Tata Motors hikes car prices; Nano and Aria prices unchanged!

Tata Motors Limited has hiked prices of all cars barring the Nano hatchback and the Aria Crossover on the back of rising input costs. Though a price hike was expected within the first few days of 2012, Tata had managed to hold on to hiking prices of its cars until the second week of February. Now though, the third largest car maker in India has increased prices of all its cars between INR 7,000 to INR 12,000, except the Nano and Aria, whose prices remain unchanged.

Tata Safari Storme at 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo

This price hike is effective from the 9th of February, 2012, and Tata dealers across the country, have been notified of the same. Here’s official word from Tata Motors’ spokesperson regarding the price hike,

The high input costs have been impacting us for quite some time. We have decided to pass on some burden to our customers. The quantum of the hike will vary between Rs 7,000 and Rs 12,000 depending on the model. The price hike has been effected since yesterday.

Both the Nano hatchback and the Aria Crossover haven’t performed as well as Tata Motors would have wanted to, at the hustings. This has made Tata adopt an aggressive sales promotion policy on both the cars. Sizable discounts are being offered on both the Nano and the Aria at the dealership level and this has led to an increase in sales of both these cars.

For instance, both the Nano and the Aria registered significant growth of numbers in January 2012, a month in which Tata Motors edged out South Korean automaker Hyundai to become the second largest automaker in India in terms of monthly sales. The next big launch from Tata Motors is the Safari Storme SUV, which Tata showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, and which will compete with the best selling Mahindra XUV500 crossover.

Source: ICB

After Maharashtra, the Tata Nano heads to Goa to be a police car!

Tata Motors delivered a fleet of Nanos to the Mumbai police on an experimental basis to see whether the Nano would fit in well as a police car. Coming to think of it, the Tata Nano and its diminutive dimensions makes a bunch of sense considering how crowded Mumbai is as a city. Also, the Nano’s high fuel economy would mean that the city runabout would be just at home doing patrolling duties in the city that never sleeps. The inexpensive Nano costing only twice as much as a motorcycle, would also offer the Mumbai constabulary all weather protection and respite from doing patrolling duties in crowded areas by foot, as is the case currently.

Tata Nano fleet of Mumbai Police

Now, the Tata Nano hatchback is all set to head to Goa and do duty amongst the Goan cops as a police car. While Goa might not be as crowded as Mumbai, most Goan back roads are more like alleys and it is here, where a car with a narrow track like the Nano would be right at home. As has been the case with Mumbai, the Tata Nano that has been painted with Goan police colors will be an experiment to see whether it fits the rigors of being a cop car. Details on what exactly has been modified on the Tata Nano to make it a cop car remains unknown at the moment.

Tata Nano fleet of Mumbai Police

However, we’re guessing that a mount for a walkie talkie and a siren/flasher on top would be the bare minimum of the mods that the Nano would need to do cop car duty. The only downside to the cop car Tata Nano perhaps would be when the Nano will have to chase down criminals making a fast getaway. The Nano is a s-l-o-w car and though the gear ratios are just about right to stay ahead of city traffic, it would be a task in itself to chase down a criminal intent on outrunning the law. Any which ways, Goa Police becomes the second police force after the Maharashtra cops to take to the Nano for cop car duty.

Source: ICB

Tata Nano Diesel ain’t coming anytime soon, instead how about the Nano CNG

Tata Nano CNG

Bad news first. The Tata Nano Diesel might not see a commercial launch anytime too soon with word emerging from Tata Motors that the diesel variant is at least a year away from a launch. While this would come as a bummer to many a prospective owner of the  Tata Nano Diesel, there’s still some cheer left. Tata Motors has put together a CNG variant of the Nano, and with CNG being much cheaper than petrol could still be a very sensible option for folks who want a very frugal and eco-friendly form of four wheeled personal transport.

Currently though, the Nano CNG is more of a concept that showcases Tata Motors’ growing capability of delivering cars with alternate fuel technology. Even so, the concept could become a reality as it fits right within the strengths of the Tata Nano. Coming to think of it, the Nano is primarily a city car although the cute little runabout would do just as fine on the highways. In most Indian cities, CNG is quickly becoming accessible and hence, a car with CNG will not just be non polluting but also frugal and convenient to run in most big cities, prime potential market for the Nano.

Tata Nano CNG Concept - Technical Specification

Important Key Features of Tata Nano CNG:

• The Nano CNG concept will be a Bi-fuel Car that can run on both petrol as well as CNG.
• The CNG tank has been packaged in such a way that it doesn’t intrude on the luggage space of the Nano.
• The components for the CNG kit have been sourced from world class suppliers.
• The Nano CNG will have a CNG cut off system in case of even a slight leak.
• The Nano CNG will use the highly efficient controlled sequential gas injection kit.
• The Nano CNG’s driver will be able to seamlessly switch between petrol and CNG modes.

Source: ICB

Tata Plans to Export Nano to Bangladesh, Southeast Asia

Tata Nano

Tata Motors Ltd. plans to export its Nano minicars to Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar, the company's India managing director P.M. Telang told reporters Friday.

He didn't give any timeframe for the exports.

Mr. Telang added that the company is likely to take a decision in the next three or four months on setting up a second commercial vehicle assembly plant overseas.

It now has a plant in South Africa for assembling such vehicles.

Separately, Ravi Pisharody, president of Tata's commercial vehicle business unit, said the company plans to introduce a new range of light trucks in India.

"The new range may co-exist with Tata Motors' existing range of commercial vehicles," he added.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Tata Nano to remove tag of poor man's car: Ratan Tata

Admitting that Nano has 'wasted an early opportunity' due to teething problems, Tata Group chief Ratan Tata today said Tata Motors will do everything to undo the tag of 'poor man's car'.



In an interaction with media here, Tata, who is also the chairman of Tata Motors, said: "Many efforts were made to discredit the product. We never pushed it (Nano) as a poor man's car, but as an affordable family car. Whatever stigma is there in the market, we will undo it."

Asserting that the very concept of Nano is a robust one, he said: "The launches of similar small cars by others vindicate our belief that this segment was missing in the product line."

He further added that Tata Motors was "not much in competition with others as far as pricing of it is concerned".

When asked about the problems Nano has faced, like the fire incidents and the recent replacement of starter motors, Tata said the issue was mainly due to various parts coming from different vendors.

"Current upgrade should help resolve the problem... upgrade will resolve issue relating to problematic supply from vendors. Upgrade will also resolve the earlier issues and also take in customer feedback. We will look at variants of models to move up the value chain," he said.



Asked about the break-even timeline for the Nano project, Tata Motors vice-chairman Ravi Kant said: "We are maintaining the break-even timeline as far as numbers are concerned, we are on line."

Source: Times Of India

Nano 2012 May Cost More In Year 2012

Tata Nano 2012

Next year onwards, you may have to cough up more to own a Nano. Tata Motors is seriously considering increasing prices of its ultra low-cost car.

The price hike is expected to be in the range of Rs. 5,000 on its newly-launched Nano 2012 model. However, the timeframe of the hike is currently not known. “Tata Motors will have to increase prices as the product was launched at a similar price to that of the previous Nano,” said sources. When contacted, a company spokesperson said, “We do not give guidance on pricing.”

The company in November had introduced additional features for the Nano at the same price point. The upgraded Nano features new interiors, a powerful gasoline engine and better fuel efficiency. “The cost is going up on the material side due to rupee fluctuations. Also, the new Nano is generating good response from customers, hence it would be easy for the company to pass on the hike,” said an analyst with a domestic brokerage, requesting anonymity.

On the other hand, experts feel that the recent replacement of starter motors in all older models of the Nano could affect the sales of Nano 2012 on a short-term basis. According to a news report, Tata Motors is substituting the old starter motor with a new and ‘better’ one, currently used in Nano 2012. The company will replace this component free of cost for around 1,40,000 Nanos sold so far.

According to a Tata Motors spokesperson, the exercise cannot be termed as a recall. “We are just replacing the component. The exercise was started in October and has already covered 50,000 vehicles so far,” he said.

“Indian customers do not forgive easily. The market is anyway weak. The incident might have a short term impact on the new Nano sales,” said V G Ramakrishnan, director with Frost and Sullivan.



Analysts say the replacement exercise undertaken by Tata Motors is by far the biggest in the India. Recently, Toyota recalled 41,000 Etios and Liva cars to replace a faulty inlet pipe to the fuel tank. Similarly, Honda Siel in September recalled 72,115 units of City sedan to fix faulty power window switches.

Sales of the Tata Nano were 6,401 numbers in November 2011, compared to 509 units sold in November last year. Tata Motors sold 39,646 units Nano between April and November 2011, compared to 40,976 units sold during the same period last year.

Source: DNA India

Tata Motors to replace starters in all Tata Nano

Tata Nano

Move to boost car’s performance, allay fears

Tata Motors is upgrading the starter motor of Nano to boost the car’s performance and also sales. The company’s dealers are in the process of calling back about 145,000 Nanos sold till date since its launch in July 2009. The old starter motor will be replaced with the new, upgraded version found in the Tata Nano 2012 edition, launched last month. The replacement will be done free of cost for Nano customers.

Though no formal safety hazard had been associated with old starter motor, the move appears to allay concerns about robustness of the Nano and its safety. The company is trying to restore customer confidence after several instances of the product having caught fire last year.

“In old Tata Nanos, we are upgrading the starter motor to enhance performance, because we have now devised a better starter motor. This better starter motor is already installed in the Tata Nano 2012, introduced in November 2012,” Tata Motors confirmed in an email response.

A starter motor or starter is an electric motor which helps rotate internal combustion engine to initiate the engine’s operation. While the 2012 Nano start up motor costs about Rs 3,000 a piece, adding labour charges, taxes and engine oil change takes the tally up to about Rs 7,600. By simple calculation, the cost bore by the company on 145,000 Nanos amounts to Rs 110 crore.

In November 2010, Tata had called back 70,000 Nanos to add free safety features in exhaust and electrical systems of the car to prevent any further cases of vehicle creating untoward fumes or catching fire. Even then, the company had refused to term the action as a recall. The company had then confirmed safety aspect of the Nano, blaming the causes of fire in the Nanos for reasons “specific” to those cars, which included use of additional foreign electrical equipment being installed in the car.



The car’s controversial history, coupled with the steady rise in interest rates and petrol prices has had its impact on Nano’s sales this financial year.

Tata Motors sold 39,646 Nanos between April and November 2011, registering a fall of three per cent compared with 40,976 units sold in year-ago period.

“The move to recall Nanos for upgrading the starter motor is a good move to create confidence with people who had bought the car earlier. The car manufacturer is trying things associated with the product to stabilise so that issues don’t occur regularly,” said Abdul Majeed, auto practice leader, PwC.

The Tata Nano 2012 costs between Rs 1,40,880 and Rs 1,96,956 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Source: My Digital FC

Tata Nano may enter Indonesia via contract manufacturing route

Move will help Tata Motors share risks, expedite project; earlier plan was to set up a greenfield unit.

Tata Motors Ltd, India’s largest automobile company by revenue, may enter the Indonesian market by striking a contract manufacturing deal with a local company, according to four people familiar with the company’s plans who did not want to be identified.

This is similar to the model adopted by the company in Thailand, where it formed an alliance with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co. Ltd, an independent assembler of automobiles.

Tata Motors earlier had plans to set up a greenfield unit in Indonesia to make the Nano small car and Ace mini truck.

A spokesperson for Tata Motors said the company is in the process of crystalizing its plans for Indonesia and that “the products to be included or the manufacturing route to be adopted is being discussed”.

Two of the people familiar with the matter said theapproach was a low-risk one that would entail a lower investment and also help the company quickly launch its products.

After the tepid response in the home market to the car (Nano), the company doesn’t intend to invest too much,” said one.

The contract manufacturing route, another said, would not only help the firm share risk in terms of investment but also expedite the project. A third person familiar with the matter said Tata Motors is currently in talks with a few companies in Indonesia.

The move makes sense, said an expert.

“Given the current global environment, when manufacturers have redundant capacities, it makes sense for Indian auto makers like Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, which are looking at getting a foothold in the region, to opt for this route as opposed to a greenfield unit,“ said Vikas Sehgal, managing director and global head of the automotive practice at financial advisory firm Rothschild.

LMC Automotive Ltd, an automotive sales and forecasting firm, estimates the Indonesian market for light vehicles (those below 6 tonnes) to expand 16% to 792,000 units by the end of the current calendar year, over the previous year. This is expected to further go up to 1.148 million units in 2014, by which time the country will overtake Thailand to become the biggest light-vehicles market in South-East Asia.



LMC projects Thailand’s sales volumes to reach 1.145 million units that year. It expects the sales gap between the two markets to continue to widen owing to higher growth potential in Indonesia. By 2018, 1.59 million light vehicles will be sold in Indonesia against Thailand’s 1.36 million.

The fourth person familiar with the matter said production at the chosen contract manufacturer will likely commence in the second quarter of fiscal 2012-13 and that in the first year, the plan is to produce 100,000 units of Ace and Nano.

Tata’s move in Indonesia comes at a time when the country’s government is in the process of finalizing a policy to incentivize companies to build small, fuel-efficient cars.

This is along the lines of Thailand’s Eco car project that has attracted companies such as Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corp.

For Tata Motors, which opted out of the Eco car project, there’s an opportunity in Indonesia to participate in the project with its Nano model, said Puneet Gupta, an analyst at IHS Automotive, a forecasting firm.

Source: Live Mint

Tata Nano 2012 launched!

Tata Nano 2012

Tata has launched the small wonder in its 2012 Avatar. The Nano gets a power upgrade delivering an impressive 38PS of power (earlier 35 PS) and 51Nm of torque (earlier 48 Nm).

Even with higher power the car delivers an impressive 25.4 kmpl (earlier 23.6 kmpl) as certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)

• More fuel efficiency at 25.4 kmpl
• New premium interiors
• New vibrant colours
• Best-in-class air-conditioning
• Lowest CO2 emission, among cars in India
• Booster-assisted brakes in the Standard variant

The ride and handling, also already highly appreciated by existing owners, now has become even better with a revised suspension set-up, including an anti-roll bar at the front, and a steering mechanism made even easier. While the cabin is quiet, a racier sounding exhaust note now gives the Tata Nano a more assertive road presence. Booster-assisted brakes, already available in the Nano CX and the LX, have now been added to the Nano Standard as well. The Nano CX and LX now have tip-tap mirrors on both the driver and passenger sides. For the Nano Standard, which already has a driver side mirror, the passenger side one can be installed as an accessory.

The interiors are completely new with enhanced premiumness in look and feel – luxurious beige in the Nano LX, rich black in the Nano CX and stunning medium graphite in the Standard version. The exteriors are now a veritable vibgyor of 10 colours, eight of them new — Pearl White, Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Neon Rush, Serene White, Meteor Silver, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Sunshine Yellow, and Champagne Gold. New half or full wheel caps accentuate the distinctiveness.

Commenting on the introduction, Mr. P.M. Telang, Tata Motors’ Managing Director – India Operations, has said, “Tata Nano owners, over 90% of whom are highly satisfied with their choice, have given us valuable insights on what more can be done. We have introduced some of these ideas. We will continue to add features, as has been our tradition across our product portfolio.”

The three trim levels and their key features are:

Tata Nano Standard: The standard version comes with three colour options — Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Serene White — along with clear headlamps, tubeless tyres and tip-tap driver side mirror, booster-assisted brakes and front suspension with anti-roll bar. The interiors comprise dual-tone vinyl seats and fold-down rear seat.

Tata Nano CX: The Nano CX comes in six colour options — Rouge Red, Champagne Gold, Neon Rush, Meteor Silver, Papaya Orange and Serene White. The interiors have been refreshed with trendy black fabric seats, ebony black interiors, fold-down rear seat with nap rest. Besides these, the variant offers best-in-class air-conditioning with heating (optional), parcel shelf, booster-assisted brakes, tip-tap mirrors on driver and passenger side and half wheel covers.

Tata Nano LX: The top-end variant comes loaded with features like premium beige fabric seats, central locking, door handles, front power windows, cup holder in front console, provision for 12V socket, body coloured bumpers, fog lamps, electronic trip meter, rear spoiler, full wheel covers and tip-tap mirrors on driver and passenger side and booster-assisted brakes. The Nano LX comes in six premium colours –  Pearl White, Papaya Orange, Mojito Green, Sunshine Yellow, Meteor Silver and Champagne Gold.



All the variants come with an unmatched warranty of 4 years or 60,000 kms, whichever is earlier.

The Tata Nano will continue to be available at the same price. The Tata Nano is priced (ex-showroom, Delhi), at Rs.1.40 lakhs for the Nano Standard, Rs.1.70 lakhs for the Nano CX and Rs.1.96 lakhs for the Nano LX.

The Tata Nano is available across 676 outlets. Customers can buy the Tata Nano at an extremely low down-payment, starting from Rs.15,000, and high tenure financing (up to 60 months).

Source: Tata Motors

2012 Tata Nano to be launched on 21st Nov 2011

2012 Tata Nano

Tata Motors has been planning upgrade to its little wonder for quite some time now and various new technologies have been experimented with in the past including 3-cylinder engines and even a diesel powerplant with mind-boggling FE figures.

At the same time, enthusiasts too have been waiting for some major changes to the product which took world by storm. There have been talks of power steering, Nano Europa styling, even Tata Pixel has been a contender for second iteration of Tata Nano.

So, the time has come and TATA have folded their sleeves to provide an all new refreshed Nano or rather NANO 2012.

The face-lifted model will get a host of cosmetic changes including new seats and fabric, new front seat headrests, a beige-coloured dashboard to brighten up the interiors, passenger-side outside rear-view mirror, new wheel-cap design and floor mats, and will be available in attractive new colours.

The Nano gets significant mechanical changes. The steering geometry has been reworked and the castor-angle optimised to reduce steering effort, a major complaint in the current car. The new car gets tweaked suspension setup and an anti-roll bar to further improve its ride and handling. Tata’s engineers have increased body stiffness too by making changes to the structure with better bonding of the body panels. This will see an improvement in refinement levels.

Tata has also raised the power by nearly 10 percent, from 35bhp to 38bhp. However, there will be no significant performance gain as the step-up in power has been offset by taller gearing in a bid to achieve the magical 25kpl figure that till now has been accomplished only by other Tata cars — the eV2 and eCS.

The feature list is as follows:

1. If it isn't 25, it isn't enough
Tata has had a fixation with this quarter century mark for quite some time now. It all started with the Indica eV2 and now there is no looking back. I still wait for the time when they will include UV vehicles in their 25kmpl brigade. Guess then, a lot will be pardoned on the quality front.

Well, as the news goes, Tata Nano is now the most fuel efficient Petrol car in the country as per ARAI certification.

2. Its still not power steering but it is lighter
Tata have incorporated some serious changes in the steering column and ride and handling of the car to make the steering "much-much" lighter and anyone owning the old nano would instantly fall in love with the nano 2012.

Again, not truly up to customer expectation a la Power steering but, TATA has looked into the issue and come up with ingenious, and cost effective solution for the time being.

3. No more hang on tight on turns.
Tata have introduced a Anti-Roll bar on this edition to dramatically improve ride and handling of the vehicle. Further, suspension has been tweaked for a softer ride. It is not an auto after all !!!

4. Gone are the days of clatter
Here Tata has gone more than just minor tweaking but actually delved right into design of the vehicle. The B Pillars are now wider, there is more insulation on certain parts and exhaust noise too has been brought down bringing down NVH levels considerably.

Once again, there is no 3 pot powerplant but genuine effort has been made and ingenuity has ruled above complete overhaul.

5. Mirror, Mirror on the car.
Tata went full cost cutting first time around and while some of the omissions were accepted (reluctantly!) by the junta, this was one omission that did not go down well with the customers, especially ones commuting in heavy traffic cities. We are referring to the Left Hand side ORVM.

Though, Tata has been supplying LHS ORVM for quite some time through its service centres but Nano 2012 brings this feature as standard on CX and LX versions with LX getting body coloured ORVM.

6. So comfy...
One of the major changes in this edition of Nano is the seats. Gone are the times of non-existant seat comfort and in comes softly cushioned seats with proper headrests. Frankly, this is a change which will appreciated by all and instantly be recognisable from older iteration. Good Job people!

2012 Tata Nano CX Interior

7. Beige it is, even for the cheapest car in market
Interiors have been revamped. Centre console now stands out in terms of quality of knobs as well as colour choices.

CX gets fabric door linings and seats with silver centre consoles. Beige rules as soon as you step into LX variant. On first impression, new interiors do aim to provide a upmarket feel to the humble car and ticks many right boxes on the interiors department.

8. Look at my new shoes
Not much of change here in terms of upgrade. LX gets full 'alloy look' wheel cover while CX is handed down earlier half wheel caps from old LX.

9. More colour options. Maybe one for your each dinner gown
Tata have scrapped all older colours except Sunshine Yellow and Champagne Gold to bring in much bolder and premium shades. There are 10 colours (4 Non Metallic, 6 Metallic) in all with 8 shades being introduced with Nano 2012. Nano LX gets more exclusive shades unlike only Sunshine Yellow in previous iteration. Pearl White from Tata flagship Safari too gets an introduction in Nano LX and personally is a top choice.

2012 Tata Nano in Pearl White color

Important Notes

1. There is no change in Product pricing at the moment for new product.
2. Tata has been shipping new Nano from past few weeks and most dealer will begin showcasing vehicles from this week itself.
3. There is no change in exterior appearances of the vehicle except introduction of LHS ORVM on CX and LX versions.
4. No design cues have been borrowed from Nano Europa.
5. It is not an intermediate product between major product introduction. Tata expects to sell this vehicle through 2012 or atleast till end of 2012. 

Courtesy: AutoCar India & Team-BHP

Tata Motors plans to sell 10,000 units of Nano model per month

Tata Motors, India’s largest automaker, plans to sell 10,000 units of the Nano car a month in a year, a jump of more than 233 per cent.

Prakash M Telang, managing director (India operations), Tata Motors, said, “The festive demand has seen a very good uptick. We are quiet confident the monthly sales numbers of the Nano should be hitting 10,000 units much before 2012-end.”

Average wholesale sales of the car have been 2,800-3,000 units a month recently. The wholesale figure is the number of vehicles dispatched by the company to its dealers.

During the festive season, dealers of Tata Motors reported a robust pick-up in demand for the Nano. “Tata Motors hit 10,000 units in retail sales last month and about 9,000 in retail sales in September. This has helped in liquidating the stock at the dealer and company’s end. There was a strong demand for the Nano during Diwali,” said a city-based Tata Motors dealer.

Attractive financing options doled out by Tata Motors to Nano buyers at a time when financial institutions have increased automotive lending rates, helped India’s largest automaker increase its retail sales of the ultra-compact car. Tata Motors hopes improving marketing and sales initiatives, especially in the rural market, will help it achieve the target.

A company spokesperson said, “Tata Motors has consistently said it is confident about sales of the Nano, as marketing and sales initiatives take root. We do not issue retail sales numbers, as per norms of the Indian industry, but suffice it to say that retails sales (of the Nano) have been strong.”

The company is looking to launch the 2012 edition of the Nano, which will have improved interiors, in India by January.



According to company dealers here, the company preponed the launch of the new edition of Nano last month to benefit from the festive frenzy. The 2012 edition of Nano is available in select markets without any price hike.

Tata Motors is also gearing up to launch a limited edition anniversary model of the car next year, which will complete three years in March. This model may have additional features such as aluminium alloy wheels.

Source: Business Standard

DIMO (Sri Lanka) says Tata Nano demand in surplus

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) is struggling to supply its latest TATA Nano cars to the Sri Lankan market with officials saying they cannot cater to the surplus demand.“We have booked 600 cars and Tata in India is struggling to send them as they are unable to meet the demand. These cars are moving so well and the demand is really high," Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman/CEO DIMO told the Business Times.



TATA Nano was commercially launched in India on March 2009 and in June in Sri Lanka. “It offers an incredibly spacious passenger compartment which can comfortably seat four adults and is priced at Rs 800,000 to Rs 1 million,” Mr. Pandithage added.

With the current tourism boom, DIMO will be eyeing the transportation sector. “DIMO has plans to expand into the leisure sector with transport logistics,” Mr. Pandithage said. He also said that DIMO’s Driver Training Centre at Suriyawewa worth Rs.250 million will be ready by February next year. Noting the company’s expansion plans, Mr. Pandithage added that the land in front of DIMO head office at Jetawana Road, Colombo 14 which they own will be turned into a commercial vehicle facility. “We bought a land at Thotalanga, Colombo 14 (the former Ferntea Company land) at nearly Rs. 680 million to put up a state-of-the-art showroom service centre and are park for TATA passenger as well as Mercedes Benz cars. It’ll house our showrooms and sales facility,” he said.

He said their Bosch Centre at Bloemendhal Road worth Rs. 250 million will also be ready by next year. He added that DIMO will start their ‘3S’ (Sales, Service and Spare parts) Centres in Trincomalee, Jaffna and Kilinochchi by next year.

Source: Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Tata Nano Diesel Mileage Figures Leaked: Over 30 Kmpl

Diesel cars are the most preferred cars in India in recent months. It is evident that the difference in price and running costs between petrol and diesel has made the diesel, the preferred fuel to many Indians. At this juncture Tata Motors is slowly developing a diesel engine for its Nano.

The Tata Nano which is India and the world's cheapest car is now available with a 650cc petrol engine. We had earlier reported that Bosch, the auto parts maker was developing the diesel power train for the Nano.

A diesel powered Nano will be a dream car for several Indians as it will be a cheaper car to buy. Further diesel's improved fuel economy will also help. The Tata Nano diesel's fuel economy will be the best selling point for Tata Motors. According to sources, the mileage of the diesel Nano will be more than 30kmpl.

This kind of mileage is something that we usually see in a high power motorcycle such as the Royal Enfield Bullet. This will emerge a top selling factor for Tata Motors. However, diesel cars are priced higher than petrol cars and Tata must ensure the Tata Nano diesel's price is not too high.

According to estimates, the Nano diesel's fuel economy will be between 30 to 34kmpl. As per the ARAI standards, The Nano's mileage should be over 30kmpl, making the Indian small car the most fuel efficient car in the country ahead of the Tata Indica eV2.

Source: OneIndia Auto

Tata Nano going to Brazil?

World over the Tata Nano has always been a big showstopper, ever since Ratan Tata unveiled the all Indian people’s car at the 2008 Indian Auto Expo. But it is only recently that Tata has commenced tapping into the export potential of the Nano with exports to Nepal. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Recently, Antonio Augusto Anastasia,the Governor of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s second most populous state, on a visit to India had this to remark about the Tata Nano.

We would very much like to take Tata Nano to Brazil. Brazil and India already have good relationships. We want to strengthen them lot more. We invite big corporates to invest there.

While we can’t read much into the remark of Anastasia, Brazil could be a potential market for the Tata Nano as the country is quite similar to India although it is much more evolved as an automotive market compared to India. Many Indian cars and motorcycles that are doing duty in India have first been introduced in the Brazilian market. As an illustration, the Hero Impulse dual purpose motorcycle has been around in Brazil for quite a while as the Honda NXR BROS.

Similarly, the Fiat Palio and the Uno both were introduced in the Brazilian market before the Indian market. So, Brazil as a country has many similarities with India and hence the Nano could be introduced in that country as a low cost, entry level car offering high fuel economy. On whether Tata Motors will consider the Brazilian governor’s offer seriously and begin exporting the Tata Nano to Brazil either in CBU or in CKD form is something that we will have to wait and watch.



Source: Indian Cars Bikes

Tata Nano Bangladesh launch deferred

DHAKA: The launch of India's Tata Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car, was delayed at the last moment in Bangladesh after its distributor said Saturday it was seeking a cut in price.

Nitol Motors, Tata's sole distributor in Bangladesh, was due to launch the car at a fair on Saturday but high taxes meant the price tag for the least expensive no-frills Nano would be 599,000 taka ($7,900).

That compares to 141,000 rupees ($2,870) for a basic Nano model in India.

"A lot of people came to us for booking at the fair. At least 23 people confirmed their interest," said Abdul Matlub Ahmad, director of Nitol Motors.

"But we've deferred launch of Nano at the last moment as we're seeking a re-look at the price, which some say is too high."

Both the Nano and other small cars produced by foreign companies such as Maruti are significantly more expensive in Bangladesh as importers have to pay 132 percent tax on each car, he said.



"We anticipate the Nano will be very popular because it is extremely fuel efficient. You can drive more than 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) with a litre of gasoline," he added.

Fuel prices have risen sharply in Bangladesh over the past year due to rising global costs and the phasing out of government subsidies as Dhaka struggles to rein in its soaring imports bill.

The Tata Nano, billed by the company as the "people's car", generated worldwide interest when it rolled off the assembly line in 2008, and the company is already marketing it in Sri Lanka.

When the Nano first appeared in showrooms, it was expected to create a vast new market segment in India, a nation of 1.2 billion people. But its sales have fallen far short of hopes.

Analysts attributed the Nano's poor sales performance in India to concerns over safety, lack of cheap financing and operational hiccups after production shifted to a new plant.

Last year, Tata was forced to offer free safety upgrades after around half a dozen of the cars caught fire.



Source: Economic Times

NOW, THE TATA NANO GOES TO BANGLADESH!

Tata Motors’ revolutionary low cost small car, the Tata Nano isn’t exactly making waves in the domestic market. But that isn’t stopping Tata Motors from aggressively exporting the Nano to countries across Asia. Tomorrow, the Tata Nano will be launched in Bangladesh, India’s eastern neighbor. Over the past few months, Tata has commenced exports of the Nano and now sells the car in both Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The Nano will be priced at 599,000 Bangladeshi Takas, which in Indian rupees translates to around INR 3.87 Lakhs. This is almost three times the price of least priced base variant of the Nano in India caused mainly due to the very steep 142% duty that Bangladeshi importers have to pay the Bangladeshi government in cases where the car is imported from other countries as a completely built unit(CBU). For now, Tata Motors’ Bangladeshi distributor, Nitol Motors, plans to import 3,000 Nanos into the country to gauge demand.

Going forward, the distributor will import more Nanos if the Bangladeshi car market shows enough demand for the Tata Nano. Exuding optimism about the Nano’s sales in Bangladesh, Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Director of Nitol Motors has had this to say,

"We are now taking orders — initially we’ll sell 3,000 Nano cars. We hope it will be a big hit in Bangladesh. The price will come down once we start assembling the car here. If the car becomes popular in Bangladesh, Tata has a plan to manufacture the car locally. We anticipate the Nano will be very popular because it is extremely fuel efficient. You can drive more than 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) with a litre of gasoline."



While the petrol powered Nano is undoubtedly a very fuel efficient car, with an ARAI certified fuel economy figure of 23.6 KMPL, it remains to be seen whether the blend of high fuel economy and practicality will see the Nano becoming a big success in Bangladesh. If that happens, Tata Motors’ Nano exports would ensure that the automaker’s huge investment at the Nano manufacturing plant at Sanand, Gujarat, is utilized well.

Source: Indian Cars Bikes

Real Story of Tata Nano Retail Sales: Sales Zooming from past 3 months

Retail sales of Tata Nano Zooming from past 3 months

New Delhi, Oct 3: Its wholesale numbers may be on the decline, but Tata’s small car Nano is picking up in sales at retail level as dealers at different parts of the country cash in on reduced down payment scheme introduced by the company ahead of the festival season.

Dealers said while consumer confidence on the car has slowly become much stronger and conversion rate of enquiries has risen to as much as 35 per cent in certain areas, an attractive discount of up to Rs 20,000 has also helped in wooing buyers.

While the company does not report its retail sales numbers, according to industry sources Nano’s uptake from showrooms has been on the rise since August.

Nano’s retail sales, stood at 3,548 units in July, were 6,451 in August and 9,208 in September this year.

This is in contrast to the 17 per cent decline in the cumulative wholesale numbers in the April—August period this fiscal, at 26,441 units as against 31,882 units in the same period a year ago.

“A lot of existing customers are helping in spreading through the word of mouth and footfalls at our showroom, enquiring about the Nano has gone up. The conversion rate is up to 35 per cent,” Kolkata—based Lexus Motor owner Mr Binod Agarwal said.

He said the scheme announced by Tata Motors in mid-August to offer the Nano at down payments ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 24,000 and discounts ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 have helped in attracting lots of customers.

“We were averaging about 40—45 Nanos a month earlier but it went up to 52 in August and 109 in September. We are hoping October should also be good,” he added.

Expressing similar views, Vijaywada—based Jasper Industries Managing Director Managing Sumanth Badiga said: “In our case, rural sales have really picked up. We have been able to largely target customers, for whom the Nano was intended.”

He said in August alone, Jasper Industries sold 301 units, while in September it did 150 Nanos.

“In October we are expecting to sell about 200 Nanos,” Badiga said, adding small time traders, shop—owners, village purohit and teachers are among the customer profiles.

Interestingly, the Nano is finding a lot of woman buyers in Bangalore, which has helped in increasing sales.

“Around 30 per cent of buyers from our showroom are women. They are either self-financed first time buyers or a family member buying for them,” Bangalore based Prerana Motors Managing Director, Mr Pramanand Shenoy said.

He, however, said the perception of Nano as a ‘cheap car’ is working against the product as “it is a proper car”.

Pune-based Pandit Automobiles Managing Director Vijay Gokhale also said the idea of targetting two-wheeler riders to upgrade "has not worked at least in the area where we function".

"So, we have widened the spectrum and are trying to sell to customers who could be retirees or who are looking for a second car or even college going students," he added.

Pandit Automobiles was selling about 60 Nanos a month till about July. In August it sold 119 units of the car, while in September it was 141 units.

"We will cross 150 units in October," he said.

Source: The Hindu Business Line and MoneyControl

Tata brings Nano car worth 22 Crore

The Rs 22 crore car boasts of over 80 kg 22 carat gold, 15 kg silver and many precious gems.

After introducing the cheapest car to the world -- Nano -- about three years ago, Tata Motors has now come out with one of the world' most expensive cars.

Nano, which was originally launched as a Rs 1 lakh car, was given a massive makeover using expensive metals and precious stones to make it India's most expensive car, which contends to be one of the costliest in the world.

The bling version of people's car is a one-off showpiece that would tour Tata-owned jewellery stores across the country.

Launched by Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata on Monday, the Rs 22 crore car boasts of over 80 kg 22 carat gold, 15 kg silver and many precious gems.

For those who can afford it, still cannot buy the car as the company has no plans to sell it as yet. It is only meant for publicising the craft of jewellery.

TATA Nano to patrol streets if Mumbai police deem it fit

 

The budget car TATA Nano could now be used by the Mumbai Police as a patrol vehicle. Images of the test car are already on the web and the car is being tested to evaluate its suitability as a pursuit vehicle considering its 624 cc engine that generates a mere 48 Nm and a small acceleration.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner has approached TATA Motors that took the lead to offer its services by providing a model for testing. The police have stated that the plan is not concrete yet and a deal will be made only after the vehicle has been tested to its limits for the crucial job.

A senior officer mentioned that the car will take up less space for parking and movement through Mumbai's narrow lanes. It will be advantageous over the motorcycles that are currently is use as its duct could be used to store weapons and communication equipment.

Source: RushLane

Tata Motors to give discounts to Shareholders on Tata Nano

After cajoling the employees of the Tata group to buy the Nano, Tata Motors is trying to persuade its 3.5 lakh shareholders to purchase the world’s cheapest car — at a discount.

The move is seen as an effort to crank up the sales of the Nano, which have declined at an alarming rate over the past three months.

The company, however, has declined to comment on its latest overture to the shareholders.

Earlier, Tata Motors had offered the car to the employees of Tata group companies at sharply reduced prices.



It is learnt that the employees were offered a discount of Rs 25,000 on the high-end variant of the Nano, which carries an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 2.11 lakh in Mumbai.

Sources said the discount to the shareholders would be slightly lower than that for the employees.

The Nano has been Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata’s dream project ever since he conceived the idea for it in 2005. It was formally launched in Delhi in January 2008.

With inventories starting to pile up, the Rs 52,136-crore auto maker went in for a planned maintenance shutdown of its Sanand plant in Gujarat for about two weeks in August. The plant, inaugurated in June 2010, has an installed capacity to produce 250,000 cars a year. It produced just 56,886 units last year.

A combination of factors — an industry-wide slowdown, hiccups in distribution and higher interest rates on loans — has led to the slide in Nano sales, industry sources said. Higher fuel costs since the Nano’s commercial launch in March 2009 and an increase in the price of the car to offset rising input costs have also deterred potential buyers.

 In August this year, Nano sales fell 85 per cent to 1,202 units compared with the year-ago period even as the total sales of Tata Motors declined 3 per cent during the same month. In July this year, the sales of the small car were down 64 per cent.In June, Nano sales dipped 29 per cent.

Ratan Tata has been closely monitoring the Nano and is involved in determining the future course of action to bolster sales of the car that once held out the promise of being an affordable alternative to two-wheelers.

Ratan Tata has been visiting smaller cities such as Patna to obtain first-hand customer feedback, assess the bottlenecks and understand the problems that the Tata dealers face.

As part of the recent scheme to sell the Nano to the employees, a signature of the group chairman was imprinted on the dashboard of a special edition of the car.

On a broader scale, Tata Motors is looking overseas to shore up sales. It is aiming to establish assembly facilities for the Nano in Indonesia and Eastern Europe and has plans to set up similar facilities in Brazil and Southeast Asia.

“The Nano is being sold in Sri Lanka and Nepal. We are looking at assembly facilities possibly in Indonesia and some parts of Eastern Europe. On the whole, we are looking at how we can maximise the penetration of the Nano and some of the other products such as the Ace,” Ratan Tata said at the automobile maker’s annual general meeting recently.

Source: The Telegraph