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GM to produce Tata Nano rival?

01/16/2008, 5:23 PM

By Drew Johnson

With emerging markets proving to be some of the most important to the world’s automakers, companies are continually looking for any opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. But the boldest move yet to gain market share in these regions wasn’t introduced by one of the industry superpowers, but rather by India’s own Tata Motors.

The $2,500 Tata Nano promises to be the world’s most inexpensive vehicle when it hits the market, and other automakers are taking notice. Nissan has already promised a $3,000 car through a joint-venture with Bajaj of India, and other car makers could soon follow suit.

During a Q&A session with General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Leftlane asked whether GM was considering a vehicle like the Tata Nano for emerging markets. While no such model is currently under development, Wagoner says that GM is watching the situation “very closely.”

“We’re glad that Tata has decided to take on such a vehicle and we’ll continue to monitor its progress,” Wagoner said. “We’re also glad that [Tata Motors] is taking on the segment first,” he continued with a smile.

Wagoner said that if the Nano is met with success, GM could launch its own $2,500 car. But look for the Nano-fighter to be exclusive to the Indian market. “We’ve done some research and a car of that level only seems to make sense in India,” he said. “Even in markets like Russia, customers expect a larger vehicle, and it certainly wouldn’t make sense in the U.S.”

Wagoner added that GM already offers a vehicle in the $3,000-$3,500 range in some areas, but said that a vehicle below that price point could be in the cards.

If the Tata Nano proves to be a sales success, look for GM to launch its own version in the coming years.

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01/16, 5:26 PM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

A microcar with legendary GM quality? A winner! LMFAO!!!

01/16, 5:46 PM

posted by:

autonut

Wagoner did not mention a car for $2500 – only a vehicle. A donkey cart or rickshaw cart would do.

01/16, 6:08 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

I love how the title makes it seem like GM has a car in development, but the gist of the article says if the car does well, GM might make a competitor for it. LLN, get it together please…

01/16, 6:08 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Nooooooo! Not just in India. The Geo! Bring back Geo!

01/16, 7:01 PM

posted by:

corvette

lol johnny i agree bring back geo…remember quality control GM.

01/16, 7:54 PM

posted by:

rsg

WTF? Where the hell does GM offer a vehicle in the $3000-$3500 range, as Wagoner contends at the end of this thing. Seriously, I’d like to know. Unless they own a mountain bike company I don’t know about or something.

01/16, 7:57 PM

posted by:

AxeHead

If you can’t beat em, join em.

01/16, 8:44 PM

posted by:

SS4LIFE

Haha my grandmother used to have a Geo Metro, and it was a stick. Lol yeah that thing was a death trap.

01/16, 9:43 PM

posted by:

F451

@ rsg, sorry but a good mountain bike costs more.

01/16, 11:21 PM

posted by:

sharpie

Leave the cardboard coffin on wheels in India only.

01/17, 12:11 AM

posted by:

jdasch1

More PR without any real story here.

01/17, 7:34 AM

posted by:

Get Real

Could they strip the Cobolt, put in a 2 cylinder engine and install 1 wiper blade ?

01/17, 8:47 AM

posted by:

global_lightning

Did they keep around the tooling for the Chevy Cavelier?

01/17, 11:01 AM

posted by:

SwerveEarly

Lutz innovative plan is to put four wheels on his wifes Sybian.

01/17, 12:53 PM

posted by:

Jake1

Of course it would have to be $6,000 more here in order to meet CAFE.

01/17, 9:47 PM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

Go to youtube and plug in “Smartcar” + “Hayabusa engine.”

THAT’S the way small cars should be made.

01/18, 10:01 PM

posted by:

jayjc08

This could become an ever increasing market. GM has good reason to watch the situation with close regards- it could be make or bust, but I’m curious as to how much net profit Tata’s Nano will be making; $2500 doesn’t sound like it gives lots of room for profit to be made.

DeansterTJ- Look up “Smart car Ferrari”. The movie your talking about, all the kid does is spin his wheels around.

 
 
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