Tata Nano: The World's Cheapest Car Makes its Debut - Business

<p>On January 10th, 2008, at the New Delhi Auto Show, Tata Motors of India unleashed a bombshell. They unveiled their revolutionary new Nano car that will sell for no more than $2,500. While this is good news for the people of India, many of whom may now be able to afford a car for the first time, it has many environmentalists worried, as it is likely to replace many of the biofriendly bicycles now in use. (1)</p>

<p>Asia is the world's most populous continent with almost four billion inhabitants. If only one person in a thousand ends up buying such a car, this will still add up to millions of new vehicles on the road, with attendant increases in pollution, greenhouse gases and demand for fuel.</p>

<p>Like the original Volkswagen bug, the Nano is designed as a "people's car." In the unique design of this vehicle, the question that was being asked continually was, "Do we really need this?" Many people will find it hard to believe that a car can be produced for so little money, a car that some reviewers have said turns out to be quite attractive and an object of desire for Indian ladies. (2)</p>

<p>The Nano seats four people and has four doors. It has a small 2-cylinder, 33 horsepower, 623 cc rear-mounted engine, made by the German Bosch Company. Maximum speed is 65 mph. It is rated at better than 50 mpg in the city and 60 mpg on the highway. The interior is roomy for a small car, but sparse. It has no radio, air conditioning or power steering and just a single windshield wiper. (3)</p>

<p>In India, the Nano is expected to replace many scooters, bicycles and older polluting vehicles. The Nano was designed in Italy, with input from Tata. This vehicle follows the success of the popular and inexpensive Ace truck that Tata brought out in 2005. The company plans to export the Nano globally, with an initial production target of 250,000 annually.</p>

<p>While the Nano's emissions are quite biofriendly and lower than that of the Volkswagen and exceed European emission standards, there is concern among environmentalists that the availability of very cheap cars will increase pollution and greenhouse gases worldwide, as well as further accelerate the depletion of existing oil reserves. Others argue, however, that the developed nations should set the example in becoming more energy efficient, rather than begrudging emerging countries the conveniences they themselves enjoy.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that there is a need to develop alternative energy sources and to make better use of remaining fossil fuels. Biofriendly Corporation contributes to using fossil fuels more effectively with its Green Plus liquid fuel catalyst, creating a cleaner, more linear burn in internal combustion engines, with resulting improved fuel economy, reduction in harmful emissions and increased torque.</p>

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<p>References:</p>

<p>(1)/2008/01/tata-nano-the-w.html (2)/2008/01/08/business/worldbusiness/08indiacar.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin (3)/wiki/Tata_Nano</p>

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