NEW DELHI: After successfully grabbing headlines across the world in 2008 with the Rs 1 lakh Nano, Tata Motors Group is planning to launch the Nano’s US edition within the next three years. However, the American avatar will be different from its Indian sibling in as much as it will have a bigger engine under its hood.
“We also recognize there is a market, not only in developing countries, but possibly for a low-cost car in developed markets,” Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Group, told the media at the Auto Expo 2010 here.
Tata Motors unveiled a 7-seater passenger car called Tata Aria, a multi-purpose vehicle called Tata Venture, an all new Jaguar XJ and something on 4-wheels called Magic Iris – all to be commercially launched in 2010.
“For the US, we need a car that will have a larger engine, which needs additional crash tests, modifications, and we’re in the process of doing this”, Ratan Tata said. “I can’t indicate how long this will take but it could be three years.” The Tata Group, meanwhile, is also attempting to bring out an electric Nano.
Ratan Tata refused to comment for how long the price of Rs one lakh would hold. “We would hold (the) price for (the) first 1 lakh Nano cars. Prices are going up. We’ll have to see all this before commenting.”
