Even though Ratan Tata envisioned Tata’s Nano to be a “common man’s” car, naming it the Rs. 1 lakh ($2098) car and making it more affordable for Indians, even he is dumbfounded by the fact that there are not that many takers for the basic model which does not have such features like power windows, an air conditioner, and the like.

The no frills model, which costs only about $2600 (after taxes and other expenses) makes up only 20 percent of all orders taken by the company. In fact, 50 percent of the orders are for the higher end version (cost 40 percent more) which does feature air conditioning. Given the heat in India, this should not be such a surprise with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 50°C in summer in many parts of India.

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Tata has plans to take Land Rover and Jaguar into the Indian market, hoping to tap a whole new customer base. When Tata purchased Jaguar-Land Rover, they promised that none of the vehicles from either brand would be built in India but, how that works into the new plans to tackle the Indian market with its range of luxury cars and SUVs is anybody’s guess. Importing the cars will certainly make them even more expensive on the Indian market.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, David Smith, commented on the importance of the Indian market to the company’s competitive position in the global market. “We are delighted to be formally entering the Indian market, an economy which is still growing appreciably, and able to offer our premium products to a whole new group of customers,” said Smith. “It is an important strategic move for Jaguar Land Rover and will enable us to realise our competitive potential in this significant market.”

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It seems that Indian auto maker, Tata, is considering to bring the extermely cheap, extremely small Nano to the U.S. market by 2012.

According to Tato chairman Ratan Tata, the thing that will make the Nano flourish in the United States is its price. Since the economy is in such a bad state the car , which is said to cost under $5,000, will be very appealing to Americans looking to buy a brand new car but not looking to spend a fortune at the dealer.

What do you guys think? Would you buy the Nano if it were released in the States?

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With the current economic recession the car industry is finding times are pretty tough and Jaguar’s position within the industry is similarly poor, however they have plans to introduce a new roadster which many think will be called the XE. Tata corroborated that development of the roadster was underway is currently in the early stages of design sign-off.

“We need to emerge with something shiny and new, which is why we are re-prioritizing the roadster right now,” Tata said. “I’m highly excited about what I see.” Tata’s verification of the car as a roadster conflicts somewhat with the expected derivation of the XE from the R-Coupe concept from 2001. The F-Type concept from 2000 was a roadster, though the new car isn’t expected to share any styling with that concept.

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As lame as the above car looks, $2,000 is pretty much chump change in regards to a new car. And that sweet $2,000 hot spot is exactly what the Tato Nano was announced to have cost, if it ever hits the market that is.

Tata, India’s largest automaker, isn’t doin’ so hot ever since the economy is in a slum (what else is new?) and unfortunately had the put the Nano’s release date on hold. 

Originally slated to hit the market at the end of 2008, Tata recently told the press that there is no set date as to when it will be shipping. Bummer.

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Tata Nano

The Tata Nano is India’s answer to Germany’s Volkswagen or “people’s car.” The Nano will retail for only about $2,000 and will be sold only in India at first, with later worldwide distribution an inevitable outcome. Tata expects to sell one million of the little cars each year in India alone, with production set to start sometime in the coming year. The Nano is constructed of components that can be built and shipped separately to be assembled in a variety of locations. In effect, the Nano is being sold in kits that are distributed, assembled, and serviced by local entrepreneurs.

Built to carry four passengers (though perhaps not comfortably), the tiny Nano has a two cylinder engine, a four speed manual transmission, and a top speed of 68 MPH. The car is geared more toward India’s narrow streets and congested conditions and less to the demands of highway driving, but the fuel efficiency is respectable at 47 MPG in the city and 58 MPG on the highway. Even so, environmentalists, imaging a third world clogged with combustion engine vehicles, are not as excited about the Nano as Indians are.

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Tata Motors Ltd unexpectedly lost money in its third fiscal quarter which ended in December of 2008. Sales of Tata vehicles fell 32 percent from a year earlier. Tata is India’s top truck and bus maker. In June of 2008 Tata bought the Jaguar and Land Rover brands from Ford Motor Co RaviKant, Managing Director at Tata said jobs were being cut because of falling demand for both Tata and Land Rover products.

Tata has still not announced at release date for the long awaited Nano, which is to be the world’s cheapest car and is expected to have an MSRP of only $2,000. The Nano will not be cleared for release in the United States, but has been awaited eagerly in India for a long time. Initially set for launch in 2008, the Nano was delayed by labor problems at a West Bengal factory. Tata representatives estimate it will take at least another year to gear up production and begin selling the economical cars.

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