Tata Nano: The Best/Worst Thing On Earth?

by David Heyerman on May 6, 2009

two-thousand-dollar-car

  • The discussion revolving around the auto world’s newest emissions nightmare, the Tata Nano, is one that must happen.  First off, this car is a rear (gasoline) engine four-seater that costs $2,000, aiming primarly at the Indian market.  It’s without a doubt an amazing feat to see manufacturing processes get down to this level, but as this car unleashes on a Hot, Flat, and Crowded world, there’s no telling the damage it could cause.
  • It’s quite obvious that demand is there.  This opens up doors to an international market segment that until recently was never tapped by the auto industry due to high cost of entry.  Back when the car was unveiled in January, the company informed they’d be able to produce 100,000 cars this year.  Well, it’s only May, and they’ve already received 230,000 orders.  It seems to me if what we’re seing right now is the first-mover, innovater period, then there won’t be just thousands of orders soon, there will be millions.
  • I’m very interested to hear people’s take on this issue.  Do you think Tata’s cruising for a carbon emissions nightmare, or will it not play a big enough part to worry about?

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  • Mate, I like your site and your coverage but I think this Tata Nano is a carbon emissions nightmare is totally wrong.

    Tata sells 3000 nanos a year and what about the cars bought in the rest of the world, especially the developed world.

    Check my article on the nano here - http://worldisgreen.com/2009/03/25/the-tata-nan...

    The gist is that this,

    The Nano produces only 101g/km of emissions (It passes emissions norms – Euro III) , is as fuel efficient as a Prius (25 km per liter/4.2l for 100km or 52 mpg – US), is designed to use less materials, and is cheaper than any other car. In every sense it is green or greener than a Prius.

    To compare, check out the Green Vehicle Guide from the Australian government. The Nano beats all.

    All the environmentalists who praised the Prius and curse the Nano need to explain how a efficient car like the Nano is worse than a Prius.
  • What's the problem? We have that many lawn mowers cutting grass every day and no one complains. Besides it's in transition to solar powered in the next version.
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