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Tara Tiny challenges Nano for world’s cheapest car title

Tara Tiny challenges Nano for world’s cheapest car title

Viknesh Vijayenthiran February 19th, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author February 19th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Tata rocked the automotive world when it fulfilled its promise of delivering a car that costs just $2,500 with the unveiling of the Nano minicar last month, but Indian carmakers are confident the bar can be set even lower. Tara International, an arm of the Bengal Enamel, claims it will deliver a car priced slightly lower than the Nano and in the process earn the title of manufacturer of the world’s cheapest car. Tara has taken a significantly different route for the development of its car than the one Tata took. For example, Tara has partnered with Chinese electric giant Aucma to source an electric powertrain for its car (the Nano runs on petrol). According to the Economic Times, Tara will also source a 14-seat electric bus and possibly an electric motorbike from Aucma for the Indian market. Its new minicar, which is expected to be called the Tiny, will be able to seat four and will have a driving range of 62miles. Tata has ambitious plans for its Nano minicar including possibly launching a version of the car in Europe in the next four or five years. Hopefully, the introduction of such cars will eventually spur mainstream carmakers to launch similar low-priced models with the safety and quality we’ve come to expect from them.
Tara Tiny challenges Nano for world’s cheapest car title

Tara Tiny challenges Nano for world’s cheapest car title

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Tata rocked the automotive world when it fulfilled its promise of delivering a car that costs just $2,500 with the unveiling of the Nano minicar last month, but Indian carmakers are confident the bar can be set even lower. Tara International, an arm of the Bengal Enamel, claims it will deliver a car priced slightly lower than the Nano and in the process earn the title of manufacturer of the world’s cheapest car.

Tara has taken a significantly different route for the development of its car than the one Tata took. For example, Tara has partnered with Chinese electric giant Aucma to source an electric powertrain for its car (the Nano runs on petrol). According to the Economic Times, Tara will also source a 14-seat electric bus and possibly an electric motorbike from Aucma for the Indian market. Its new minicar, which is expected to be called the Tiny, will be able to seat four and will have a driving range of 62miles.

Tata has ambitious plans for its Nano minicar including possibly launching a version of the car in Europe in the next four or five years. Hopefully, the introduction of such cars will eventually spur mainstream carmakers to launch similar low-priced models with the safety and quality we’ve come to expect from them.

Tags: Odds and ends

Posted in: News, Hybrid


Comments (4 total)

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  1. By Gamera #1, Posted: 2/19/2008

    Not really sure if this is a good thing: yes, people of all income need affordable cars but there is a line that might be crossed where the autos are not only dangerous but also unreliable (making the maintenance costs negating the cheap selling price).

  2. By SuperSkyline89 #2, Posted: 2/19/2008

    The thing you're missing is that the cheap versions that are $2500 are sold in India, the roads there are incredibly dangerous and this car is way safer than riding on top of a bus packed way over its limit.

    This car will never make it to Europe with the current price, it'll need to be much safer and the price will go up. To market the car in the developed countries, you are right that it'll need to be safer and the price will go up accordingly. But for India, it's already safer than most vehicles on the road anyways.

  3. By Johnny #3, Posted: 2/19/2008

    These types of cars should not go to market in my opinion. I am by no means a tree-hugger, but isn't this against what governments are trying to do? Let's put more cars on the road, increase emissions, and make the air even worse. Don't forget what many little cars are going to do about the gas prices, it's already going up, these will just help it go up faster. IMO, these little tiny cars are just stupid.

  4. By Gaurab #4, Posted: 6/29/2008

    1. Price of big cars are high.
    2. Fuel consumption of big cars are high.
    3. They create more pollution, not because of the number of people they carry but due to their own weight. More weight > powerful engine > more fuel > more pollution and it hits your pocket.
    4. Big cars are mostly a show off. Many people want to show off by buying expensive cars when they practically dont need one. People would spend 500000 INR moreon buying an expensive big car, for show off. Never think that they could earn much respect by giving that money to old age homes or orphanages. Selfish there people are.
    5. In india the average speed of vehicles on road is 20kmph. I think 60km max speed in city traffic is quite enough. I dont think anyone dares to speed up 100km on indian roads within city limits. How many days do we go on long drives on expressways?
    6. Some people hate changes, and others are simply jealous because of the advent of low budget cars. A typical human nature. Now they are afraid every neighbour will get a new car. :)

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