Tata Motors of India confirmed yesterday that its $2,500 car is on schedule for production next year and defended the car — which is being hailed as “the people’s car” — against environmental concerns. Many environmentalists are concerned that such an inexpensive car will skimp of pollution controls, but a company chairmans claims the car will be he least polluting vehicle on Indian roads.
“We will have less pollution per vehicle than any other vehicle in the country today,” Ratan Tata, owner of the company, told the Associated Press. Despite the promise of a cleaner vehicle, there is still the concern that such a low priced vehicle will attract a large number of buyers, overwhelming India’s environment and infrastructure. Tata plans to make between 250,000 and 500,000 of the cars per year.
Even with the promise of a greener car, it’s unlikely that the vehicle would meet U.S. EPA pollution limits.
11/21, 4:25 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Pollution is the least of a $2500 car’s problem. Structural integrity? Enough power to not be a danger on normal roads?
11/21, 4:47 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
bodacious tatas!
screw the EPA
11/21, 5:52 PM
posted by:
autonut
There are no “normal” roads in India. Up till 10 years ago they were manufacturing 1946 vintage Morris and Fiat. My guess only half cylinders were firing, so with 2 cylinders working it will be a great car, compare to rickshaw.
11/21, 6:19 PM
posted by:
Commodore
In Asia, the philosophy is pretty much “anything for money”. Their only concern is to grow economically and basically put themselves on the map, regardless of what impact they have (to their people, to safety, to the environment and so on).
He says it will be clean, and it probably will be because it will have like a 75 horsepower engine (am I being optimistic?). The point is, the engine is small enough to cause little pollution, but the car could probably cause next to 0 pollution with a coupe dollars more added to the cost.
11/21, 7:08 PM
posted by:
GhettoMAX
EPA?? lol, there will be a LOT of other things wrong with this car, EPA would be the LAST of its problems.
I respect TATA for bringing giving SUMO to India back in mid-90’s, creating competition in a new category that brought us the Toyota Qualis and then the Mahindra Scorpio… I am just not sure about the TATA 1 lakh car ($2500 car).
11/21, 7:46 PM
posted by:
Bryce
Well, it’s hard to argue quality when a company derived in a third-world country is producing a $2,500 car. But, even if it’s got absolutely nothing to it, there’s still a likelihood that the car will be built well. Not that any of us really care. We’ll never see it.
Is it just me or does the Tata emblem look rusty?
11/21, 9:48 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
$2500 eh? Looks like I might buy a few and do crash ‘n’ derby on public streets….
11/22, 8:57 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
This POS auto manufacturer should die!
11/22, 12:13 PM
posted by:
nitinsharma1000
Just so you know i saw more porsches and bentleys in New Delhi/day that here in PA
11/22, 12:15 PM
posted by:
nitinsharma1000
Even so i never trusted TATA products. They assembled Mercedes’ for a while and then Mercedes decided they shouldnt so they opened their own assembly line. Tata makes decent diesels
11/22, 1:03 PM
posted by:
frankhoffy
I hear a rival company named Wee Wee is threatening to sue
11/22, 5:12 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
An Indian car producing less pollution than my Chinese leafblower? NO WAY!
11/23, 9:35 AM
posted by:
autonut
Can you drive or fly your chinese leaf blower? Don’t try Chinese versions of AK47 – complete piece of ****.
11/23, 2:41 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
^lmao. dude you are funny as hell.
11/23, 3:46 PM
posted by:
BLISS
i hope it turns out good
11/26, 7:10 AM
posted by:
Get Real
So the US-EPA is screwing us ??
The EPA is NON-elected government officials making rules ?????
Ironic that India can show the USA how to run democracy.
11/26, 11:07 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
They should name Grand Teton