; Ken g comments. Gas prices in india are not 20/gallon where did you get that? Are your other stats off by that degree also?