On Jan. 10, 2008, Tata Motors unveiled its revolutionary $2500 car, the Tata Nano, also being called “The People’s Car” by its maker.
The vehicle measures 3.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width and 1.6 meters in height. It has a mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the power-train at the rear in order to provide both maneuverability and space on the inside to accommodate families.
The Nano has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminum, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. It’s the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. That might seem pathetic compared to industry standards but in a country in which millions use motor scooters to transport families it will revolutionize the lifestyle of India’s masses. According to Forbs.com, $2,500 is three times higher than India’s per capita income, and the average pay for a Tata Motors factory worker is $5,500 a year.
Read the “Next” feature in Today’s Machining World’s December issue for further insight on the $2,500 car from auto industry experts.
In this video of the car’s unveiling, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors compares the innovation of “The People’s Car” with the moon landing, the invention of the bicycle and the evolution of today’s personal computer.
1 Comment
Don’t be swept up in all the hype. The implications of this car will not be as far reaching as Tata would have you think. There have been cars slightly more expensive that have been out some time, (in India) that haven’t really revolutionized the car industry.