  E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1503 Registered: 11-2004 |
It sounds like this $2,500 car could give heartburn to both Detroit's automakers and environmentalists. India's Tata Motors unveils ultracheap $2,500 car Car ownership brought into millions' reach http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080110/NEW S07/80110012/1002/ Pictures of it here: http://www.autoblog.com/photos /tata-nano/572708 | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1515 Registered: 12-2004 |
It sounds like an act of Al Queda. | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 492 Registered: 12-2006 |
Not if it's a piece of crap. Critics expect it to suffer from bad quality and safety standards. | ||
Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman Post Number: 181 Registered: 06-2005 |
Would a car like that even meet Federal Highway or EU safety regulations? Something tells me that's not going to be in any developed nation any time soon. Not at $2500, anyway. | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 4432 Registered: 02-2007 |
it's made of papier mache | ||
Pffft Member Username: Pffft Post Number: 1440 Registered: 12-2003 |
Remember the Yugo? There've always been cheap, dangerous tin cans people will bafflingly buy for a couple thousand. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 4531 Registered: 10-2003 |
Looks like a death trap to me. I wouldn't take it over Mighty Mac. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 879 Registered: 02-2007 |
I didn't read the article, but how do they plan on getting that toy past federal safety standards? | ||
Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 449 Registered: 06-2007 |
good comparison...it's the new Yugo. | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1516 Registered: 12-2004 |
Do I have to wind it up or pull a rip chord? | ||
El_jimbo Member Username: El_jimbo Post Number: 493 Registered: 12-2006 |
With a billion potential customers in India, do they need to sell it in the US or Europe? | ||
Detroitinmyheart Member Username: Detroitinmyheart Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2007 |
It looks exactly like Mercedes Smart car which is going to retail for 12,500. Justy because its from India and retails for 1/5th the cost doesn't mean it will be no good. Remember , everything is outsourced to India anyway. Maybe they have good quality at cheap prices . At least thats what all the outsourcing points too. | ||
Umcs Member Username: Umcs Post Number: 436 Registered: 06-2007 |
It's not made for Americans. It's made for the billions of non-American/European middle classes (which make less than what we consider "poverty levels), which is a market NOT tapped by the Big 3. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2482 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: Exactly! It's not designed for any of you. It is a threat to currently open market share in places like India and China with rapidly developing economies... This really doesn't mean much to Detroit. Even if GM or Ford does design a similar prototype, it won't be manufactured anywhere near this part of the globe. | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1517 Registered: 12-2004 |
Its like the SNL skit where they introduce "Bags o' Glass" as a new toy for children. Shouldn't business meet the needs of children too poor to afford safe toys? | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1504 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think it can significantly impact the bottom lines of Detroit's automakers if successful. The Big Three are pumping billions of dollars to establish themselves as key players in those developing markets. If this car upsets that, watch out. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2483 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: Actually, that's not true... But most Detroiters/Americans are oblivious to it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S hanghai_GM | ||
Izzadore Member Username: Izzadore Post Number: 101 Registered: 11-2006 |
People will buy it if it passes American safety standards. Let's be real here. The car costs less than a: MacBook! Bedroom Set Heck, the mattresses for the bedroom set The yearly insurance premium in a decent Detroit zip-code. I'd buy one to drive to the train station and save my 'real' car from the door dings. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 4532 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote:  | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 4436 Registered: 02-2007 |
"Do I have to wind it up or pull a rip chord?" it has one of those t-strips like the old Kenner SSPs | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 3200 Registered: 10-2003 |
Looks to me like the 1st generation Honda CIVICs that appeared in the US in the 70's. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4803 Registered: 10-2004 |
Don't laugh because the Tata Group is the sixth largest firm that produces autos and trucks that's traded on stock exchanges. Ford and GM are fourth and fifth largest. The Tata Motors subsidiary will probably buy Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford, and possibly other brands. One of its several other subsidiaries even bought the Eight O'Clock Coffee brand (formerly A&P). It's so easy for some to put down such companies while the US firms are getting smaller and smaller and firms like Tata only get bigger. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6492 Registered: 10-2003 |
Exactly LY. The only thing dangerous about this car is the risk of getting hit by a fucktard in a Hummer who's yapping on the phone, oblivious to the world around him. If they came to North America, I would grab one for running around town in a heart beat. Imagine a low cost car, with a fuel efficient diesel engine! But then again, you really need that giant SUV for all the harsh driving conditions you meet from the sub-division to the strip mall. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4804 Registered: 10-2004 |
I had a Honda Civic CRX HF hatchback that got 53 combined / 56 highway MPG. It was a nice vehicle and lasted 200,000 miles before I decided to part with it. I prefer a stick, and its 5-speed manual transmission fit me perfectly. I might yet buy another if one sells nearby. | ||
Umcs Member Username: Umcs Post Number: 438 Registered: 06-2007 |
"Actually, that's not true... But most Detroiters/Americans are oblivious to it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S hanghai_GM" Most people involved with the auto industry know not only about Shanghai GM but also the other ventures out there. The point I'm trying to make is that Tata's Nano is tapping into the market looking for a $2,500 car as opposed to the $8K+ market that the Big 3 and others look at. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2491 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: I doubt that the Big 3 are turning a blind eye to this.... As a publicly traded company, GM and Ford are looking for the markets that will turn them to biggest profit. If manufacturing a car in India costs them $500 and there is a market to sell it for $2,500 then they are damn well gonna fight for a piece of that market share. Considering how large the populations of some of these developing nations are and how rapidly they are industrializing, they'd be down right stupid not to. What is a $2,000 net profit multiplied by 1 billion people? | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 598 Registered: 05-2006 |
How is this car less safe than a motorcycle? | ||
Talleman1 Member Username: Talleman1 Post Number: 22 Registered: 06-2005 |
I will say one thing being small is not so bad, India has alooooooooot of people and no room but yeah it could use some better tires, what are they trailer. My dad owned a Ford Festiva and it got 50mpg and ran well, no leaks, easy to repair but yeah a bit scary to drive only because AMERICAN CARS ARE BIG in comparison. Ford still builds the Aspire overseas. | ||
Nainrouge Member Username: Nainrouge Post Number: 600 Registered: 05-2006 |
On India's crowded roads, you aren't going to be driving so fast either... | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 3185 Registered: 11-2003 |
From what I've read about this thing, I'll probably break it just opening the door. Wheel bearings that aren't rated above 45 MPH. A steering columns that are made from stamped metal. And these are the things engineering-wise that we do know about it. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 11276 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'd love to see more of this type of vehicle in North America. I'm way more interested in efficiency, nimbleness, INexpense, and just getting there without getting wet rather than prestige and huge mass and great waste. | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1379 Registered: 06-2005 |
Not trying to be too morbid, but if, God forbid, an accident should occur, the car could double as a casket. | ||
Zephyrmec Member Username: Zephyrmec Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2008 |
Likely ideal for it's intended purpose, to put wheels under the butts of people in India and China who could not otherwise afford anything better than a scooter or small motorcycle. I'd speculate that it could be the "Model T" of the emerging world. We could use a bare-bones vehicle here, but by the time the government regulators finished with it, it would cost $15K and be pretty useless and no fun at all to drive. I doubt that a bare bones car could be brought to market here for under $10K, and the margin on that would be so slim, a small independent company would have to build it. BTW, at least the company has a great name "We can really cut you a deal on new tatas" it would have to sell! (Message edited by zephyrmec on January 10, 2008) | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 11284 Registered: 12-2003 |
Zephyrmec, Thanks for that laugh, and welcome! I'll take two. Cheers | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 1380 Registered: 06-2005 |
Nice one Zehyrmec!••• Welcome to the board...what an entrance!! | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2492 Registered: 04-2006 |
This thread reminds me of how Detroit embraced the Honda Accord... | ||
Zephyrmec Member Username: Zephyrmec Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2008 |
Thanks for the welcome. I'll post an intro on the connect board. | ||
Craggy Member Username: Craggy Post Number: 292 Registered: 10-2003 |
This car will NOT be for sale in the United States. It can not meet any federal emissions or safety standards. It is made for emerging markets. Tata has no intention of marketing it in this country. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 11298 Registered: 12-2003 |
Craggy, Thanks for the clarity, I understood it but didn't reflect it in my words. I adore that Daimler finally decided to market their inexpensive (relative to everything else in their lineup) city car here...and most certainly WOULD like to see more of this type of car here. That was the more accurate statement...this car reminded me of that and would certainly be in the same classification. I feel quite strongly that this vehicle SHOULD be allowed here, I'd rather a NEW plastic car in front of me than some old, rusting clunker dropping parts. I'd be willing to forgo crashworthiness for nimbleness and efficiency...sure would like to see the NHTSA giving out some small-scale allowances to test how these things will...impact...the flow of traffic. Let a few of us be sacrificial guinea pigs, we'll be squealing with joy at the gas pumps. As for the general population? It is pretty clear that they have NOT been actually any safer in the behemoths they talk on the phone, eat, shave, makeup, and watch television within...oh yeah, while they RIDE to their destination. Crash tests, schmash tests. The only thing that counts is whether there is a driver or some loose nut on the steering controls. Being merely a rider in modern automatic-everything vehicles is FAR from driving, imho, so we've given everyone TOO much slack to become loose nuts...the next step towards becoming full-on danger to the rest of us using the roads. Most people would be much more alert while driving little scary cars, they would have to shed their complacency in order to survive! Bring 'em on, save a dead horse...I've beaten this one enough! | ||
Queensfinest Member Username: Queensfinest Post Number: 148 Registered: 08-2006 |
does anyone here know of any detroit related websites that aren't comprised of retarded 50 and 60 somethings still pining over the antiquated auto industry culture of their youth? if so, please send a link. it's for research. thanks! | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 3608 Registered: 11-2003 |
Queen,I see that you are here for positive reasons | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1917 Registered: 05-2005 |
quote: i would also like to be directed to such a place. the opinions on this stuff are just too predictable around here | ||
Umcs Member Username: Umcs Post Number: 440 Registered: 06-2007 |
Anyone remember the old BMW 1.5-person car from the 60's/70's that was entered through a front door as opposed to side doors? The Nano reminds me of that thing. Oh wait, I must be pining over an antiquated auto industry culture of my youth to remember that this idea has already been tried by others 30 YEARS AGO. Of course, QueensFinest, being a paragon of modernity who disparages our heritage and knowledge would know of the exact car about which I am referring and how wildly successful it was. Can you enlighten us backwards folks here in the hinterlands QueensFinest? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1918 Registered: 05-2005 |
quote: doesn't actually sound like you are pining over the isetta (the BMW) a whole lot there, sounds more like loathing. | ||
Umcs Member Username: Umcs Post Number: 441 Registered: 06-2007 |
You get a cookie Gravitymachine. I don't loathe the Isetta. It's interesting but not practical today with highways, etc. The point I'm trying to make is that the Nano is not some radical change in automobile concepts. It is a reimagining of an old concept to a new market. There is some technological achievement in its design and manufacture but this is not a "revolution" in vehicle design and manufacturing. My biggest source of annoyance and loathing are those people who Oooh and Aaah over the Nano, publicly state they want one, pooh pooh local engineers and manufacturers, and otherwise, attempt to disparage an industry without even doing some basic research. If you want a Nano, you can still buy a darn Isetta kit for crying out loud and it gets 63 MPG. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2497 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: I lol'd. I'd be interested in a discussion on here about why Detroit must cut it's blind allegiance to the domestic auto industry. I don't quite think the other shoe has dropped on that yet... So it's probably still a fairly unpopular sentiment. But believe me, it's coming and soon! My guess is that will happen when either 1) Ford goes broke or 2) Cerberus finally gets around to selling off the scraps of Chrysler. Btw, I don't think I saw any mention on here about Honda's donation to the DSO: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080109/ENT 04/801090323/1035/ENT | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2507 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20080112/POLIT ICS01/801120339/1408/LOCAL Romney says what you want to hear while McCain says what you need to hear. | ||
Frumoasa Member Username: Frumoasa Post Number: 102 Registered: 03-2007 |
While I can't see the Nano breaking in to the US market with any big impact, this car will really affect other parts of the world. I can even see them making a splash in Eastern Europe if they can pass inspections. The most popular car in Romania is a 7000 dollar car that doesn't look much more luxurious than the Nano, albeit it has a trunk and a 1.1 litre engine. If people could buy this car for 2500, it would blow that car out of the water. People in less affluent countries are more willing to fix their car on a regular basis and since I can only assume this car has the mechanics of a golf cart, people might be willing to buy parts and fix the car at a much more regular rate than we would. It's a very interesting business move, and I think it will have serious repercussions for the big 3's marketshare in the rest of the world. I think their best strategy would be to build a $4000 car that doesn't suck as much that way when people buy a Nano and decide it's crap, they can move up to a not as crappy car made by one of our automakers. | ||
Tk65 Member Username: Tk65 Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2007 |
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Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6125 Registered: 08-2004 |
I see Queensfinest is continuing his sanity meltdown... must be all those NYC exhaust fumes are going to his brain... | ||
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider Post Number: 107 Registered: 02-2007 |
A family of four riding the streets of India in a Nano in relative comfort and safety, or all of them on squashed in on a motor scooter hanging on to the fenders and handlebars and shoulders of each other, falling off the thing and getting run over by traffic ... which paints a better picture in your mind ? | ||
Sludgedaddy Member Username: Sludgedaddy Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2008 |
I hope Matt Groening of "The Simpsons" fame gets wind of the Nano Tata. I can see Apu Driving to the QuickeeMart in his "little Mechanical elephant". |
