Amidst talk about the dismal November 2010 sales of the Tata Nano, we're soon going to have the Tata Nano V2 hitting showrooms across India. The Tata Nano V2 is expected to come with a host of upgrades according to the sources in the know, which includes a power steering, adjustable seats and a five speed gearbox. The power steering will further endear the Nano to folks who find the manual steering tedious to operate at parking speeds and that includes members of the fairer sex who sorely missed the option of a power steering on the Tata Nano. Tata Motors seems to be taking feedback very seriously and thus, the Nano V2 with a power steering option is a certainty.
The Tata Nano, though diminutive in size and designed primarily, was a car that could easily hold it's own on the highway. One major deterrent to this was the lack of a fifth gear with overdrive that could have made cruising a relaxed affair along with boosting fuel efficiency. Now, the upgraded Nano V2 will also feature the fifth gear to make the Nano more fuel efficient as well as capable of higher highway speeds. We aren't too convinced about increasing the speed at which the Nano can traverse with the addition of the fifth gear as it would be plain dangerous considering the low kerb weight and the overall traffic speed on Indian highways.
Thus far, the cruising speed of the Nano, at 80 Kph has been par for the course and very satisfactory for most Nano owners who seldom are seen hustling the car at triple digit speeds on Indian highways. This means that the fifth gear could be more of an overdrive gear designed to maximize fuel efficiency by allowing the engine to spin at a lower rpm for a particular highway speed rather than one meant to increase the top speed. A better option from Tata Motors' side would be to optimize the gear ratios to ensure quick and safe overtaking as overtaking at highway speeds is one area where the small engine of the Nano shows a bit of a struggle.
Also the addition of the power steering, which in all probability could be a cheap electric powered one which might not weigh up progressively as speeds increase could make steering the Nano V2 at high speeds a very hairy affair. The other significant change we'd hope to see is the relocation or suitable compartmentalization of the exposed battery, which currently resides under the driver seat of the Nano. The 5-10% price hike of the Nano V2 with all these modifications is reasonable as Tata needs to still position the Nano V2 well below the entry level 800cc Maruti Alto if they ever hope to prevent the Maruti Alto from cannibalizing sales of the top end variant of the Nano.
All said, these are observations that we hope Tata Motors have already addressed before launching the Tata Nano V2 in the first quarter of 2011, as these factors are extremely important if Tata is serious about making the Nano, in it's second iteration, an able, relaxed and fuel efficient highway mile muncher in addition to bettering the Nano's credentials as a nifty city run about. Closing words: Bring on the Diesel Nano, Tata!
Tata Motors to rope in Accenture for Nano firefight, strategy review
New Delhi: Dwindling sales of Nano, coupled with recent incidents of the car going up in flames, have led Tata Motors seek professional help to fix the myriad problems.
Industry sources told FE that the company is roping in global consultancy firm Accenture to review issues pertaining to production, quality standards and supply chain management. Accenture would also identify new growth markets for Tata Motors to resurrect brand Nano and push its sales.
"The company would have to re-look at its strategy from scratch for which they are seeking professional help," an industry source said, adding that over the past one month senior officials have been in close touch with Accenture division heads to give steam to a new strategy and identify possible production-related loopholes. "The aim is to review the overall processes within Tata Motors and compare it with its rivals," the source said. However, when contacted a Tata Motors spokesperson denied any such move by the company.
Tata Nano has seen total sales nosedive from 9,000 units in July to just 509 units in November, down 85% from the previous year.
"The company is fighting a battle on two fronts -- engineering and marketing. Today, the nature of the market is such that if the company takes too long to fix the problem, it could run the risk of losing prospective customers," said an auto analyst.
Tata Motors has explained the declining sales of Nano to the fact that it is still in the process of opening up its dealerships on a pan-India level. "All these initiatives will be done across the country, as we expand open sales. Sales will increase, as we go on covering states," the company has said.
As reported by FE earlier, top Tata Motors executives would be meeting later this month to devise a new plan to become a global automaker. The ones slated to attend the meet would include vice-chairman Ravi Kant, group CEO Carl-Peter Forster and managing director (India Operations) PM Telang.
Source: Agencies
Industry sources told FE that the company is roping in global consultancy firm Accenture to review issues pertaining to production, quality standards and supply chain management. Accenture would also identify new growth markets for Tata Motors to resurrect brand Nano and push its sales.
"The company would have to re-look at its strategy from scratch for which they are seeking professional help," an industry source said, adding that over the past one month senior officials have been in close touch with Accenture division heads to give steam to a new strategy and identify possible production-related loopholes. "The aim is to review the overall processes within Tata Motors and compare it with its rivals," the source said. However, when contacted a Tata Motors spokesperson denied any such move by the company.
Tata Nano has seen total sales nosedive from 9,000 units in July to just 509 units in November, down 85% from the previous year.
"The company is fighting a battle on two fronts -- engineering and marketing. Today, the nature of the market is such that if the company takes too long to fix the problem, it could run the risk of losing prospective customers," said an auto analyst.
Tata Motors has explained the declining sales of Nano to the fact that it is still in the process of opening up its dealerships on a pan-India level. "All these initiatives will be done across the country, as we expand open sales. Sales will increase, as we go on covering states," the company has said.
As reported by FE earlier, top Tata Motors executives would be meeting later this month to devise a new plan to become a global automaker. The ones slated to attend the meet would include vice-chairman Ravi Kant, group CEO Carl-Peter Forster and managing director (India Operations) PM Telang.
Source: Agencies
Nano may not stay as cheap as it was - price hike : Tata Motors
The Nano, the world's cheapest car at Rs 1 lakh, may no longer be as cheap, when Tata Motors opens fresh booking later this year.
The company on Tuesday said it had promised to hold the price line for the first lot of Nano buyers, hinting at a hike for fresh buyers. It did not divulge the exact amount of the price hike.
"Deliveries to the first lot of customers should be over by December... prices of commodities and logistics have gone up, so we'll look into the pricing of the car closer to the date of fresh bookings," said Ravi Kant, vice-chairman, Tata Motors.
The Nano is currently manufactured on a makeshift basis at Tata's Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand, which gets tax sops as the region is a zero excise zone. With production at its motherplant Sanand, Gujarat, set to commence from April, tax outgo will go up.
"Pantnagar enjoys some tax sops which Sanand does not. Also, our suppliers transport components from far off areas to Uttarakhand, which increases logistic costs," said Prakash Telang, managing director (India operations), Tata Motors. Tata Motors showcased the electric version of the Nano at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday. This version will be launched in Europe in three years time.
The company on Tuesday said it had promised to hold the price line for the first lot of Nano buyers, hinting at a hike for fresh buyers. It did not divulge the exact amount of the price hike.
"Deliveries to the first lot of customers should be over by December... prices of commodities and logistics have gone up, so we'll look into the pricing of the car closer to the date of fresh bookings," said Ravi Kant, vice-chairman, Tata Motors.
The Nano is currently manufactured on a makeshift basis at Tata's Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand, which gets tax sops as the region is a zero excise zone. With production at its motherplant Sanand, Gujarat, set to commence from April, tax outgo will go up.
"Pantnagar enjoys some tax sops which Sanand does not. Also, our suppliers transport components from far off areas to Uttarakhand, which increases logistic costs," said Prakash Telang, managing director (India operations), Tata Motors. Tata Motors showcased the electric version of the Nano at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday. This version will be launched in Europe in three years time.
TATA NANO THE Fifty Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years
Tata Motors has won kudos for its low-cost Nano, the world’s cheapest car. Here’s one honor the Indian company won’t want to trumpet: According to my BusinessWeek colleague Damian Joseph, the $2,500 Nano is one of the world’s 50 ugliest cars over the past half-century. “Admittedly, appearance wasn’t a design priority for the Nano, which is intended for Indians too poor to buy a regular car,” Joseph writes. “But that doesn’t excuse its egg-like stylings. Even the snub hood and tiny tires can’t draw the eye from the car’s domed top.”
Meanwhile, Tata Motors has other Nano problems. Check out the piece on BusinessWeek’s Asia Channel now by Mehul Srivastava, Ian Rowley and Moon Ihlwan. As they write in the BW story, Tata “may have to work hard to fight perceptions created by being a cheap, made-in-India car in Western markets obsessed with comfort and safety. Since September three Nanos across the country developed a short circuit that caused fire-retardant plastic parts to smoke up from the heat. Tata says it will carry out a preemptive audit of cars sold and in inventory as a precautionary measure, and it has ruled out a recall, choosing instead to replace the supplier for that specific part, called the combination switch.” Three problem cars out of 7,500 sold does not a crisis make. Problem is, when you hype your product as a People’s Car that’s the world’s cheapest, three might be all it takes to create jitters in the marketplace. Sure enough, auto blog GM Inside News already has a comparison between the Nano and the infamous Ford Pinto.
Tata should move fast to defuse the problem. CarTradeIndia.com, an auto industry website, reports today that a Tata spokesman says there have not been “actual cases of Nano catching fires but only smoke due to short circuit around the switch area and the melting of the plastic.” As damage-control strategies go, “No fire, just smoke” probably isn’t going to cut it.
Source: Business News
Meanwhile, Tata Motors has other Nano problems. Check out the piece on BusinessWeek’s Asia Channel now by Mehul Srivastava, Ian Rowley and Moon Ihlwan. As they write in the BW story, Tata “may have to work hard to fight perceptions created by being a cheap, made-in-India car in Western markets obsessed with comfort and safety. Since September three Nanos across the country developed a short circuit that caused fire-retardant plastic parts to smoke up from the heat. Tata says it will carry out a preemptive audit of cars sold and in inventory as a precautionary measure, and it has ruled out a recall, choosing instead to replace the supplier for that specific part, called the combination switch.” Three problem cars out of 7,500 sold does not a crisis make. Problem is, when you hype your product as a People’s Car that’s the world’s cheapest, three might be all it takes to create jitters in the marketplace. Sure enough, auto blog GM Inside News already has a comparison between the Nano and the infamous Ford Pinto.
Tata should move fast to defuse the problem. CarTradeIndia.com, an auto industry website, reports today that a Tata spokesman says there have not been “actual cases of Nano catching fires but only smoke due to short circuit around the switch area and the melting of the plastic.” As damage-control strategies go, “No fire, just smoke” probably isn’t going to cut it.
Source: Business News
Karnataka may be the home for second Nano plant
Karnataka may have narrowly lost the race for housing Tata Motors’ Nano car plant but that is not stopping the southern state from nursing ambitions of winning the second round of the same race. It was late last year when Tata Motors announced that it would set up the first plant for producing the Rs 1-lakh car at Gujarat’s Sanand rather than Karnataka’s Dharwad, among other places.
Now, if all goes well, Karnataka will get a chance to play host to Tata Motors' proposed second Nano car plant in South India. The state government has been assured by the company that Dharwad will be a preferred choice for the company's plans to expand its Nano manufacturing capacity into South India.
The state government, in turn, has assured the company that it will provide the required land as well as tax concessions, similar to those offered by the Gujarat government, for setting up the second Nano car plant, Karnataka minister for medium and large industries Murugesh R Nirani said.
"When Tata Motors initially came to inspect Dharwad, we had offered them 600 acres within 24 hours and had assured another 400 acres in three months. But the company chose to go to Gujarat for reasons best known to them. However, they have told us, for expansion of their Nano car capacity, they will consider Dharwad and we have promised them all possible help," he told Business Standard.
Nirani added the state government recently acquired 2,500 acres at Dharwad, adjacent to the existing Tata Motors' bus plant, where the company had intended to set up the Nano plant. Tata Motors had indicated a requirement of around 1,000 acres.
"We have already discussed this with the company's higher officials. They have plans to set up one more plant in South India for producing the Nano car and they want to do it in Dharwad because it is closer to Pune, where they have a major presence. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has invited us for further talks in this regard and we will soon meet him," Nirani said.
Tata is currently manufacturing the Nano at their plant in Pantnagar. Its dedicated Nano car plant will be operational at Sanand in Gujarat by early 2010.
At Dharwad, Tata Motors currently operates two plants to manufacture construction equipment under the Telcon brand name. It also produces buses in a joint venture with Brazil's Marcopolo. So far, it has acquired 600 acres and employs around 3,500 workers in both the plants. The company has invested close to Rs 500 crore in its bus plant, which started commercial production in January this year.
In addition to Tata's Nano car plant, the state government is also in talks with Korea's car maker Hyundai Motors and the domestic utility vehicle major, Mahindra and Mahindra, for locating their new plants in Karnataka.
Recently, the state government approved an additional investment proposal of Rs 800 crore by Toyota Kirloskar Motors at Bidadi, near Bangalore. The government is also planning to hold a special meeting with the automobile industry very soon in Bangalore, as a precursor to its forthcoming global investors' meet scheduled to be held in January 2010, Nirani added.
Source: Business Standard (MSN News)
Now, if all goes well, Karnataka will get a chance to play host to Tata Motors' proposed second Nano car plant in South India. The state government has been assured by the company that Dharwad will be a preferred choice for the company's plans to expand its Nano manufacturing capacity into South India.
The state government, in turn, has assured the company that it will provide the required land as well as tax concessions, similar to those offered by the Gujarat government, for setting up the second Nano car plant, Karnataka minister for medium and large industries Murugesh R Nirani said.
"When Tata Motors initially came to inspect Dharwad, we had offered them 600 acres within 24 hours and had assured another 400 acres in three months. But the company chose to go to Gujarat for reasons best known to them. However, they have told us, for expansion of their Nano car capacity, they will consider Dharwad and we have promised them all possible help," he told Business Standard.
Nirani added the state government recently acquired 2,500 acres at Dharwad, adjacent to the existing Tata Motors' bus plant, where the company had intended to set up the Nano plant. Tata Motors had indicated a requirement of around 1,000 acres.
"We have already discussed this with the company's higher officials. They have plans to set up one more plant in South India for producing the Nano car and they want to do it in Dharwad because it is closer to Pune, where they have a major presence. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has invited us for further talks in this regard and we will soon meet him," Nirani said.
Tata is currently manufacturing the Nano at their plant in Pantnagar. Its dedicated Nano car plant will be operational at Sanand in Gujarat by early 2010.
At Dharwad, Tata Motors currently operates two plants to manufacture construction equipment under the Telcon brand name. It also produces buses in a joint venture with Brazil's Marcopolo. So far, it has acquired 600 acres and employs around 3,500 workers in both the plants. The company has invested close to Rs 500 crore in its bus plant, which started commercial production in January this year.
In addition to Tata's Nano car plant, the state government is also in talks with Korea's car maker Hyundai Motors and the domestic utility vehicle major, Mahindra and Mahindra, for locating their new plants in Karnataka.
Recently, the state government approved an additional investment proposal of Rs 800 crore by Toyota Kirloskar Motors at Bidadi, near Bangalore. The government is also planning to hold a special meeting with the automobile industry very soon in Bangalore, as a precursor to its forthcoming global investors' meet scheduled to be held in January 2010, Nirani added.
Source: Business Standard (MSN News)
12:34:56-7/8/9 What might Nano Gift at this magic time..? Gasses....
Digital time will be 12:34:56-7/8/9 at 12.34pm today
BE alert and alarmed - history is in the making. Blink and you'll miss it. At exactly 56 seconds past 12.34pm today, the digital time will be 12:34:56-7/8/9. If we look in the history this is a very lucky time, many great things come in to light on this magic time at 12:34:56-7/8/9 like, Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee, the founder of WWW was found on 12:34:56 89 So
what might happen this time..
My gasses:
Spend time with some one you love,
All this points are just for joke and comedy only, they are all false and will not happen..
Here are the details about the magic time 12:34:56-7/8/9 :
Miss the numerical nuance and it won't come again for another 81 years, the Herald Sun reports.
But while setting an alarm for 12:34 might appeal, not everyone thinks this time's worth the effort.
Numerologists say it's no big deal and our official time lords, the National Measurement Institute, will barely give it a second's thought.
The Watch and Clockmakers of Australia (incorporating the Horological Guild), though, doesn't need any winding up.
Its state secretary, John Mohan, said the special second was quite fascinating."It's quite unique. I'll definitely be watching it," Mr Mohan said.
"We've got our AGM coming up next week and they'll all be talking about it, for sure. "It's those sort of things myself and other members are quite interested with. "Maybe they'll have it up on the big screen at Federation Square?"
In the US, where they write months and days the wrong way around, the magic moment came on July 8. A YouTube video of it happening drew almost 1200 comments. Some were already looking forward to the next, even better one, in 2090, when a final zero will follow the nine. Dr Bruce Warrington, the scientist in charge of Australia's best and official clock, isn't too fussed about today's moment in time.
His caesium atom-based atomic clock at the institute is a $100,000 job accurate to one second in 30,000 years.
Dr Warrington's magic moment comes every 18 months or so when a leap second is added to reconcile its accurate clock with the earth's haphazard rotation. He says he won't be wasting time clock-watching at 12:34. "It's not particularly special for us because every time, for us, is special," he said.Melanie Evans from Visionary - the Spiritual Institute of Australia - said from a numerologist's perspective, it was a second-rate second.
"It is quirky, it is different, it is unusual," she said. "But from a numerological point of view, er, no."
Source:http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25894584-421,00.html
BE alert and alarmed - history is in the making. Blink and you'll miss it. At exactly 56 seconds past 12.34pm today, the digital time will be 12:34:56-7/8/9. If we look in the history this is a very lucky time, many great things come in to light on this magic time at 12:34:56-7/8/9 like, Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee, the founder of WWW was found on 12:34:56 89 So
what might happen this time..
My gasses:
- Will WHO give medicine to AIDS?
- Will Tata Group Start a new Nano car for 1000 Rs/- ?
- Will all the Traffic jams Problems in world go out of world?
- Will Reliance give all the KG basin gas to AP ?
Spend time with some one you love,
All this points are just for joke and comedy only, they are all false and will not happen..
Here are the details about the magic time 12:34:56-7/8/9 :
Miss the numerical nuance and it won't come again for another 81 years, the Herald Sun reports.
But while setting an alarm for 12:34 might appeal, not everyone thinks this time's worth the effort.
Numerologists say it's no big deal and our official time lords, the National Measurement Institute, will barely give it a second's thought.
The Watch and Clockmakers of Australia (incorporating the Horological Guild), though, doesn't need any winding up.
Its state secretary, John Mohan, said the special second was quite fascinating."It's quite unique. I'll definitely be watching it," Mr Mohan said.
"We've got our AGM coming up next week and they'll all be talking about it, for sure. "It's those sort of things myself and other members are quite interested with. "Maybe they'll have it up on the big screen at Federation Square?"
In the US, where they write months and days the wrong way around, the magic moment came on July 8. A YouTube video of it happening drew almost 1200 comments. Some were already looking forward to the next, even better one, in 2090, when a final zero will follow the nine. Dr Bruce Warrington, the scientist in charge of Australia's best and official clock, isn't too fussed about today's moment in time.
His caesium atom-based atomic clock at the institute is a $100,000 job accurate to one second in 30,000 years.
Dr Warrington's magic moment comes every 18 months or so when a leap second is added to reconcile its accurate clock with the earth's haphazard rotation. He says he won't be wasting time clock-watching at 12:34. "It's not particularly special for us because every time, for us, is special," he said.Melanie Evans from Visionary - the Spiritual Institute of Australia - said from a numerologist's perspective, it was a second-rate second.
"It is quirky, it is different, it is unusual," she said. "But from a numerological point of view, er, no."
Source:http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25894584-421,00.html
'Nano' a buzzword for the Tata Group New project on way
With the success of the Nano car, the word 'Nano' has become a buzzword within the Tata group, with practically every company of the group wanting to do some 'Nano' (low-cost) project, R. Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Tata Sons Ltd, said on Monday. Speaking to journalists here on 'Innovation and innovativeness - The Tata Experience', Gopalakrishnan said that there were many 'Nano' projects in the offing, such as Nano Housing, the proposed low-cost housing project of the Tatas. In one of the presentations made to the media by the Tata Group officials today, showed a 'Nano cement' - but that came in the list of projects that had not taken off.
Need to innovate
Gopalakrishnan observed that the next decade would be one marked by the need to innovate. This in mind, the Tata Group has begun to streamline and document the innovations that are happening in the group companies.
A Tata Group innovation forum has been set up to formalise innovation, which includes cross pollination of ideas and a system of recognition and awards. The idea is to foster the culture of innovation and as such, there is a category of awards even for failed innovation projects.
Dr Santanu Chakrabarti of Tata Steels Ltd spoke of a successful attempt in the company to reduce time, and consumption of water, in the process of annealing steel. The team that worked on the project substituted water with 'nano liquid' - a water-based solution containing suspended solids (fine grains of metal oxides).
For a one-time investment of Rs 50 lakh, the company would save Rs 5 crore annually, but more significantly, the company will be able to make more steel with less waterOne of the presentations said that the number of innovation projects registered for awards rose from 101 in 2006 to 1,712 in 2009. The number of failed projects that were nominated for awards increased from 12 in 2007 to 115 in 2009.
One of the 'failed projects' was of Tata Tetley. The company wanted to bring in flavours in the form of soluble capsules - you put them in your drink (any drink) to get the flavour you want. It did not work out, but the company is now working on the concept with liquids and sprays.
Another failed concept was a plastic door for the Nano car. The door, with reinforced metal bars, passed every crash test, but was still rejected because it might be perceived by the public as unsafe.
Need to innovate
Gopalakrishnan observed that the next decade would be one marked by the need to innovate. This in mind, the Tata Group has begun to streamline and document the innovations that are happening in the group companies.
A Tata Group innovation forum has been set up to formalise innovation, which includes cross pollination of ideas and a system of recognition and awards. The idea is to foster the culture of innovation and as such, there is a category of awards even for failed innovation projects.
Dr Santanu Chakrabarti of Tata Steels Ltd spoke of a successful attempt in the company to reduce time, and consumption of water, in the process of annealing steel. The team that worked on the project substituted water with 'nano liquid' - a water-based solution containing suspended solids (fine grains of metal oxides).
For a one-time investment of Rs 50 lakh, the company would save Rs 5 crore annually, but more significantly, the company will be able to make more steel with less waterOne of the presentations said that the number of innovation projects registered for awards rose from 101 in 2006 to 1,712 in 2009. The number of failed projects that were nominated for awards increased from 12 in 2007 to 115 in 2009.
One of the 'failed projects' was of Tata Tetley. The company wanted to bring in flavours in the form of soluble capsules - you put them in your drink (any drink) to get the flavour you want. It did not work out, but the company is now working on the concept with liquids and sprays.
Another failed concept was a plastic door for the Nano car. The door, with reinforced metal bars, passed every crash test, but was still rejected because it might be perceived by the public as unsafe.
The nano breed - Nano Pickup Truck
On the July edition of Overdrive, a popular monthly magazine in India, pictures of the Tata Nano pickup truck test mule were published. Overdrive say this vehicle was testing with its loading area packed with cans on the outskirts of Pune, in the vicinity of Tata’s production plant.
aaa
A single wiper, three wheel lugs and a similar dashboard layout substantiate its Nano mechanicals. The engine was apparently mounted at the rear axle and sounded exactly like the Nano’s twin cylinder exhaust tune.
The Nano’s platform as we said earlier will not end with just a passenger car. We are not sure what else it can give rise to, maybe only a Nano tractor wouldn’t come about.
aaa
A single wiper, three wheel lugs and a similar dashboard layout substantiate its Nano mechanicals. The engine was apparently mounted at the rear axle and sounded exactly like the Nano’s twin cylinder exhaust tune.
The Nano’s platform as we said earlier will not end with just a passenger car. We are not sure what else it can give rise to, maybe only a Nano tractor wouldn’t come about.
Tata Nano has passed its first basic EC structural safety tests
The diminutive Tata Nano has passed its first basic EC structural safety tests which will becomes Indian structural safety standard in 2012. The tests were conducted at UK’s MIRA test center under the supervision of Nic Fasci, type approval engineer from Britain’s Vehicle Certification Authority.
Two slightly modified Tata Nano cars flown in from India to the MIRA test center and were subjected to a 50 kmph side impact and a 56 kmph offset frontal impact test, the minimum required for any vehicle to be sold in Europe.
Tata Engineering chief Clive Hickman said the aim of the tests was to show that with basic modifications the present car could meet the existing safety regulations and set the vehicle on course for a European version to be ready by 2012.
Video: Tata Nano Crash TestTata Motors said it was “delighted but not surprised” that its Nano subcompact passed European front- and side-impact crash tests last week.
Tata Motors is intending to subject the Nano’s European version to NCAP testing and is confident of getting a 4-Star safety rating.
The modifications to the Tata Nano included extra foam added to the cant rail, a reinforced longitudinal structure and some added strength behind the front bumper and in the front doors.
“It looks no different from other cars doing this test. It’s a good crash.” said Nic Fasci, approval engineer from Britian Vehicle Certificaion Authority who certified the tests.
The crash tests included a 40 percent offset and a 56km/h (35 m.p.h.) frontal impact, and are tougher than those that exist in India — currently the Nano’s only market — but they are due to be adopted in India in three years’ time.
Farmers to operate irrigation pumps by cell - Nano Ganesh
Telecom service provider, Tata Teleservices(TTSL), has launched a new product offering, especially for the rural community. Under a project named as Nano Ganesh, TTSL will be offering services that allows the farmers to operate their irrigation pumps from remote location without having to travel tens of kms to and fro daily. The telecom service provider has tied up with Ossian Agro Automation to offer remote device access to regulate the irrigation systems.
According to Naveen Bhasin, chief operating officer, Gujarat, Tata Teleservices Limited, "Tata Indicom is first operator in India to partner with Ossian Agro to offer remote access to irrigation pumps using a mobile phone Nano Ganesh — a radical move to save electricity, time, money and resources like water. We have launched a pilot project as part of the inauguration at Sojitra in Anand district of Gujarat."
To know more about Tata Nano Ganesh click here
Under the service, farmers will have to buy Tata Indicom mobile connection and a mobile modem that will be attached to the starter of the pump set. After registration, the subscriber (farmer) will be provided with a unique code number. Using the mobile handset, the farmer can remotely switch on and switch off the pump set with the assigned code number. The farmer can also check the on/off status as well as the availability of power by a particular tone.
"This service is exceptionally functional in order to save lot of time and energy in the regions that have erratic power supply," added Bhasin.
The subscriber shall be charged Rs 2,700 for the device and additional for the handset that offers lifetime validity. The service comprises two handsets that shall be provided with the bundled offer — one installed with the device and the other remains with the farmer. All calls made to the pump by the Tata Indicom mobile shall be free whereas the other calls charged as per the tariff plan given to the subscriber.
Talking further about the launch, Bhasin said, "We are extremely delighted to partner with Ossian Agro Automation for launching Nano Ganesh. With Tata Indicom network support, the farmers can remotely access their irrigation pumps which will help them improve productivity, and save electricity costs and have better return on investment. Through our various rural initiatives like Sahayak, MKrishi, and Nano Ganesh amongst others, Tata Indicom is constantly innovating and devising new techniques to reach out to the basic needs of rural India."
According to Naveen Bhasin, chief operating officer, Gujarat, Tata Teleservices Limited, "Tata Indicom is first operator in India to partner with Ossian Agro to offer remote access to irrigation pumps using a mobile phone Nano Ganesh — a radical move to save electricity, time, money and resources like water. We have launched a pilot project as part of the inauguration at Sojitra in Anand district of Gujarat."
To know more about Tata Nano Ganesh click here
Under the service, farmers will have to buy Tata Indicom mobile connection and a mobile modem that will be attached to the starter of the pump set. After registration, the subscriber (farmer) will be provided with a unique code number. Using the mobile handset, the farmer can remotely switch on and switch off the pump set with the assigned code number. The farmer can also check the on/off status as well as the availability of power by a particular tone.
"This service is exceptionally functional in order to save lot of time and energy in the regions that have erratic power supply," added Bhasin.
The subscriber shall be charged Rs 2,700 for the device and additional for the handset that offers lifetime validity. The service comprises two handsets that shall be provided with the bundled offer — one installed with the device and the other remains with the farmer. All calls made to the pump by the Tata Indicom mobile shall be free whereas the other calls charged as per the tariff plan given to the subscriber.
Talking further about the launch, Bhasin said, "We are extremely delighted to partner with Ossian Agro Automation for launching Nano Ganesh. With Tata Indicom network support, the farmers can remotely access their irrigation pumps which will help them improve productivity, and save electricity costs and have better return on investment. Through our various rural initiatives like Sahayak, MKrishi, and Nano Ganesh amongst others, Tata Indicom is constantly innovating and devising new techniques to reach out to the basic needs of rural India."
Electric car form TATA Costly then Tata Nano - says rathan tata on global warming day
Indian conglomerate Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has said that Tata Motors will have an electric car in the market by September this year.
"We will have an electric car in the market in September," Tata was quoted as saying by Cornell University on its micro-blogging feed on Twitter. Tata is also a Cornell trustee.
He talked about the electric car at the Cornell Global Forum on Sustainable Global Enterprise organised by the university.
In 2008, Ratan Tata speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Tata Motors said that the company was developing an electric car.
Foreign media also reported quoting Tata at the forum that Tata Nano, dubbed as the world's cheapest car, is expected to be available in the US in the next two years.
The much-awaited Nano was commercially launched in March in India and is expected to hit the roads soon.
According to the university website, the Tata Education and Development Trust committed USD 50 million to Cornell in October 2008 to establish the Tata Scholarship Fund for Students from India and the Tata-Cornell Initiative in Agriculture and Nutrition, intended to improve the lives and livelihoods of India's rural poor.
At Tata Motors' annual general meeting this week chairman Ratan Tata told shareholders about an electric car partnership project with Norway, with the car to launch in Norway within the next 12 months, according to Swedish weekly Ny Teknik, and India afterward. Calcutta Telegraph said Tata will use its Indica platform for the development of its electric car, not the no-frills, $2,500 Nano, which is scheduled to start rolling off production lines in September. Tata is currently working on five prototypes of electric vehicles, the Telegraph said, with lithium-ion batteries and an approximate range of 200 kilometers. Indica is a full-size highway-ready car, but Tata hasn't said whether the Indica-based EV will also be full-sized or an NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle), or given price signals.
Scandinavia cornering electric vehicle market?
Tata's electric car is supposed to be initially assembled in Norway, which seems a bit strange given the country's high wages compared to India. On the other hand, with THINK and the Kewet Buddy under production and Miljøbil Gronland working to continually beef up the infrastructure of fast recharging stations, Norway has some accumulated EV competence.
Reva electric car's strong sales
Tata earlier partnered with Chrysler's electric vehicle unit Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) to develop and market an electric version of its light commercial vehicle Ace for sale in the United States, according to Germany's Spiegel Magazine. Spiegel also said India's electric car maker Reva has sold 2,500 units, including 1,000 in the UK, and is hiking capacity to 30,000 units by December from 6,000 now.
Tata's mystery electric car partner
THINK thus far gave no indication that it was Tata's EV partner, nor did Kewet, according to Ny Teknik. But Miljøbil Gronland, though refusing to give any details, did say it "has a project with India" according to Ny Teknik. Owned by government-owned Norsk Hydro, Miljøbil Gronland has a fleet of different EVs and hybrids that it leases to Norwegian consumers.
"We will have an electric car in the market in September," Tata was quoted as saying by Cornell University on its micro-blogging feed on Twitter. Tata is also a Cornell trustee.
He talked about the electric car at the Cornell Global Forum on Sustainable Global Enterprise organised by the university.
In 2008, Ratan Tata speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Tata Motors said that the company was developing an electric car.
Foreign media also reported quoting Tata at the forum that Tata Nano, dubbed as the world's cheapest car, is expected to be available in the US in the next two years.
The much-awaited Nano was commercially launched in March in India and is expected to hit the roads soon.
According to the university website, the Tata Education and Development Trust committed USD 50 million to Cornell in October 2008 to establish the Tata Scholarship Fund for Students from India and the Tata-Cornell Initiative in Agriculture and Nutrition, intended to improve the lives and livelihoods of India's rural poor.
At Tata Motors' annual general meeting this week chairman Ratan Tata told shareholders about an electric car partnership project with Norway, with the car to launch in Norway within the next 12 months, according to Swedish weekly Ny Teknik, and India afterward. Calcutta Telegraph said Tata will use its Indica platform for the development of its electric car, not the no-frills, $2,500 Nano, which is scheduled to start rolling off production lines in September. Tata is currently working on five prototypes of electric vehicles, the Telegraph said, with lithium-ion batteries and an approximate range of 200 kilometers. Indica is a full-size highway-ready car, but Tata hasn't said whether the Indica-based EV will also be full-sized or an NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle), or given price signals.
Scandinavia cornering electric vehicle market?
Tata's electric car is supposed to be initially assembled in Norway, which seems a bit strange given the country's high wages compared to India. On the other hand, with THINK and the Kewet Buddy under production and Miljøbil Gronland working to continually beef up the infrastructure of fast recharging stations, Norway has some accumulated EV competence.
Reva electric car's strong sales
Tata earlier partnered with Chrysler's electric vehicle unit Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) to develop and market an electric version of its light commercial vehicle Ace for sale in the United States, according to Germany's Spiegel Magazine. Spiegel also said India's electric car maker Reva has sold 2,500 units, including 1,000 in the UK, and is hiking capacity to 30,000 units by December from 6,000 now.
Tata's mystery electric car partner
THINK thus far gave no indication that it was Tata's EV partner, nor did Kewet, according to Ny Teknik. But Miljøbil Gronland, though refusing to give any details, did say it "has a project with India" according to Ny Teknik. Owned by government-owned Norsk Hydro, Miljøbil Gronland has a fleet of different EVs and hybrids that it leases to Norwegian consumers.
Bookings for Tata's 'Nano' house starts on May 11th
Bookings for Tata's low-cost houses - that will come for as low as Rs 4 lakh - starts on Monday.
The initial booking amount is Rs 10,000 and booking application forms are available at SBI branches. Bookings can be made through bank pay order at selected branches of SBI bank across Mumbai. Applicants can purchase the application form booklet at Rs 200.
Bookings have to be made in the next 20 days and the first list and the waiting list is expected 15 days after the final booking day.
Tata Housing, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, launched its low-cost housing initiative - the Shubh Griha project - on Wednesday. The company plans to build apartments that will be priced at around Rs 4 to Rs 7 lakh.
The first Shubh Griha township will be launched at Boisar in Mumbai.
Tata Housing has tied up with SBI and HDFC to help potential buyers with finance options.
The initial booking amount is Rs 10,000 and booking application forms are available at SBI branches. Bookings can be made through bank pay order at selected branches of SBI bank across Mumbai. Applicants can purchase the application form booklet at Rs 200.
Bookings have to be made in the next 20 days and the first list and the waiting list is expected 15 days after the final booking day.
Tata Housing, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, launched its low-cost housing initiative - the Shubh Griha project - on Wednesday. The company plans to build apartments that will be priced at around Rs 4 to Rs 7 lakh.
The first Shubh Griha township will be launched at Boisar in Mumbai.
Tata Housing has tied up with SBI and HDFC to help potential buyers with finance options.
Tata Nano | Test Drive Review | Interiors Review | Exterior Reviews | Performance Reviews | Engine Reviews
Tata Nano Reviews on Engine, Gearbox and Performance
Now for the part about our test drive report that is the most awaited of all. Unlike what was being rumoured, the Nano has a surprisingly refined and capable 624cc petrol engine. The engine does not sound like that of an autorickshaw or a genset and is also not too strained when pushed during heavy acceleration.
Of course, the two-cylinder, MPFI engine, with a rated peak power of 35 PS, is tuned and mapped for fuel efficient performance. Its top speed has also been limited at 105 kmph with the help of an engine-rpm sensor and fuel cut-off mechanism. The fuel is cut-off at 5,600 rpm and fuel delivery is restarted once the engine rpm fall below the 5,550 rpm level. More...
Higher Claims and Reinsurance on Nano - Review
Higher loss claims and the possibility of non-proportionate reinsurance being factored into insurance policies taken for the Tata Nano, cannot be ruled out. This may necessitate the five insurance companies insuring the Nano to review the annual premiums that are currently expected to be in the range of 2.5 to 3 per cent of the insured declared value (IDC) of the model when it rolls out from the factory.
First time drivers graduating from two-wheelers, a larger expected commercial usage of the vehicle due to its low-ticket value, may increase the accident frequency. This may raise the possibility of higher loss claims accruing to insurers and consequent higher overhead expenses due to the low price of the Nano. More..
Tata Nano Exterior Reviews
There are few examples of an automobile that is as sharply focused on one issue as is the Nano on frugality - of manufacture, of acquisition and of regular maintenance.
And so, every single part of the car was approached with a fresh intent and without the pre-fixed notion of how it already exists in other cars. The idea was to keep the weight of the car low, so that it can offer high fuel-efficiency, meet emission norms and be capable of being manufactured within the pre-defined cost. These points were also important to ensure that the theme of frugality can be extended to include low cost of ownership. More..
Tata Nano Interiors Review
Much has already been written about the Nano’s vital statistics in terms of interior space compared to its nearest rival – the Maruti 800. But, it still does take you by surprise when you get to sit inside the Nano and personally get a feel of the space that has been leveraged out of a tall, relatively narrow outer shell.
There is considerable headroom and the fact that there is no engine under bonnet in the front helps the Nano offer deep foot wells and so lots of legroom for front passengers. At 1,652mm, the Nano is about 6 cms taller than the Hyundai Santro Xing, the tall-boy of small cars and it is also wider than both the small cars. More..
Test Driving the Tata Nano Review
Before allowing me behind the wheel of a Tata Nano test car at Tata Motors’ engineering research center and high-speed testing center here two hours south of Mumbai, a team of engineers told the story of the car’s gestation.
Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, envisioned a safe, affordable and all-weather form of transport for Indian families that couldn’t afford a car. The vehicle Mr. Tata dreamed of would have a starting price of only 100,000 rupees ($2,000). More..
Now for the part about our test drive report that is the most awaited of all. Unlike what was being rumoured, the Nano has a surprisingly refined and capable 624cc petrol engine. The engine does not sound like that of an autorickshaw or a genset and is also not too strained when pushed during heavy acceleration.
Of course, the two-cylinder, MPFI engine, with a rated peak power of 35 PS, is tuned and mapped for fuel efficient performance. Its top speed has also been limited at 105 kmph with the help of an engine-rpm sensor and fuel cut-off mechanism. The fuel is cut-off at 5,600 rpm and fuel delivery is restarted once the engine rpm fall below the 5,550 rpm level. More...
Higher Claims and Reinsurance on Nano - Review
Higher loss claims and the possibility of non-proportionate reinsurance being factored into insurance policies taken for the Tata Nano, cannot be ruled out. This may necessitate the five insurance companies insuring the Nano to review the annual premiums that are currently expected to be in the range of 2.5 to 3 per cent of the insured declared value (IDC) of the model when it rolls out from the factory.
First time drivers graduating from two-wheelers, a larger expected commercial usage of the vehicle due to its low-ticket value, may increase the accident frequency. This may raise the possibility of higher loss claims accruing to insurers and consequent higher overhead expenses due to the low price of the Nano. More..
Tata Nano Exterior Reviews
There are few examples of an automobile that is as sharply focused on one issue as is the Nano on frugality - of manufacture, of acquisition and of regular maintenance.
And so, every single part of the car was approached with a fresh intent and without the pre-fixed notion of how it already exists in other cars. The idea was to keep the weight of the car low, so that it can offer high fuel-efficiency, meet emission norms and be capable of being manufactured within the pre-defined cost. These points were also important to ensure that the theme of frugality can be extended to include low cost of ownership. More..
Tata Nano Interiors Review
Much has already been written about the Nano’s vital statistics in terms of interior space compared to its nearest rival – the Maruti 800. But, it still does take you by surprise when you get to sit inside the Nano and personally get a feel of the space that has been leveraged out of a tall, relatively narrow outer shell.
There is considerable headroom and the fact that there is no engine under bonnet in the front helps the Nano offer deep foot wells and so lots of legroom for front passengers. At 1,652mm, the Nano is about 6 cms taller than the Hyundai Santro Xing, the tall-boy of small cars and it is also wider than both the small cars. More..
Test Driving the Tata Nano Review
Before allowing me behind the wheel of a Tata Nano test car at Tata Motors’ engineering research center and high-speed testing center here two hours south of Mumbai, a team of engineers told the story of the car’s gestation.
Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, envisioned a safe, affordable and all-weather form of transport for Indian families that couldn’t afford a car. The vehicle Mr. Tata dreamed of would have a starting price of only 100,000 rupees ($2,000). More..
Nano Booking Closed
Tata Nano booking acceptance closes, Tata Motors is thinking of extending the booking date for neno
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850; Retail auto loan available at interest rates starting from 9%; Insurance premium starts at Rs.3468 (ex New Delhi)
The booking of the Tata Nano opens tomorrow on April 9th and will continue up to the end of day on April 25, 2009. Tata Motors has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/NBFCs to enable prospective customers to get finance and facilitate booking of the car.
The sale of application forms has already started from April 1, to a very encouraging response. The Tata Nano website has recorded over 50 million (5 crore) hits, including over 20 million (2 crore) hits in the fortnight since the launch on March 23, 2009. The forms are available at a price of Rs.300 (for online booking Rs.200). The forms can be bought at over 30,000 locations in about 1,000 cities through Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, State Bank of India and its branches, its subsidiaries and associates, other preferred financiers, and outlets of Westside, Croma, ‘World of Titan’ and Tata Indicom exclusive stores. The forms come with a range of offers from select associate Tata Group companies up to Rs.1100.
Customers can either pay the entire booking amount -- of Rs.95,000 (Tata Nano Std.), Rs.120,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs.140,000 (Tata Nano LX) -- themselves or seek financing of the booking amount.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850
The company’s partnership with the preferred financing partners has enabled attractive options of financing the booking amount, which start from a low of Rs.2850. The details are as follows:
Customers can submit their application forms to their chosen financier. The financier will, on their behalf, submit their application forms to the State Bank of India, which is managing the booking process. Those who are themselves paying the entire booking amount can submit their application forms directly to State Bank of India through 1,350 notified branches in 850 cites, and also at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, Westside and Croma outlets. Option to submit bookings online is available at www.tatanano.com.
Retail auto loan interest rates for the Tata Nano
Post the successful allotment of the bookings, customers can convert their booking loan into a retail auto loan for the Tata Nano at very attractive rates with the preferred financiers:
Insurance premium for the Tata Nano
Tata Motors has also entered into agreements with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner, for the Tata Nano at a rate of just 2.76% of the ex-showroom price of the car, the most competitive in the industry. In New Delhi, the insurance premiums will be as follows:
The empanelled insurance companies are National Insurance Co Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance Co Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC Ergo General Insurance.
Deliveries
Within 60 days of the closure of bookings on April 25th , 2009, Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries, through a computerised random selection procedure. These 100,000 allotments will be price protected for the launch prices till delivery of the cars but the booking amounts will not bear any interest for the customers. Deliveries will commence from July 2009.
Applicants have the option to retain their booking deposit, even if they do not get allotment in the first phase. Those who choose this option will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at a rate of 8.5% for retention period between one year to two year and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years. Allotment of retainees will be simultaneously communicated, along with the allotment of the first 100,000 cars.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850; Retail auto loan available at interest rates starting from 9%; Insurance premium starts at Rs.3468 (ex New Delhi)
The booking of the Tata Nano opens tomorrow on April 9th and will continue up to the end of day on April 25, 2009. Tata Motors has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/NBFCs to enable prospective customers to get finance and facilitate booking of the car.
The sale of application forms has already started from April 1, to a very encouraging response. The Tata Nano website has recorded over 50 million (5 crore) hits, including over 20 million (2 crore) hits in the fortnight since the launch on March 23, 2009. The forms are available at a price of Rs.300 (for online booking Rs.200). The forms can be bought at over 30,000 locations in about 1,000 cities through Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, State Bank of India and its branches, its subsidiaries and associates, other preferred financiers, and outlets of Westside, Croma, ‘World of Titan’ and Tata Indicom exclusive stores. The forms come with a range of offers from select associate Tata Group companies up to Rs.1100.
Customers can either pay the entire booking amount -- of Rs.95,000 (Tata Nano Std.), Rs.120,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs.140,000 (Tata Nano LX) -- themselves or seek financing of the booking amount.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850
The company’s partnership with the preferred financing partners has enabled attractive options of financing the booking amount, which start from a low of Rs.2850. The details are as follows:
| Preferred banks/NBFCs | |
| Bank Name | Financing of booking amount of Rs.95000 for the Tata Nano Std. version |
| State Bank of India | Rs. 2,999 |
| Canara Bank | Rs. 2,850 |
| Tata Motor Finance | Rs. 3,199 |
| Corporation Bank | Rs. 2,999 |
| Central Bank of India | Rs. 3,256 |
| Indian bank | Rs. 3,343 |
| State Bank of Tranvancore | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Indore | Rs. 3,516 |
| State Bank of Patiala | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Hyderabad | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Mysore | Rs. 2,999 |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Rs. 2,999 |
| Union Bank of India | Rs. 2,950 |
| United Bank of India | Rs. 3,137 |
| Punjab National Bank | Rs. 3,733 |
| UCO Bank | Rs. 2,975 |
| The Federal Bank Ltd. | Rs. 4,110 |
| Corporation Bank | Rs. 2,999 |
Customers can submit their application forms to their chosen financier. The financier will, on their behalf, submit their application forms to the State Bank of India, which is managing the booking process. Those who are themselves paying the entire booking amount can submit their application forms directly to State Bank of India through 1,350 notified branches in 850 cites, and also at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, Westside and Croma outlets. Option to submit bookings online is available at www.tatanano.com.
Retail auto loan interest rates for the Tata Nano
Post the successful allotment of the bookings, customers can convert their booking loan into a retail auto loan for the Tata Nano at very attractive rates with the preferred financiers:
| Retail auto loan interest rates | |
| Preferred banks/NBFCs | Interest rate post Allotment |
| State Bank of India | 11.75% |
| Canara Bank | 9.5-11% |
| Tata Motor Finance | 12 – 13% |
| Corporation Bank | 11-11.5% |
| Central Bank of India | 9.5-11% |
| Indian bank | 11% |
| State Bank of Tranvancore | 11.75-12% |
| State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur | 11.75% |
| State Bank of Indore | 11.50% |
| State Bank of Patiala | 11.50 – 12% |
| State Bank of Hyderabad | 11.75% |
| State Bank of Mysore | 11.25-11.75% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | 13.00% |
| Union Bank of India | 11-11.25% |
| United Bank of India | 9% |
| Punjab National Bank | 11% |
| UCO Bank | 11 – 11.50% |
| The Federal Bank Ltd. | 14.25% |
| Corporation Bank | 11-11.5% |
Insurance premium for the Tata Nano
Tata Motors has also entered into agreements with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner, for the Tata Nano at a rate of just 2.76% of the ex-showroom price of the car, the most competitive in the industry. In New Delhi, the insurance premiums will be as follows:
| Nano | Nano CX | Nano LX | |
| Ex-showroom price New Delhi (Rs.) | 123360 | 148360 | 172360 |
| Insurance premium (Rs.) | 3468 | 3959 | 4431 |
The empanelled insurance companies are National Insurance Co Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance Co Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC Ergo General Insurance.
Deliveries
Within 60 days of the closure of bookings on April 25th , 2009, Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries, through a computerised random selection procedure. These 100,000 allotments will be price protected for the launch prices till delivery of the cars but the booking amounts will not bear any interest for the customers. Deliveries will commence from July 2009.
Applicants have the option to retain their booking deposit, even if they do not get allotment in the first phase. Those who choose this option will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at a rate of 8.5% for retention period between one year to two year and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years. Allotment of retainees will be simultaneously communicated, along with the allotment of the first 100,000 cars.
Only 48 Hours left to Book Tata Nano..
Tata Nano booking acceptance opens till end of day April 25, that is only 48 hours more left to book your nano car. Tata Motors is thinking of extending the booking date for neno
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850; Retail auto loan available at interest rates starting from 9%; Insurance premium starts at Rs.3468 (ex New Delhi)
The booking of the Tata Nano opens tomorrow on April 9th and will continue up to the end of day on April 25, 2009. Tata Motors has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/NBFCs to enable prospective customers to get finance and facilitate booking of the car.
The sale of application forms has already started from April 1, to a very encouraging response. The Tata Nano website has recorded over 50 million (5 crore) hits, including over 20 million (2 crore) hits in the fortnight since the launch on March 23, 2009. The forms are available at a price of Rs.300 (for online booking Rs.200). The forms can be bought at over 30,000 locations in about 1,000 cities through Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, State Bank of India and its branches, its subsidiaries and associates, other preferred financiers, and outlets of Westside, Croma, ‘World of Titan’ and Tata Indicom exclusive stores. The forms come with a range of offers from select associate Tata Group companies up to Rs.1100.
Customers can either pay the entire booking amount -- of Rs.95,000 (Tata Nano Std.), Rs.120,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs.140,000 (Tata Nano LX) -- themselves or seek financing of the booking amount.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850
The company’s partnership with the preferred financing partners has enabled attractive options of financing the booking amount, which start from a low of Rs.2850. The details are as follows:
Customers can submit their application forms to their chosen financier. The financier will, on their behalf, submit their application forms to the State Bank of India, which is managing the booking process. Those who are themselves paying the entire booking amount can submit their application forms directly to State Bank of India through 1,350 notified branches in 850 cites, and also at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, Westside and Croma outlets. Option to submit bookings online is available at www.tatanano.com.
Retail auto loan interest rates for the Tata Nano
Post the successful allotment of the bookings, customers can convert their booking loan into a retail auto loan for the Tata Nano at very attractive rates with the preferred financiers:
Insurance premium for the Tata Nano
Tata Motors has also entered into agreements with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner, for the Tata Nano at a rate of just 2.76% of the ex-showroom price of the car, the most competitive in the industry. In New Delhi, the insurance premiums will be as follows:
The empanelled insurance companies are National Insurance Co Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance Co Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC Ergo General Insurance.
Deliveries
Within 60 days of the closure of bookings on April 25th , 2009, Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries, through a computerised random selection procedure. These 100,000 allotments will be price protected for the launch prices till delivery of the cars but the booking amounts will not bear any interest for the customers. Deliveries will commence from July 2009.
Applicants have the option to retain their booking deposit, even if they do not get allotment in the first phase. Those who choose this option will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at a rate of 8.5% for retention period between one year to two year and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years. Allotment of retainees will be simultaneously communicated, along with the allotment of the first 100,000 cars.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850; Retail auto loan available at interest rates starting from 9%; Insurance premium starts at Rs.3468 (ex New Delhi)
The booking of the Tata Nano opens tomorrow on April 9th and will continue up to the end of day on April 25, 2009. Tata Motors has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/NBFCs to enable prospective customers to get finance and facilitate booking of the car.
The sale of application forms has already started from April 1, to a very encouraging response. The Tata Nano website has recorded over 50 million (5 crore) hits, including over 20 million (2 crore) hits in the fortnight since the launch on March 23, 2009. The forms are available at a price of Rs.300 (for online booking Rs.200). The forms can be bought at over 30,000 locations in about 1,000 cities through Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, State Bank of India and its branches, its subsidiaries and associates, other preferred financiers, and outlets of Westside, Croma, ‘World of Titan’ and Tata Indicom exclusive stores. The forms come with a range of offers from select associate Tata Group companies up to Rs.1100.
Customers can either pay the entire booking amount -- of Rs.95,000 (Tata Nano Std.), Rs.120,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs.140,000 (Tata Nano LX) -- themselves or seek financing of the booking amount.
Booking amount financing available from Rs.2850
The company’s partnership with the preferred financing partners has enabled attractive options of financing the booking amount, which start from a low of Rs.2850. The details are as follows:
| Preferred banks/NBFCs | |
| Bank Name | Financing of booking amount of Rs.95000 for the Tata Nano Std. version |
| State Bank of India | Rs. 2,999 |
| Canara Bank | Rs. 2,850 |
| Tata Motor Finance | Rs. 3,199 |
| Corporation Bank | Rs. 2,999 |
| Central Bank of India | Rs. 3,256 |
| Indian bank | Rs. 3,343 |
| State Bank of Tranvancore | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Indore | Rs. 3,516 |
| State Bank of Patiala | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Hyderabad | Rs. 2,999 |
| State Bank of Mysore | Rs. 2,999 |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Rs. 2,999 |
| Union Bank of India | Rs. 2,950 |
| United Bank of India | Rs. 3,137 |
| Punjab National Bank | Rs. 3,733 |
| UCO Bank | Rs. 2,975 |
| The Federal Bank Ltd. | Rs. 4,110 |
| Corporation Bank | Rs. 2,999 |
Customers can submit their application forms to their chosen financier. The financier will, on their behalf, submit their application forms to the State Bank of India, which is managing the booking process. Those who are themselves paying the entire booking amount can submit their application forms directly to State Bank of India through 1,350 notified branches in 850 cites, and also at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships, Westside and Croma outlets. Option to submit bookings online is available at www.tatanano.com.
Retail auto loan interest rates for the Tata Nano
Post the successful allotment of the bookings, customers can convert their booking loan into a retail auto loan for the Tata Nano at very attractive rates with the preferred financiers:
| Retail auto loan interest rates | |
| Preferred banks/NBFCs | Interest rate post Allotment |
| State Bank of India | 11.75% |
| Canara Bank | 9.5-11% |
| Tata Motor Finance | 12 – 13% |
| Corporation Bank | 11-11.5% |
| Central Bank of India | 9.5-11% |
| Indian bank | 11% |
| State Bank of Tranvancore | 11.75-12% |
| State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur | 11.75% |
| State Bank of Indore | 11.50% |
| State Bank of Patiala | 11.50 – 12% |
| State Bank of Hyderabad | 11.75% |
| State Bank of Mysore | 11.25-11.75% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | 13.00% |
| Union Bank of India | 11-11.25% |
| United Bank of India | 9% |
| Punjab National Bank | 11% |
| UCO Bank | 11 – 11.50% |
| The Federal Bank Ltd. | 14.25% |
| Corporation Bank | 11-11.5% |
Insurance premium for the Tata Nano
Tata Motors has also entered into agreements with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner, for the Tata Nano at a rate of just 2.76% of the ex-showroom price of the car, the most competitive in the industry. In New Delhi, the insurance premiums will be as follows:
| Nano | Nano CX | Nano LX | |
| Ex-showroom price New Delhi (Rs.) | 123360 | 148360 | 172360 |
| Insurance premium (Rs.) | 3468 | 3959 | 4431 |
The empanelled insurance companies are National Insurance Co Ltd, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance Co Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC Ergo General Insurance.
Deliveries
Within 60 days of the closure of bookings on April 25th , 2009, Tata Motors will process and announce the allotment of 100,000 cars in the first phase of deliveries, through a computerised random selection procedure. These 100,000 allotments will be price protected for the launch prices till delivery of the cars but the booking amounts will not bear any interest for the customers. Deliveries will commence from July 2009.
Applicants have the option to retain their booking deposit, even if they do not get allotment in the first phase. Those who choose this option will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at a rate of 8.5% for retention period between one year to two year and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years. Allotment of retainees will be simultaneously communicated, along with the allotment of the first 100,000 cars.
Tata Nano Bookings to Open Today
Buyers can start booking the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano, on Thursday. The company has entered into agreements with 18 preferred banks/ NBFCs for financing (For the list of banks Click here) and with five partner insurance companies to offer comprehensive insurance, under the ‘Tata Motors Insurance’ banner.
Customers willing to book the Nano can either pay the entire booking amount — which is Rs 95,000 (for the Tata Nano Std), Rs 1,20,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs 1,40,000 (Tata Nano LX) — using their own funds or seek financing. Retail auto loan are available at interest rates that range from 9% to 11.75%. The financing of the booking amount available would start from Rs 2,850 for the base model.
(for Tata Nano Models, Specifications,warranty, fuel efficiency,Safety click here)
Tata Motors on Wednesday said that it has entered into agreements with National Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance, United India Insurance and HDFC Ergo General Insurance. The insurance premium would start at Rs 3,468 (ex New Delhi), the company said.
Tata Motors will announce the allotment of 1 lakh units of the Nano through a random selection process in the first phase by June-end (60 days after the last day of the booking which is April 25). Applicants have an option of retaining their booking deposit if they do not get allotment in the first phase.
Customers retaining their booking deposit will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at 8.5% for a retention period of 1-2 years and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors said there was no problem with the production of the Nano as reported by a section of the media. “As announced by the company earlier, deliveries of the Tata Nano will commence from July,” the company said in a statement.
Please navigate to the relevant section below for further help on how to book your Nano. To find the closest booking center near your house, click here for the Booking Center Locator below. You can also access a price list at any time by clicking here for Price List. We have a list for 30 states, including all major city's.
Book Nano @ your Own city... Form More details Click Here
Click on Each for More INFORMATION
Online Booking
Offline Booking
Filling of Application form
Submission of Application form
Payment
Preferred Financiers
Allotment of Car's
Retention
Refund of Amount
Deliveries of Nano
Booking Cancellation for Nano
Refund on Cancellation
Terms and Conditions
Customers willing to book the Nano can either pay the entire booking amount — which is Rs 95,000 (for the Tata Nano Std), Rs 1,20,000 (Tata Nano CX), and Rs 1,40,000 (Tata Nano LX) — using their own funds or seek financing. Retail auto loan are available at interest rates that range from 9% to 11.75%. The financing of the booking amount available would start from Rs 2,850 for the base model.
(for Tata Nano Models, Specifications,warranty, fuel efficiency,Safety click here)
Tata Motors on Wednesday said that it has entered into agreements with National Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram Alliance General Insurance, United India Insurance and HDFC Ergo General Insurance. The insurance premium would start at Rs 3,468 (ex New Delhi), the company said.
Tata Motors will announce the allotment of 1 lakh units of the Nano through a random selection process in the first phase by June-end (60 days after the last day of the booking which is April 25). Applicants have an option of retaining their booking deposit if they do not get allotment in the first phase.
Customers retaining their booking deposit will be eligible for interest on their deposit, effective from the date of announcement of allotment of the second phase, at 8.5% for a retention period of 1-2 years and 8.75% for a retention period of more than 2 years.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors said there was no problem with the production of the Nano as reported by a section of the media. “As announced by the company earlier, deliveries of the Tata Nano will commence from July,” the company said in a statement.
Please navigate to the relevant section below for further help on how to book your Nano. To find the closest booking center near your house, click here for the Booking Center Locator below. You can also access a price list at any time by clicking here for Price List. We have a list for 30 states, including all major city's.
Book Nano @ your Own city... Form More details Click Here
Click on Each for More INFORMATION
Online Booking
Offline Booking
Filling of Application form
Submission of Application form
Payment
Preferred Financiers
Allotment of Car's
Retention
Refund of Amount
Deliveries of Nano
Booking Cancellation for Nano
Refund on Cancellation
Terms and Conditions
Bookings of Tata Nano will start on the 9th of April 2009
The Timelines for bookings are presented above.- The Booking form distribution & Bookings will start on the 9th of April 2009 and will continue till 25th April 2009, both days inclusive.
- Please navigate to the relevant section below for further help on how to book your Nano. To find the closest booking center near your house, click here for the Booking Center Locator below. You can also access a price list at any time by clicking here for Price List. We have a list for 30 states, including all major city's.(Links will be live Soon)
Click on Each for More INFORMATION
Online Booking
Offline Booking
Filling of Application form
Submission of Application form
Payment
Preferred Financiers
Allotment of Car's
Retention
Refund of Amount
Deliveries of Nano
Booking Cancellation for Nano
Refund on Cancellation
Terms and Conditions
Tata Nano ranks last in customer satisfaction among small cars
Tata Motor''s Nano has been ranked last among entry level small cars in terms of customer satisfaction, according to market research firm TNS.
In the ''2010 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS)'' study by TNS Automotive, Maruti Suzuki India''s (MSI) best selling model Alto topped the entry level small car category. Omni and the once bread-and-butter model M800 followed the list.
"The customer expectations even at the bottom end are rising. The owners of Tata Nano expect more in terms of design and Maruti 800 owners expect better servicing as the years go by," the survey said.
While Alto scored 91 points, Nano got only 70 points thus being placed last, it added.
Nano has been having issues following fire incidents with six reported cases since its launch in 2009. Tata Motors had offered to provide additional safety measures free of cost as a precautionary measure, although it claimed that the Nano is absolutely safe.
In the higher priced cars segment, the survey reflected the Indian consumers respect for value even if the price is higher.
The study pointed out that car owners in Northern India are relatively less satisfied compared to those in other parts of the country, primarily because of after sales services as the age of the car grows.
"At the national level, the customers in the relatively larger cities are more satisfied than those in the smaller cities.
"This may be a reflection of the growing expectations in the smaller cities. The manufacturers will do well to understand those," TNS said.
Apart from the entry level compact car segment, MSI''s Zen Estilo and A-Star jointly topped the premium compact car category in customer satisfaction.
While Volkswagen''s (VW) Polo and MSI''s Swift together became the number one in the upper premium strata, MSI''s Swift DZiRE was ranked as the numero uno in the entry-level mid-sized sedan segment.
Other models that topped in different segments are Toyota Corolla Altis in premium mid-sized sedan, VW Passat in entry-level luxury sedan, Toyota Innova and Mahindra Scorpio jointly in sports utility vehicle and multi utility vehicle and Honda CR-V in premium SUV categories.
"In a year of high growth and long queues at the automotive dealerships, auto manufacturers maintained their poise and managed their processes to keep their customers satisfied," TNS Automotive Executive Director Pradeep Saxena said.
Tata Motors Denies Nano Recall
Tata Nano never ceased to hit headlines ever since Ratan Tata conceived the idea of making a one lakh car. Wednesday’s media reports that Tata is recalling the Nanos in the wake of some of them turning into fireballs raised many eyebrows.
However, Tata has denied any such recalls saying “the Tata Nano is a safe car with a robust design, state-of-the-art components and is built with uncompromising attention to quality in all aspects. This has been re-established through a second analysis, conducted during the months of September and October 2010. “
The company has reassured the customers that there are no generic defects in the Tata Nano.
Anyways, Tata is not taking the incidents of Nanos catching fire lightly. They have decided to make the car even more reliable by providing additional protection in the exhaust system and the electrical system.
As of October 2010, Tata has delivered over 70,000 Tata Nano cars and about 85% customers are said to be satisfied with the car.
However, Tata has denied any such recalls saying “the Tata Nano is a safe car with a robust design, state-of-the-art components and is built with uncompromising attention to quality in all aspects. This has been re-established through a second analysis, conducted during the months of September and October 2010. “
The company has reassured the customers that there are no generic defects in the Tata Nano.
Anyways, Tata is not taking the incidents of Nanos catching fire lightly. They have decided to make the car even more reliable by providing additional protection in the exhaust system and the electrical system.
As of October 2010, Tata has delivered over 70,000 Tata Nano cars and about 85% customers are said to be satisfied with the car.
No Advance Booking for Nano - Buy Nano of-the-shelf soon
Tata Nano will be available off-the-shelf by August-September, negating the need to book it in advance, a senior company officer said here on Wednesday.
"From this August or September, customers will be able to walk into our showroom and drive out in a Nano," Manoj Arora, Senior Manager, Tata Motors, told reporters.
Arora said that setting up a manufacturing facility at Sanand (Gujarat) will help the company deliver cars faster.
Tata Motors has been producing limited units of the Nano at its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand.
The company had taken bookings for only 1.55 lakh units through a lottery after the Nano was launched on March 23, 2009. Out of the total, only one lakh units were price-protected and the company was scheduled to deliver them by this year-end.
At present, there are 35,000 Nanos plying on Indian roads. "The Sananad facility can manufacture 2.5 lakh units per annum," he said.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Tata Nano's 'Superdrive' event, which will have cars traveling through the length and breadth of the country, Arora said that the company has nearly fulfilled the commitment made during the first lot of bookings.
Arora said that the car is doing well in the market because customers are satisfied by it.
Speaking on the Superdrive event, he said that the Nanos were flagged off from the Tata Motor Plant at Sanand on June 2.
"Nine Tata Nanos will cover three different routes during a 26-day-long voyage, and will visit 36 cities -- covering a distance of over 15,000 kilometres," he said.
source Yahoo news
"From this August or September, customers will be able to walk into our showroom and drive out in a Nano," Manoj Arora, Senior Manager, Tata Motors, told reporters.
Arora said that setting up a manufacturing facility at Sanand (Gujarat) will help the company deliver cars faster.
Tata Motors has been producing limited units of the Nano at its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand.
The company had taken bookings for only 1.55 lakh units through a lottery after the Nano was launched on March 23, 2009. Out of the total, only one lakh units were price-protected and the company was scheduled to deliver them by this year-end.
At present, there are 35,000 Nanos plying on Indian roads. "The Sananad facility can manufacture 2.5 lakh units per annum," he said.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Tata Nano's 'Superdrive' event, which will have cars traveling through the length and breadth of the country, Arora said that the company has nearly fulfilled the commitment made during the first lot of bookings.
Arora said that the car is doing well in the market because customers are satisfied by it.
Speaking on the Superdrive event, he said that the Nanos were flagged off from the Tata Motor Plant at Sanand on June 2.
"Nine Tata Nanos will cover three different routes during a 26-day-long voyage, and will visit 36 cities -- covering a distance of over 15,000 kilometres," he said.
source Yahoo news
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