India’s Tata unveils ultra-cheap US$2 500 car

NEW DELHI – India’s Tata Motors yesterday unveiled its much anticipated US$2500 (N$17 500) car, an ultra-cheap price tag that suddenly brings car ownership into the reach of tens of millions of people across the world.

While the price has created a buzz, critics say the vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will lead to possibly millions more cars hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems. Others have said Tata would have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.Company chairman Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting car in India and meet necessary safety standards.Chief UN climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that he was having nightmares about the prospect of the low-cost car.Introducing the car at an auto show in New Delhi, Tata said the Nano had passed domestic and European emission standards and would average about 20 kilometres per litre.”Dr Pachauri need not have nightmares,” said Tata.Dealers will sell the car for 100 000 rupees or US$2 500 but customers will pay slightly more than that due to taxes and other charges.To introduce the Nano, Tata drove onto stage in a white model of the car with the lights flashing, his head nearly touching the car’s roof.The diminutive Nano is a compact four-door with a snub nose and a sloping roof.The car can seat four people, or five if they squeeze.The Nano is spare, with many features shaved off: there’s no radio, no air conditioning, no passenger-side mirror, and only one windshield wiper.The company has said they expect the car to revolutionise the car industry, and analysts believe the Nano may force other manufacturers to lower their own pricing.”For us it’s a milestone and I hope we can make a contribution to the country,” Tata said.Nampa-APOthers have said Tata would have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.Company chairman Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting car in India and meet necessary safety standards.Chief UN climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, who shared last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that he was having nightmares about the prospect of the low-cost car.Introducing the car at an auto show in New Delhi, Tata said the Nano had passed domestic and European emission standards and would average about 20 kilometres per litre.”Dr Pachauri need not have nightmares,” said Tata.Dealers will sell the car for 100 000 rupees or US$2 500 but customers will pay slightly more than that due to taxes and other charges.To introduce the Nano, Tata drove onto stage in a white model of the car with the lights flashing, his head nearly touching the car’s roof.The diminutive Nano is a compact four-door with a snub nose and a sloping roof.The car can seat four people, or five if they squeeze.The Nano is spare, with many features shaved off: there’s no radio, no air conditioning, no passenger-side mirror, and only one windshield wiper.The company has said they expect the car to revolutionise the car industry, and analysts believe the Nano may force other manufacturers to lower their own pricing.”For us it’s a milestone and I hope we can make a contribution to the country,” Tata said.Nampa-AP