Tata will redo Nano for the US
The new Nano will be far more sophisticated than the ultracheap model that has flopped in India despite a world of hype. By Diana T. Kurylko
A redesigned version of India's no-frills Nano minicar will come to the United States in three years, said Ratan Tata, the billionaire boss of that country's giant Tata Group. The U.S. is a very enticing market," Tata said in an interview. "We are redesigning the Nano for both Europe and the U.S."
He said the new Nano will be far more sophisticated than the ultra-cheap model that has flopped in India despite a world of hype.
It will get a bigger engine and "more bells and whistles," including such features as power steering and traction control. Tata said it will be priced below $10,000.
What the 74-year-old industrialist did not say is how he intends to sell it here. Tata has no U.S. retail network.
The existing Nano, an egg-shaped four-seater, was developed for India as an alternative to scooters. At 122 inches long, it is nearly two feet shorter than a Mini, and it has a two-cylinder, rear-mounted engine with 37 hp. Tata, whose company owns Jaguar and Land Rover, conceived the Nano as the world's cheapest car. It went on sale in 2009 with a price tag of about $2,500.
He said a car priced below $10,000 would have appeal in the United States.
"The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars," said Tata at the opening of a Jaguar Land Rover dealership here. "But everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal."
Tata said it was "too premature," to talk about a U.S. sales channel for the Nano.
"We have to give a lot of thought to how we would distribute the car," he said.
Andy Goss, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, said there have been no discussions about using Jaguar Land Rover dealers to sell the Nano.
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There is no way this piece of crap will meet U.S. safety standards. Go down a rough road and you may be stopping to pick up the pieces. IF this thing makes it to the U.S., the American auto manufacturers should run ads
"Remember the Yugo"
Because in short order, you will be saying "Remember the Tata"
I think its just fine to bring them here and to all who dont like them than dont buy it this country is the only country that is behind in the auto world please explain why I can go to Canada and their driving diesel versions of the very cars we get imported but are diesel all this pride in America as being free but your only free to buy the gas hog versions of the very cars that the rest of the world are driving but are diesel wake up people.When the ga**** 7.00 a gal then that Nano is going to look real good.
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