When inexpensive microcars get unveiled, they usually don’t garner much attention. But when that microcar is as revolutionary as the Tata Nano, the world takes notice. The Nano is so important, in fact, that the Indian automaker saw it fit to put its microcar on the world’s stage at the Geneva motor Show.
The Nano is here in Geneva for two main reasons: the first is to get even more media attention — since the Nano’s unveiling was at a rather small event in India — and the second is to gauge European reaction.
While Tata head Ratan Tata says there are no current plans to bring the Nano to Europe, he did admit that he would like to bring the premium edition of the car here eventually.
The up-scale model features flashier wheels and an overall nicer interior, something Tata feels could appeal to some European buyers. However, since the Nano has the fit and finish and quality of materials you would expect to find in a $3,000 car — you can literally take off any body part you see fit with your bare hands and the interior plastics look as though they were cut out with scissors — it remains to be seen if the discerning buyers of Europe would ever go for the Nano.
But then again, the Nano might find a market in some of the developing regions of Eastern Europe — as long as it can pass stricter European emissions and crash standards. Stay tuned.
03/05, 9:48 AM
posted by:
doghis
India, please keep you’re suicide-box-of-death-garbage to yourself…PLEASE!!! we don’t want it!
03/05, 10:06 AM
posted by:
jayjc08
With Europe’s overpriced cars, this thing might sell like hotcakes. I wouldn’t doubt it though if they did some cosmetic upgrades, such as panels, etc..
03/05, 10:11 AM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Heh and South America is next.
03/05, 10:25 AM
posted by:
Mat
With this kind of money (3000$) what did LLN expect? M3 exteriors and R8 interiors? I think it looks good. Better than almost all Hyundais and Kias, some Suzukis etc.
For sure some might not like it. It is not a stunning Ferrari after all. Fortunately unlike a ferrari, it does not really matter with the Nano!
03/05, 10:25 AM
posted by:
Mat
With this kind of money (3000$) what did LLN expect? M3 exteriors and R8 interiors? I think it looks good. Better than almost all Hyundais and Kias, some Suzukis etc. Look at the Sandero revealed here. I think this looks better.
For sure some might not like it. It is not a stunning Ferrari after all. Fortunately unlike a ferrari, it does not really matter with the Nano!
03/05, 10:31 AM
posted by:
frylock350
I’d rather trust my life to a side-by-side than this plastic POS.
This does not look good. Its stumpy, lacks a hood, lacks a trunk and resembles a rounded-off box.
03/05, 10:49 AM
posted by:
Heart64
You know I really think Toyota with its PM and now this car for $2000 is great. I mean doghis you say what you want but I think Tata is on to something good.
What “the General Public” Needs and wants is a car that is small economical for short commutes. Example if you live in the city like I do Chicago, New York, LA then this car is perfect for tight or non-existant parking spaces. That is saying alot. Plus you can go where Large barges from a GM SUV piece of junk can not go or even fit!
So while you scoff at it. I appauld it! And I believe many people will gladly switch to it even more if its made electric. I am sure it get great mileage since its so tiny too!
03/05, 10:56 AM
posted by:
sank
You need to come to Italy and you will see how many microcars are there and that there really is a market for them. The target buyer are young people, that are not yet allowed to drive a full size car. And believe me these cars are not high quality… Tata micro seems to be a BMW in comparison to them
03/05, 11:15 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
You mean Posh Spice, Simon Cowell and the guy w/eyepiece from Monopoly game aren’t your typical Euros?
03/05, 11:20 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
By the way, if Tata can produce this with a reasonable safety rating and make it mechanically reliable (might add to cost a bit), and then offer it stateside for $3500 I’d be all over it for a runabout car. At that price you really can’t go wrong, and the major manufacturers have gon overboard anyway.
Now I just wish Tata would offer a 62 inch LCD HDTV for $350 too.
03/05, 11:35 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
If- and I agree it’s a really big if- this or something like it makes it to N.A. well, let’s be honest, half the population isn’t even going to fit in one of these. Picture TwoTonTessi pulling up to Wal-Mart and oozing herself out of one of these? I don’t think so. Anyone who’s seen Norbit where the wife gets into the pimped out MG will know what I mean.
03/05, 12:13 PM
posted by:
SoLoveLA
Wow, RicardoHead has a chip on his shoulder lol.
03/05, 12:23 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Yeah, the chip of truth.
03/05, 12:27 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Hasn’t Europe been through enough with its World Wars and losses of national identity with the end of so many currencies? Tata is delivering un-necessary pain. Tata should let Europe go!
03/05, 4:22 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
if this comes to the states then Tata needs to make a one seater designed specificly for the fat…uh, obese.. hmmmm thinnly challanged- you get the picture.
03/05, 5:10 PM
posted by:
agent09
ricardohead also has a dick near his shoulder.
03/05, 5:35 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Agent09 if your going to insult someone you should do it right, saying RH has a dick near his shoulder could easily refer to the one he’s packing downtown since you have failed to specify the distance of “near.” As for the Nano it is a piece of garbage in India and guess what? NOTHING has changed, this thing is a piece of garbage in Europe and it will continue to be so in every market it crosses.
03/06, 7:58 AM
posted by:
frylock350
I’m voting for Rex Grossman
03/06, 8:10 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Bah, it’s cheap and a great idea for those who want it, but I’d rather do what I did – spend $3000 worth on an oldschool BMW that still rakes in the compliments with its Zender kit and handles a dream being RWD with M-Tech suspension! I’m not complaining
03/06, 8:20 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
There’s a market for cheap **** like this Tata Nano. The target demographic is the same one as someone in a congested city looking for a used beater or a moped, with the added bonus of a backseat. At 3k, it makes good sense to look at this, warranty and all
03/06, 12:06 PM
posted by:
frylock350
I’d rather drive in a retired Taurus rental than this POS. At least in that car if a soccermom slams her minivan into me, I’ll live to tell the tale.
03/06, 9:46 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
“Premium edition” who are they kidding?
03/22, 1:54 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
bodacious tatas!