Ratan Tata. You probably do not recognize the name, but this successful business man from India stared the automobile industry dead in the eyes and could have broken numerous molds that have haunted the industry over the past decades. His automobile, officially named the Nano, is the world's least expensive car. At roughly $2,500 dollars each it boasts a roughly 33 horsepower engine and a five seat arrangement that isn't just hard to look at, but also hard to imagine the vehicle can achieve an upwards of 50 miles per gallon. The car was not designed to boast stylish looks or revolutionary technology, but rather the ultimate blend of efficiency to meet the consumer's needs and wants in India. India over the past several years has come to have over 300 million individuals in its middle class, roughly the population of the United States. This enormous middle class is looking for some of the same luxuries as those of western countries and they have been for a while. Tata has been crunching numbers ever since the conception of the vehicle and he is currently projecting sales of nearly one million Nanos each year.
What does this mean for India as a whole? Many believe a great deal of problems. India's road infrastructure is already under enormous pressure and traffic jams in the country make traffic in the United States look minimal. When potentially supplying hundreds of thousands if not millions of the middle class vehicles, it will only place further strain on the system. On more of a global scale, scientists are playing out the worst case scenario of adding even more carbon emissions from a country that normally has kept to itself. Reports that surfaced around 2005 estimated that Indian vehicles released about 219 million tons of carbon dioxide and with the rise of low-cost vehicles and continued economic expansion, that number is expected to reach at least 1,467 million tons around 2030. Many countries are beginning to worry about the global implications the enormous addition of cars will have, while others are supporting India. Many political leaders are keeping to the sidelines with the notion that India has an enormous population and is clearly becoming an economic power that will do what it wants.
On a different note, several countries, including the United States, are analyzing the effects that this small car will have on the economy of India. The United States has had a small but noticeable movement towards smaller cars using less gasoline; however, even though the Nano would most likely not suit American tastes, especially with the lack of a radio, trunk space, and speed, the smaller footprint and higher efficiency of smaller vehicles has benefits that no nation can look over.
It is up to the new Indian market and the new Nano vehicle to show the world what will happen when low income individuals from a relatively under-developed nation have the means to travel and commute just like that of more developed countries around the world. The next time you want to go cheap, remember to reference this article.
There was a dream, and a dream team behind the most prestigious and challenging project ever undertaken by an Indian company. Nay, shall we say in all modesty, but for Tatas to launch a car price tagged at sub or near sub Rs 1,00,000 amount.
The dream was conceived by its architect (even by educational qualification) - Ratan Tata, about four years back when he heard Maruti Suzuki honcho belching out the now famous challenge of building a car at that ?price? was next to impossible.
This challenge not only fired Mr Tata but also his dream to set up a team of dedicated pros and ace auto experts to realise it in just shade under four years!
It was a sight when Mr Tata addressed a jam packed auditorium at Auto Expo 2008 last January at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi when the car was unveiled in front of invitees comprising Union Ministers, VVIPS, dignitaries and journalists.
Mr Tata in his unassuming yet charming fashion unraveled the mystery behind the ?dream turned reality? and the travails and the truth clearly gleaned out of his dreamy and sparkling eyes. The sense of relief was much more than evident as he explained the entire project without missing out vitals that would fail even a Sherlock Holmes who could possibly never be able to reveal in its entirety but for those of us who were present at the occasion, it was like the proverbial ?from the horses mouth.?
Dream turned reality was not easy to come as costs had to be scaled to proportions that matched the sourcing of required part in terms of quality and deliverance. Power train, engine design, exteriors as well as interiors, all were challenging in their own fashion and yet integrated in to one ?small yet ?big? car.
This project, according to Mr Tata, would not have been accomplished without techno savvy, young and ambitious engineers and pros, who put in their sweat and toil throughout the entire exercise.
There were all elements of a blockbuster in the making as one went through the motions but the project being prestigious as it was led by a dreamer-innovator and a true leader leading upfront, the result was all there to be seen in Nano. For all ye doomsayers? ?be it environmentalists, competitors and ?fence sitters?, Mr Tata gave a befitting reply and it was only ?Nano.?
Nano in Gujarati aptly means ?small? and the name itself exuded the Gujarati ethos ? by fate or otherwise (are you listening Mr Tata?). A family of four comfortably ensconced in the safety, comfort and ?luxury? of a car was exactly what Mr Tata dreamed all about when he conceptualized this prestigious project.
There may be more to Mr Tata's ?Nano? car what with the entire world miniaturizing its individual plans (Bajaj ? Renault, Toyota, and others to follow) to put up a small car. But then Tata's Nano is in a different league having stolen the initiative definitely over the rest.
Choke the streets; let parking space shrink to millimeters Mr Tata with your Nano, but you have definitely brought dream to ?reality? on the streets with Nano for the ?middle class? Indian family.
Let the Indian farmer fire his imagination to use his Tata ?Nano? to ferry milk cans (perched precariously out of the car windows or placed on its hood. Allow him to transport his calves and implements. May the rural sari vendor take different route each day to cater to his clients with family in tow, or allow the cabbies using Nano to provide relief to bus passengers left in the lurch when there is a breakdown or strike!
Nano is here for sure, even before it hits the roads!
Mr Tata, shall we conclude for now? Forget environmentalist fume over emissions norms; let Government fight over bureaucratic and administrative hassles; and finally, even allow opponents to raise a ?war cry,?
Both Charles O'ryan & Ashish Phanse are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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