The journey of 'The Worlds Chepest Car'- THE NANO

Overcoming several odds and defying the odds, Tata Motors? one lakh car- Nano was finally launched. Wide range of protests in Singur, West Bengal, the original site of the project, almost derailed the project last year.

BRAVING MANY odds, Ratan Tata’s dream project 'Nano' has been finally launched. Defying what naysayers opine, Ratan Tata has won a long battle. Realising a long cherished dream that he dreamt six years ago at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003, Tata has made the impossible possible, as many rival car makers ridiculed the idea of Rs 1 lakh car.

Wide range of protests in Singur, West Bengal, the original site of the project, almost derailed the project last year, forcing the car factory to move to Gujarat.

During the unveiling ceremony of the car Ratan Tata said, “The barriers and roadblocks that we face are usually of our own making and these can only be demolished by having the determination to find a solution, even contrary to the conventional wisdom that prevails around us, by breaking tradition.

“Despite what the critics said, despite what our antagonistic did, we pursued our vision to give India an affordable people's car that had not been produced anywhere in the world. In fact, a car that most people said could not be manufactured for that kind of price. But we never took our eyes of our goal. Today, we will present what a young group of engineers and designers gave their all, for about four years to achieve, Tata said.

Powered by a 33 horse power, 624 cc engine, Nano is comfortable for five persons. It is eight per cent smaller than the Maruti 800 externally, while 21 per cent larger in space internally. And in terms of mileage it gives 20 km a litre. The car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual's preference.

Here is a glossary of events that led to the completion of the project: The journey so far of the Rs 1 lakh car:

March 11, 2003

At the Geneva Motor show, Ratan Tata talked about his dream car. He said that the car would cost US$ 2,500.

May 18, 2006

Singur in West Bengal was sought as the production house for the Nano. It was announced by Tata Motors.

January 21, 2007

Foundation stone was laid for the factory in Singur.

August

Ratan Tata said that the project is getting delayed as the impasse over the Tata Motors’ factory in Singur continued between Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Banerjee stuck to her demand of returning 400 acres of factory land to the farmers and refused fresh talks on the issue with Bhattacharjee.

December

Mamata Banerjee went on hunger strike and ruled out any talks with the West Bengal government over the issue. Called roadblock across the state and steered Singur march on December 7.

January 10, 2008

At the Auto Expo in New Delhi, the name of the car was made public.

March 4

The Tata Nano made its European debut in Geneva. At the Geneva Motor Show people’s car Nano was unveiled.

June 27

Violence broke out in Singur during the visit of Tata Motors’ managing director Ravi Kant. This was Kant’s first visit to the place after Trinamool Congress won a majority of the gram panchayats and zilla parishad seats in the area. The Trinamool Congress spearheaded the campaign against the setting up of a car factory in the 1000-acre plot. There were clashes between the police and the locals. While some of the protestors were demanding jobs as assured by the state government, others were demanding the return of their land, which was acquired by the state government for the project.

August
International consultants started returning home and the construction work at the factory was halted.

September 2

Work at Singur suspended. Tata Motors said that it has suspended construction and commissioning of work at the Nano plant in Singur in view of the continued confrontation and agitation at the site. It started considering alternative locations.

September 4

Ratan Tata called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

September 8

Tata Motors threatened to exit West Bengal if there was no let up in violence at Singur.

"We are deeply concerned at the violence and disruption and at the safety of our employees, equipment and investments at the project site at Singur," Tata told reporters.

October 3

Tata pulled out of West Bengal blaming it on continuing agitation by the Opposition parties, spearheaded by Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee.

October 7

After a controversial stay in West Bengal, Tatas shifted the Nano project to Sanand, Ahmedabad, at an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, declaring that efforts will be made to roll out the world's cheapest car from a make-shift plant to meet the deadline.


February 26, 2009

Tata announced that its little city car will finally be launched on March 23 and the Indian automaker will begin accepting orders just a few weeks later.

March 3

Tata Motors presented the Tata Nano Europa at the 79th Geneva Motor Show, intended for a future launch in select international markets.

9th of April 2009

Bookings of Tata Nano will started

9th of April 2009 At 6:46 p.m

R. Sampath-kumar signed a check for 3,809 rupees ($78) and ordered his Tata Nano.