Just as Leftlane reported earlier this month, General Motors is seriously considering building a Tata Nano rival for developing markets. To produce such a small, inexpensive car, GM would increase its share hold in China’s Wuling Automobile Co. — of which GM already owns 34%. Wuling currently sells vans and pickups for as little as $3,000 in developing regions.
GM vice chairman Bob Lutz says that if Wuling was to produce passenger cars, GM could uses those cars to go head-to-head with Tata’s Nano. While GM is keeping tight-lipped about further investment in Wuling, Lutz indicated that it’s not out of the question. “That’s not impossible over time. It’s nothing we’d want to talk about today,” he said.
Lutz also said that GM has already allotted a budget for the development of a Nano-rivaling vehicle. “We move a legacy architecture and parts that have been around for a long time,” he told Automotive News. “Then we create a vehicle that’s very inexpensive, and it could not be sold in the developed world because it wouldn’t meet regulations.”
GM CEO Rick Wagoner also told Leftlane at the Detroit Auto Show that an older architecture would be the ideal candidate for an ultra low cost vehicle.
Lutz supported Wagoners claim that no such vehicle is headed for the U.S. market. He said there are already plenty of cars in the U.S. in the $2,500 price range, “they’re called used cars.”
01/28, 1:50 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
I’ve read that somewhere around 37% of millioneres never buy a brand new vehicle. So, there’s something to be learnt from them with current economical situation.
01/28, 1:56 PM
posted by:
maximus
he doesn’t want to bring it over b/c they’d lose profit margin.
01/28, 2:00 PM
posted by:
F451
It will be named the Lutz Wanker.
01/28, 2:07 PM
posted by:
corvette
no one would buy it in the US. i think they could take on tata in India though.
01/28, 2:21 PM
posted by:
Get Real
Now the whole world will turn to micro-toy cars !!!!
All Hail to the new mode of transportation.
The Accord and Camry will become rusted dinosaur “giants” sitting in junkyards.
01/28, 3:33 PM
posted by:
MY Si
its gonna be a sad world when 60MPG becomes the standard……
01/28, 4:07 PM
posted by:
cookie4me
We’ll be trading in for scooters!
01/28, 4:07 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
I wonder if GM brought over a $2,500 car if I can get it for about $500 after a $2,000 rebate.
01/28, 6:01 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
My Si,
that only depends on how 60mpg is achieved. But as slowly as CAFE and expectations are ratcheted up, you’ll be dead a buried before that happens. That doesn’t mean someone will make it happen just because it’s there to do.
01/28, 9:41 PM
posted by:
autonut
I think it is great idea to partner with Chinese company on world’s cheapest car. China produces 95% of all bicycles in the world. This car will have pedals, so when engine dies driver can paddle his brood home.
01/28, 9:58 PM
posted by:
Get Real
That’s right, Fred Flinstone style.
Is the EPA secretly in a deal with China so the USA only rides on bicycles ???
01/29, 8:52 AM
posted by:
Gary
Would be a good idea for us fat americans, save the environment and ouer health. That’s not the american way though.
01/29, 11:13 AM
posted by:
moto-racer13
This is what I don’t like about GM, they have alot of different company’s that build cars for them under GM brands like Chevy. Suzuki, Daewoo, Subaru, and now some Chinese company will be building cars for them. This is the only way GM can claim to be #1 car maker by volume. Its easy when you got foreign brands also building cars for you lol. Atleast Toyota builds all their own cars which in my opinion makes it a legit manufacturer, not a cheater like GM.
01/29, 12:30 PM
posted by:
Veda
Bimmer: Right. Especially with those who get bored with their cars often, buying used is the ideal way to run your hobby.