Tata Nano

Tata Nano

Manufacturer	Tata Motors
Also called	one-lakh car
Production	2008–present
Assembly	Pantnagar, Uttarkhand, India[1] Charodi, Gujarat, India (since June 2010)[2]
Class	City car
Body style	4-door
Layout	RR layout
Engine	2 cylinder SOHC petrol Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium 624 cc (38 cu in)
Transmission	4 speed synchromesh with overdrive in 4th
Wheelbase	2,230 mm (87.8 in)[3]
Length	3,099 mm (122.0 in)[3]
Width	1,495 mm (58.9 in)[3]
Height	1,652 mm (65.0 in)[3]
Kerb weight	600 kg (1,300 lb)–635 kg (1,400 lb)[3]
Designer	Justin Norek of Trilix, Pierre Castinel[4]

The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market.

Tata Motors began selling its "one-lakh car" in March, 2009.^[5] This nickname is due to the Nano's price point, near 100,000 (≈ US$ 2100). It is the cheapest road car in the world today,^[6] though the price continues to rise^[7] due to increasing material costs.^[8]

In 2008 the Financial Times reported: "If ever there were a symbol of India’s ambitions to become a modern nation, it would surely be the Nano, the tiny car with the even tinier price-tag. A triumph of homegrown engineering, the Nano encapsulates the dream of millions of Indians groping for a shot at urban prosperity."^[9] "Homegrown engineering" is a relative term here as much of the systems and parts used in the Nano may not have been developed or produced in India.^[10]

The Tata Nano has become somewhat symbolic as a modern 'people's car', often being compared to the likes of the Ford Model T and the original Volkswagen Beetle.^[11] The Nano has also become a status symbol in its home market of India, where it provides an opportunity for new car ownership for people who would otherwise never own one, and for the wealthy to join the trend.^[12]

History

Seeing an opportunity in the great number of Indian families with two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled vehicles,^[7] Tata Motors began development of an affordable car in 2003.^[11] The purchase price of this no frills auto was brought down by dispensing with most nonessential features, reducing the amount of steel used in its construction, and relying on low-cost Indian labor.^[13]

The introduction of the Nano received much media attention due to its low price,^[14] and the car was available to buy throughout India in early 2011.^[15]

The Nano's development was foreshadowed by the 2005 success of the affordable, 4-wheeled Tata Ace truck.^[11]

Expectations

Many have had great expectations for this small car,^[16] some perhaps going a bit too far. One study, by Indian rating agency CRISIL, thought the Nano would expand the nation's car market by 65%.^[17] It was also anticipated that the 2009 launch of the car would greatly affect the used-car market, with prices dropping 25-30% in the lead up to the launch. However, due to limited supply (customers had a waiting period of up to one year) used-car prices reverted to their former figures.^[18][19]

Sales of new Suzuki Alto-based Maruti 800s (considered the Nano's nearest competitor) dropped by 20%, and used ones by 30% immediately following the unveiling of the Nano. As Autocar journalist Mark Rainford summarizes: “People are asking themselves—and us—why they should pay, say, 250,000 Rupees for a Maruti Alto, when they can wait and get a brand new Nano for less in a few months’ time, a car that is actually bigger.”^[20]

Singur factory pullout

Main article: Tata Nano Singur controversy

Tata Motors announced in 2006^[21] that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal,^[22] helped in part by a forced acquisition and reuse of farmland by the West Bengal state government^[22] to entice Tata to build there.^[22] Local farmers soon began protesting the forced acquisition of their land for the new factory.^[23] As the protests continued through 2007 and 2008,^[11] Tata first delayed the Nano launch^[24] and later decided to build the car in a different state (Gujarat) instead.^[2]

Design

A Tata Nano in silver.

The car's exterior was designed at Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering.^[11]

Cost cutting features

The Nano's design implements many cost-reducing measures.

• The Nano's trunk is only accessible from inside the car, as the rear hatch does not open.^[25]
• One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair^[14]
• No power steering, unnecessary due to its light weight^[14]
• Three lug nuts on the wheels instead of the usual four^[26]
• Only one wing mirror^[14]
• radio or CD player can be fitted as accessories^[14]
• No airbags in any model^[14]
• 624cc rear engine has only 2 cylinders^[14]
• No air conditioning in base model^[14]

Price

Announcing the vehicle as the least expensive production car in the world,^[27] Tata aimed for a starting price of one lakh, or 100,000, rupees. This was approximately US$2000 at the time.^[28] As of December, 2010, the cheapest Nano costs around US$2900.^[7]

Rapidly rising material prices (up 13% to 23% over the car’s development time^[29]) are blamed for these price rises.^[8] In late October 2010, Reuters reported that prices will be raised by an average of 9,000 rupees (US$202) from November because of rising material costs,^[30] and as of the beginning of 2011 the Nano costs 140,000 rupees (more than US$3,000).^[15]

Model versions

Tata Nano Std

Tata Nano Europa

At its launch the Nano was available in India in three trim levels:^[31]

• The Tata Nano Std priced at 142,000 (US$2,879.8) with a choice of three exterior colors, single-color seats, and a fold-down rear seat^[32]
• The Tata Nano CX at 171,000 (US$3,467.9) with five color options, air-conditioning, two-tone seats, a parcel shelf, assisted brakes and fold-down rear seat with nap rest^[32]
• The Tata Nano LX at 195,000 (US$3,954.6) with all of the features of the Cx plus fabric seats, central locking, front power windows, body-colored bumpers, fog lamps, a trip meter, a cup holder, mobile phone charging capabilities and a rear spoiler^[32]

Europe

This export version of the Nano was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show^[33] but has yet to go on sale. Heavily upgraded to meet EU safety and emission standards, the car will have a number of improvements over the standard Nano, including an extended wheelbase, a new 3-cylinder engine, power steering, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an improved interior and exterior.^[33] The Nano Europe will be more expensive, heavier, and less fuel efficient than the standard Nano with prices said to be around US$6000.^[34] At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show Tata unveiled the Tata Pixel, a rear engined, four passenger city car based on the Nano Europa platform.^[35]

Export

Export to other developing countries may begin in late 2011, and export versions will probably differ little from those sold on the Indian market.^[36]

Technical specifications

The Nano is a 35 PS (26 kW; 35 hp) car with a two-cylinder 624 cc rear engine.

The car complies with Indian emission standards and can also meet European emission standards as well.^[25]

Engine:	2 cylinder petrol with Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium 33 horsepower (25 kW) 624 cc (38 cu in)
	Value Motronic engine management platform from Bosch
	2 valves per cylinder overhead camshaft
	Compression ratio: 9.5:1
	bore × stroke: 73.5 mm (2.9 in) × 73.5 mm (2.9 in)
	Power: 35 PS (26 kW; 35 hp) @ 5250 rpm[3]
	Torque: 48 N·m (35 ft·lbf) @ 3000 +/-500 rpm[3]
Layout and Transmission	Rear wheel drive
	4-speed manual transmission
Steering	mechanical rack and pinion w/o servo
	Turning radius: 4 metres[3]
Performance	Acceleration: 0-60 km/h (37 mph): 8 seconds[3]
	Maximum speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)[3]
	Fuel efficiency (overall): 23.6 kilometres per litre (4.24 litres per 100 kilometres (66.6 mpg-imp; 55.5 mpg-US))[3]
Body and dimensions	Seat belt: 4[37]
	Trunk capacity: 150 L (5.3 cu ft)[38]
Suspension, Tires & Brakes	Front brake: 180 mm drum[3]
	Rear brake: 180 mm drum[3]
	Front track: 1,325 mm (52.2 in)[3]
	Rear track: 1,315 mm (51.8 in)[3]
	Ground clearance: 180 mm (7.1 in)[3]
	Front suspension: McPherson strut with lower A arm
	Rear suspension: Independent coil spring
	12-inch wheels[39]

Supplier [40]	Part/system [40]
Texspin	Clutch Bearings
Bosch	Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system (diesel will follow), starter, alternator, brake system
Continental AG	Gasoline fuel supply system, fuel level sensor
Caparo	Inner structural panels
HSI AUTO	Static sealing systems (Weather Strips)
Delphi	Instrument cluster
Rane Madras Limited	Steering Assembly
Denso	Windshield wiper system (single motor and arm)
FAG Kugelfischer	Rear-wheel bearing
Federal-Mogul	Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Systems protection
Ficosa	Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual and CVT shifters, washer system
Freudenberg	Engine sealing
GKN	Driveshafts
INA	Shifting elements
ITW Deltar	Outside and inside door handles
Johnson Controls	Seating
Mahle	Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and air cleaners
Saint-Gobain	Glass
TRW	Brake system
Ceekay Daikin/Valeo	Clutch sets
Vibracoustic	Engine mounts
Visteon	Air induction system
ZF Friedrichshafen AG	Chassis components, including tie rods
Behr	HVAC for the luxury version
Dürr	Lean Paint Shop

Alternative-energy engines

While the Nano is driven by a gasoline-powered engine, several more-radical powerplants have been proposed but not put into production.

Compressed-air engine

Tata Motors signed an agreement in 2007 with a French firm, Motor Development International, to produce a compressed air car Nano.^[41] While the vehicle was supposed to be able to travel approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) on US$3 of electricity to compress the air,^[42] Tata's Vice President of Engineering Systems confirmed in late 2009 that vehicle range continues to be a problem.^[41]

Diesel

A website has speculated that the Nano might be made available with a diesel engine.^[43] Tata motors have not confirmed this but have stated, "As of now there is no Diesel variant of the Nano. The Nano is only available in a Petrol version."^[44]

Electric vehicle

Tata has discussed the possibility of producing an electric version,^[45] and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show,^[46] no such car is currently on the market.

If an EV Nano is sold it is expected to be the "world's cheapest electric car",^[47] use lithium-ion batteries, and have a range of 80 miles (130 km).^[48] A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljøbil Grenland AS, has been named as a supposed partner in the project.^[45]

Safety concern

A small number of fire incidents involving the Nano were reported.^[7] This led Tata to add safety devices to the vehicle although no recall was initiated, and according to Tata the car is safe.^[7] Its safety is relative however, as the Nano has no airbags or passenger-side wing mirror.

Effects

The introduction of a cheap, mass market auto such as the Nano is bound to have some unforeseen effects.

Safer travel

The Nano is safer than a motorcycle–especially during monsoon, when heavy rains can make traveling difficult for two-wheelers due to wet roads.

Pollution increase

As the Nano was designed for a population currently using eco-friendly bicycles and motorcycles,^[7] environmentalists are concerned by the increase in pollution that would follow a mass motorization in developing countries such as India.^[14]

Indian used car market

The Nano is thought to have affected the used car market in India, as some Indians may opt to buy a Nano rather than a used vehicle. The new-car market is also being affected. New car sales of the Maruti 800, the second-cheapest car in India, dropped by 20% and used model sales dropped by 30% immediately before the Nano's introduction.^[20]

Awards

• 2010 Business Standard Motoring Indian car of the year^[49]
• 2010 Bloomberg UTV-Autocar car of the year^[50]
• 2010 Edison Awards, first place in the transportation category^[51]
• 2010 Good Design Awards, in the category of transportation ^[52]

In the media

• Small Wonder: The Making of Nano is a book about the creation of the Tata Nano.^[53]
• Tata Group launched a Tata Nano GoldPlus, a 24K Gold plated version of the Nano car to celebrate the 5000 years of Jewellery design in India.^[54]

See also

• City car
• Tata Pixel

References

1. ^ "Nano diesel variant likely to have 75O cc engine". dnaindia.com. 2010-01-14. http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_nano-diesel-variant-likely-to-have-750-cc-engine_1334500. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
2. ^ ^{a b} It's final: Tata Motors to pull out of Singur NDTV, Friday, October 3, 2008.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p} "Official specifications for Tata Nano". Tata Motors. http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/index.php?option=com_whynano&Itemid=303. 
4. ^ "Specifications of Tata's Nano". cardesignnew. http://www.cardesignnew.com/site/home/auto_shows/view_related_story/store4/item109152/. 
5. ^ "Automobile Industry India". Imagin Mor Pty Ltd. http://imaginmor.com/automobileindustryindia.html. 
6. ^ "Tata Nano set to drive into Taiwan". The Economic Times. 2010-06-03. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/Tata-Nano-set-to-drive-into-Taiwan/articleshow/6008801.cms. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Tata’s Nano, the Car That Few Want to Buy nytimes.com, December 9, 2010.
8. ^ ^{a b} "Materials prices could push up cost of Tata’s Nano". Motor Authority, 7 July 2008. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/hatchbacks/materials-prices-push-up-cost-of-tatas-nano/#more-6436. 
9. ^ "/ Columnists / David Pilling — India hits bottleneck on way to prosperity". Ft.com. 2008-09-24. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e68ab572-8a3e-11dd-a76a-0000779fd18c.html. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
10. ^ India’s Tata low-cost Nano took a lot of high-tech ae-plus.com, March 2008
11. ^ ^{a b c d e} "The Next People's Car". Yahoo Finance. 2007-04-17. http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/102865/the-next-peoples-car. Retrieved 2008-01-11. 
12. ^ Arnoldy, Ben (25 January 2010). "In India, rich and poor line up for $2,000 Nano". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0125/In-India-rich-and-poor-line-up-for-2-000-Nano. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
13. ^ Tata Nano - world's cheapest new car is unveiled in India timesonline.co.uk, January 11, 2008
14. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Der Spiegel Online: India Delivers World's Cheapest Car spiegel.de, 01/11/2008.
15. ^ ^{a b} Tata Nano Goes on Sale Across India as Warranties Revive Demand businessweek.com, January 3, 2011, 8:40 PM EST
16. ^ "National : Europe awaiting Nano car’s electric version". The Hindu. 2008-09-14. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/14/stories/2008091455040700.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
17. ^ "Tata Nano may expand market by 65%: CRISIL- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2008-01-12. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2694186.cms. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
18. ^ Das, Sohini (18 November 2009). "Nano volumes drive used-car prices". Business Standard Motoring. http://www.bsmotoring.com/news/nano-volumes-drive-used-car-prices/1389/1. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
19. ^ "Tata Nano sends used car prices tumbling in India". The Motor Report. 11 February 2008. http://www.themotorreport.com.au/3656/tata-nano-sends-used-car-prices-tumbling-in-india. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
20. ^ ^{a b} "Nanomania overwhelms Indian car market". Autocar.co.uk. 2008-02-07. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=231051. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 
21. ^ http://www.tatabuildingindia.com/TataWorld/TataNano.html
22. ^ ^{a b c} The Economist August 30, 2008 edition. U.S. Edition. "Nano wars". Page 63.
23. ^ Villagers raise slogans against car company hindu.com, Friday, May 26, 2006
24. ^ Rain, political unrest delay Tatas' dream car rediff.com, August 3, 2007 03:04 IST
25. ^ ^{a b} "Quick Spin: 2011 Tata Nano CX - Driving the world's cheapest car". Autoblog Canada. Sep 15th 2010. http://ca.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/quick-spin-2011-tata-nano-cx-driving-the-worlds-cheapest-car/. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
26. ^ Tata Nano - Nano second to none! bsmotoring.com, April 12, 2009.
27. ^ Oconnor, Ashling (2008-01-11). "Tata Nano — world's cheapest new car is unveiled in India". driving.timesonline.co.uk (London). http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/article3164205.ece. Retrieved 2008-01-21. 
28. ^ "Tata unveils Nano, its $2,500 car". MSN. 10 January 2008. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/WorldsCheapestCarArrivesTomorrow.aspx. Retrieved 2008-01-11. 
29. ^ Nelson Ireson (2008-08-05). "Rising costs could eat Tata Nano’s profits". Motor Authority, Tuesday 5 August 2008. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/hatchbacks/rising-costs-could-eat-tata-nanos-profits/. 
30. ^ Ami Shah (2010-10-29). "Tata Motors says raises Nano prices by 9,000 rupees". Reuters. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52543720101029. 
31. ^ "Tata Nano". CarDekho.com. http://www.cardekho.com/carmodels/Tata/Tata_Nano. Retrieved 2009-03-24. 
32. ^ ^{a b c} "Tata Nano Pricing To Top Out At $3,650". Jalopnik. http://jalopnik.com/5192084/tata-nano-pricing-to-top-out-at-3650. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
33. ^ ^{a b} Tata unveils a Nano for Europe autonews.com, March 4, 2009 06:01 CET.
34. ^ "Tata Nano Europa &raquo Australian Car Advice | News Blog". Caradvice.com.au. 2009-03-04. http://www.caradvice.com.au/24821/tata-nano-europa/. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
35. ^ Tata Pixel Press Release Tata official site, 1/03/2011
36. ^ Tata Motors May Start Exporting Nano Minicar by December kompas.com, 17 March 2011 | 13:59 WIB
37. ^ Ruth David (January 10, 2008). "Tata Unveils The Nano, Its $2,500 Car". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/markets/2008/01/10/tata-motors-nano-markets-equity-cx_rd_0110markets05.html. 
38. ^ "Nano Mania". Autocar India. February 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-04-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20080427081838/http://www.autocarindia.com/new/Information.asp?id=2002. Retrieved 2008-02-05. 
39. ^ "India's £1,250 car". autoexpress.co.uk. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214902/tata_nano.html. Retrieved 2008-01-14. 
40. ^ ^{a b} "India’s Tata low-cost Nano took a lot of high-tech". ae-plus. http://www.ae-plus.com/Key%20topics/cc-Tata-news3.htm. 
41. ^ ^{a b} TaMo’s ambitious ‘Air Car’ faces starting trouble dnaindia.com, Nov 25, 2009, 2:34 IST.
42. ^ Hall, Kenneth (2008-07-10). "Tata Nano could come with optional air-powered engine". MotorAuthority. http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1023575_tata-nano-could-come-with-optional-air-powered-engine. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
43. ^ "Tata Nano Diesel version roll out by September 2009". 2008-09-15. http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/ViewNews.aspx?newsid=1352. Retrieved 2009-03-24. 
44. ^ "Tata Motors — FAQ for the Nano". Tata Motors. http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/index.php?option=com_whynano&task=faq&Itemid=303. 
45. ^ ^{a b} "Tata plans E-Nano, electric version of Rs1-lakh car". domain-b.com. 2008-08-20. http://www.domainb.com/companies/companies_t/Tata_Motors/20080820_tata_motors.html. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
46. ^ "World's cheapest EV: Tata Nano electrifies Geneva show". USA Today. 2010-03-04. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/03/worlds-cheapest-ev-tata-nano-electrifies-geneva-show/1. 
47. ^ "Let Tata's Nano be electric". Merinews.com. http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?title=Let%20Tata's%20Nano%20be%20electric&articleID=141391. Retrieved 2009-06-08. 
48. ^ "World's cheapest EV: Tata Nano electrifies Geneva show — Drive On: A conversation about the cars and trucks we drive — USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. 2010-03-04. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/03/worlds-cheapest-ev-tata-nano-electrifies-geneva-show/1. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
49. ^ BS Motoring Jury Award 2010: Tata Nano business-standard.com, December 26, 2009, 0:21 IST.
50. ^ fe Bureaus (Monday, Jan 18, 2010 at 2317 hrs IST). "Nano, Pulsar among winners of Bloomberg UTV-Autocar awards". Financialexpress.com. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Nano--Pulsar-among-winners-of-Bloomberg-UTV-Autocar-awards/568379/. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
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52. ^ "Tata Nano shines! Wins global design award — Rediff.com Business". Rediff.com. 2010-01-05. http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-auto-tata-nano-shines-wins-global-design-award/20101223.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-23. 
53. ^ Ratan Tata didn’t want Nano stitched like shirt around button: Book dnaindia.com, Sunday, Oct 31, 2010, 13:36 IST.
54. ^ Information Madness. "24K Gold Plated Tata Nano". http://informationmadness.com/blog/4215-making-of-24k-gold-plated-nano-with-tatas-goldplus-jewellery.html. 

External links

• Tata Nano - Official product page