Tata Launches Nano. In Theory.

I love reading Nano comments from so-called "First Worlders". Instead of thinking how cheap the Nano is why not consider how expensive your cars are. Its almost like a conspiracy on a mass scale - price-fixing by ALL the major automakers. They can easily build a fantastic 2-seater with US safety specs for less than $9k. This would satisfy most peoples commuter needs and allow them to have a large car for their family outings. Yet with a bunch of clever marketing most folks are duped into squandering their discretionary funds on status and sex appeal. Hopefully Indian, Chinese and to some degree Korean manufacturers will finally burst the bloated auto industry's bubble. Those of you who won't trust reviews from India based sites here is one from the UK: "One of the most extraordinary experiences of my motoring life" Steve Cropley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sZitve3SUw

I very much agree that the Indians are "The New Japanese". I think that in 10 years, there will be an Indian entry into the U.S. car market.... and they'll get here the same way the Japanese did - Offering high-quality, high-gas milage basic transportation vehicles. I think that Indian cars will be much more reliable and acceptable to American consumers than the Chinese offerings will be. I think that the Chinese need another 20 years or so of direct custoner contact industrial experience before they're ready to take on the sales and marketing of their domestic vehicles in the international market. Right now, all their quality control is forced on them by outside companies who buy their parts.... it's different when you have to force it on yourself to the detriment of profits.

The Tata is a good example of why America needs to get their house(s) in order. There is going to be increasing competition by the Chinese and Tata AND increasing competition FOR markets, work, and resources. America needs to move away from a growth economy or at least prepare for growth to dwindle. Once again Europe is ahead of us and their experiences can show the way. Not saying the have the answers - just saying that they are already facing alot of the problems we will soon enough. I am beginning to believe that GDP is not the best measure of a successful economy.

Hullo, I think most western bloggers here have not appreciated the raison d'etre of the Nano : to provide affordable and reasonably safe transportation to an Indian family of four for town driving. The Nano is not meant to be compared in driving characteristics and its fuel consumption footprint with the Suburban ( whatever that might be - perhaps some gas guzzling SUV unknown to more than 75% of the world's population!)anymore than the Prius can be compared to the Concorde. I believe that the Tatas have been pushed back a bit due to the dramatic change in their factory location at short notice with the attendant losses in investments made. They have to quickly recoup and increase production to hundreds of thousands ( if not millions)to make the Nano a success, not only in India, but also in other low income countries which want to climb out of the poverty trap asap. If the recession struck Europeans and Americans find a need for a low cost, reliable city runabout conforming to safety standards, it would be nice. If not it doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter to 75% of the world.