Tata’s Nano: The Frugal Eco-Car You Don’t Want (Yet)
By Chris Baskind in Transportation
Tata — the Indian car manufacturer — announced this week their plans to bring the diminutive Nano subcompact to American shores.
If you’ve not already heard about the Tata Nano, you will. At just $2,500 in its Indian trim, the Nano is arguably the world’s most frugal car. Actually, “frugal” really doesn’t do the Nano justice — spartan might be a better term. Or utilitarian. By anyone’s estimation, the Nano is perhaps the most bare-bones car to roll off a factory floor since the Model T.
While the Nano’s price may sound irresistible, it comes at a cost. Skilled, inexpensive Indian labor provides Tata with a huge production advantage over American, European, and Asian car companies, but some of the Nano’s cost-cutting isn’t likely to satisfy Western consumers or regulatory agencies.
Cutting corners
Air bags? Of course not. There’s no external access to the trunk — you’ll have to fold the seats down to cram anything into the Nano’s duffel-bag-sized rear storage area. Parts of the body are glued, rather than welded. Sun visors are optional. There’s only one windshield wiper, no power steering, and the stock two-cylinder engine won’t smoke any tires in your local Dairy Queen parking lot.
The payoff — other than sticker price — is incredible fuel economy. While it hasn’t been tested in the United States, it’s said that the Nano gets at least 54 miles per gallon. Some estimates are even higher.
Tata Nano
While a recent USA Today article speculated wistfully that Tata might be able to hold the Nano to $3,000 once it goes on sale in the U.S., that figure doesn’t seem very likely. Tata’s upcoming European export model, the Nano Europa, probably hints at what at the shape of a U.S. Nano. Priced at around $6,000, the Europa features a bigger engine, improved construction, and a larger wheelbase. Add transatlantic shipping and more safety equipment, and that’s the American Nano.
The Nano’s real promise
There’s a ton of fresh thinking in the Nano, and more on the way. Tata has already indicated its interest in the development of an all-electric version, and is experimenting with a powerplant which literally runs on emissions-free compressed air. That’s radical green technology in a car priced for the masses.
But don’t expect a $2,500 Tata Nano once it’s rolled into U.S. showrooms. At that price, you wouldn’t want it, anyway.
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13 Responses to “Tata’s Nano: The Frugal Eco-Car You Don’t Want (Yet)”
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The compressed air option is widely criticized as less efficient than electric but what about the environmental cost of using batteries?
There’s always environmental cost. You’re right, of course: Batteries mean mining, runoff, and pollution.
The long-term answer is in fewer cars, not more. That means smarter urban design, public transportation, and things like bicycles.
Thanks for updating us on this vehicle. It would sell in green Austin,Texas!!
Liked “Tata’s Nano: The Frugal Eco-Car You Don’t Want (Yet)” http://ff.im/-3Mavm
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There’s only one windshield wiper, no power steering, and the stock two-cylinder engine…. bah haha! http://is.gd/VLfk
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Oh, yah, and sun visors are optional rotfl lol http://is.gd/VLfk
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@LighterFootstep Hmmm… A car made by Tata with no airbags - Sounds too much like a foreshadowing http://bit.ly/N6Vhx
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@LighterFootstep Hmmm… A car made by Tata with no airbags – Sounds too much like a foreshadowing http://bit.ly/N6Vhx
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Tata’s Nano: The Frugal Eco-Car You Don’t Want (Yet) - http://tinyurl.com/naajaq
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Tata’s Nano: The Frugal Eco-Car You Don’t Want (Yet) – http://tinyurl.com/naajaq
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Reminds me of the Adobe – the sassy import that’s made outta clay.
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The eco car you don’t want: http://bit.ly/mS75u
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