Tata Plans To Sell Nano in the U.S. Within Two Years

I rather buy a used rx-7, or a used mustang, or a used...anything...

I wonder what a big mac is called in India?

If it proves reliable, I could see it as a good second car for people on a budget.

I like basic easy to work on cars.

Great. Just what the US needs. More garbage cars. I support this ONLY if all those miserable excuses for cars that spout smoke constantly are forcibly removed and replaced with Nanos.

I can see the car offering appeal to urban drivers loooking for something cheap with a warranty for commuting.

But I can also see a possible repeat of the Hyundai debacle from the 80's.

Personally I can't see myself being willing to buy one. I would rather have a used Honda with 100k miles for my $3K than a new Tata.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I would never drive that on a road that also has anything bigger than a half-ton pickup truck on it.

That said, also growing up in Pennsylvania, I've driven on roads on which that toy would fall into the potholes and need towed out.

There's no room in the U.S. market for sub-$10k new cars anymore. The used car market is too big. Who would spend.. well.. 5,000 is more realistic than 3,000 to meet US regulations, when they can get a 7-or-8-year old mid-size sedan from a well-reputed maker for the same price? The Nano may be a good fit in India and other countries just starting to build an auto industry, but not here. A new A-segment/city car will only sell if people want it (e.g. Smart), not if that's all they can afford.

caheew - so there might be a lot of crazy people in India right now, but none is as stupid as you are for making such comment.

powell_jr - a Big Mac is called a Big Mac in India and just about anywhere in the world where there is a McDonald, but in its own native language. However, they'd all call you a dumbass for making such comment.

fuhteng - how would you know it's a garbage car without driving one? What you own now might be a piece of crap but that doesn't mean a Nano is necessary a garbage car.

breif - get out more... you might learn something new.

xprojected - so now you're the sole representive for all U.S. new cars market?

The Nano has designed for a specific purpose. For that purpose, it seems like quite an accomplishment. Kudos to Tata.

It's not right (or legal) for the US market without major changes. Changes that the car is not designed for.

There will always be a market for low quality inexpensive goods in the US. Just look at the success of Walmart. This will be a car for people who know nothing about cars, who don't want to mess around with used cars, and who couldn't care less where it was made. This is a car for people who want to step up from public transport without paying a lot of money for the privelege.

boomchek

What's wrong with where it's made and how do you know it's low quality?

Low cost and low quality are not always the same thing.

I highly doubt it will pass the crash test! and it really doesnt have anything usefull in it. If and its a BIG IF it makes it here and is sold, the only people buying them will be people who want to die, or rich folk that want a air conditioned golf cart! Heck i bet we see those rich kids put down those scotters with the little motor on them for this! They're gonna need to make a little city where you have to drive only these so if there is an accident no one dies. This is one car i DONT want them to import!

If it meets the North American standards, good for it. I'm sure people will buy it. Not everyone needs features/0 to 60 times, etc. Its probably a good city car option.

To me, Tata is making a really bad move. Unless they have the option to add airbags on the Nano for the U.S. market.

firstwagon: you get what you pay for. You can't seriously tell me that a vehicle for $3000 is of same quality as one for $15000.

As for where it's made, it doesn't make a difference to me, but it might to some.

while some buyers would use this as a daily driver, i can see some people buying the nano and having it as a novelty car. have it because its so cheap, and show it off to your friends. you could take it down the street to get a coke or some ice cream, or a quick trip to a coffee shop down the street.

also, this would make since in a close community (lake, retirement villages, etc.) where recreational vehicles are common transportation (golf carts, gators, ATVs). instead of going to the marina in the gator, i can see people using the nano. its simple, easily driven, and can be tolerated for a 5 minuet drive as easily as an SUV or an upscale sedan.

i would buy two for those uses. one for each.

I don't live in a city, but I imagine purchasing one of these would be cheaper than paying for public transportation. Plus you get the luxury of going when you want without adhering to a train schedule.

I'd consider it.

Even if free, I don't think I would get a tata nano.

A 5 year loan at 8% comes to a $60 monthly payment. And that's if you don't make a down payment.

A single cab ride can cost more than that.

boomchek

All things being equal, you're right. A $3000 car will not be the same quality as a $15,000 car.

However they are not equal. This car is designed to cost as little as possible. It's also built in a very inexpensive part of the world. It's also very simple... you don't pay for parts you don't have.

In the end, only time will tell but I see no reason why you can't make a decent basic machine for $3000.

And as for the people who think..."the only people buying them will be people who want to die,"...

How do you go through life with that amount of fear? There's no way you could ride a bicycle in traffic (nevermind a motorcycle). Even walking on the sidewalk muct be nerve racking in case a car jumped the curb and hit you. It's sad really.

Honda is introducing a 125cc scooter for over $4K to the US market. It's design mission is to be a commuter, just like the Tata. Compared to that, the $3K Tata would be a screaming deal.

Yeah, it's going to be noisy, slow, cheaply made etc etc. So what? It's cheaper than a freakin 125cc scooter!!

alman08,

I don't know how old you are but obviously not old enough to be on this forum. Watch your language.

ctpax

Lighten up.

He just summarized what the rest of us were thinking.

(BTW: dumbass isn't really that bad a word these days)

God I hope they sell it in the US.

I bought the stock at 3.30 in March-Look at it now- it already tripled

Yes.

firstwagon,

as much as I am annoyed with you and you are annoyed with me, we don't resort to rude comments such as the ones left by that child. If you consider this kind of tone OK - that's fine but I refuse to go down to your level. This forum is for adults and anything less than respect for other members bothers the hell out of me. I have my own share of negativity every day from 9 to 5. When I'm on this forum I want to read about cars and other people's opinions on cars.

Am I understood?

We really don't need more poor people on the road, they already piss me off in their old piles of ish, blocking traffic and emitting smog.

No.

ctpax - just to answer your dumb question, I'm old enough. And does one really care about your share of negativity everyday from 9-5? And the word is "everyday", not "every day"? What's going on? Didn't pass the GED?
I read a lot of what you said before and you bothered the hell out of a lot of people including myself, but I really didn't want to say anything because your comments in the past were as stupid as the one that you just posted about me.
Am I understood?

WOW. Oh please please please bring out a GTI version with chrome Slurpy cup holders and 17 inch wheels.

"just to answer your dumb question, I'm old enough."

you're not fooling anyone.

Hah, I like this alman08 guy. He is uniquely blunt.

If the Tata Nano can pass all US regulations then I honestly see no reason why NOT to buy it. As long as it's as safe and reliable as the first generation civic or corolla, then there's no doubt in my mind that I'd buy one as a commuter.

Can you say Yugo, Renault Dauphene, Fiat 600, Honda 600, Subaru 360, or any other crappy lowest priced car foisted on the American public over the last 50+ years?

Ok first not everyone needs a car that cost more than they make in a year some people just wants a car that gets them from a to b as cheaaply as possible in some cities there is no public transportation...its a great idea and i would probably buy a couple even if they arent the greatest car ever made it would for me...the only thing i would hope for is maybe a nicer version with more amenities...i say tata is doing something great that most people would be grateful for it.