$2,500 car brings transport to India’s masses
Simple = cheap.
India’s Tata Group has unveiled a 2,500-dollar car billed as the
world’s cheapest amid predictions the no-frills compact could
revolutionise how the nation of 1.1 billion people
travels.
The launch of the Tata Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation…said 70-year-old tycoon Ratan Tata, head of the giant conglomerate. He said he wanted to make “a safe, affordable and all-weather transport — a people’s car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all.”
The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available.
The critter gets 50mpg and is already front-crash test-certified.
Auto analysts say the Nano could also have a major impact on the way global car firms think about costs.
The Nano may “revolutionise car costs downward,” said Indian auto analyst Murad Ali Baig, adding it was bound to be followed by other low-cost cars.
So-called environmentalists who hate the Nano hate all cars already. So, dedicate your energies to providing viable mass transit. When and where possible. Please.
These critter will be replacing smog-generating used cars and 2-stroke motorbikes that have been all poor people can afford. It’s a net win-win.
Same goes for reviewers who need 400bhp and 35″ wheels wired to their gonads to feel like a man. These dudes don’t care about basic transportation for anyone else.
The launch of the Tata Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation…said 70-year-old tycoon Ratan Tata, head of the giant conglomerate. He said he wanted to make “a safe, affordable and all-weather transport — a people’s car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all.”
The Nano has a small, rear-mounted 33bhp, 624cc engine but no air conditioning, electric windows or power steering in the basic model, although two deluxe versions will be available.
The critter gets 50mpg and is already front-crash test-certified.
Auto analysts say the Nano could also have a major impact on the way global car firms think about costs.
The Nano may “revolutionise car costs downward,” said Indian auto analyst Murad Ali Baig, adding it was bound to be followed by other low-cost cars.
So-called environmentalists who hate the Nano hate all cars already. So, dedicate your energies to providing viable mass transit. When and where possible. Please.
These critter will be replacing smog-generating used cars and 2-stroke motorbikes that have been all poor people can afford. It’s a net win-win.
Same goes for reviewers who need 400bhp and 35″ wheels wired to their gonads to feel like a man. These dudes don’t care about basic transportation for anyone else.
Posted: Thu - January 10, 2008 at 08:21 AM