Tata Nano

Immediately after the launch of its successful Tata Ace truck, Tata began work on its “people’s car”, which it envisaged would catch the attention of Indian motorcycle riders and get them to take the big leap to a four-wheeler.

If the company could produce a four-wheeler at a price similar to that of a two-wheeler, then it was expected that the product would be a resounding success.

It intended to create a “no-frills” product by reducing the amount of steel used in the car, cutting out the non-essential features, and by employing low-cost Indian labour.

The result was a car devoid of a passenger-side wing mirror; it had only one wiper blade, three lug nuts per wheel and no fuel filler cap on the tank. It was launched in 2009.

The initial response to the offering was positive. It sold 70,000 units in the first two years after launch.

Maruti 800 sales dipped by 20% during this period.

Even CRISIL projected that Nano would expand the car market by 65%.

Tata itself retained an option of upping the production to 250,000 should the need arise.

But the response later was underwhelming and 2019 saw no sales at all of Ratan Tata’s “people’s car”.

The Nano was last sold for Rs 2.05 lakhs (both petrol and CNG versions).

The company does not intend to create a successor.

But an electric version has been spotted, which is not under the Tata branding.

The petrol, diesel and CNG engines have a displacement of 624cc.

The engine produces a maximum power of [email protected]+/-250 ([email protected]) and Maximum torque of [email protected]+/-500([email protected]).

Within the city, it can have a mileage of 28 kmpl.

It has a ground clearance of 180mm and a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres.

It has a boot space of 300 litres.