In the “OH NO!” section of today’s news, we’re going to have to report on a very strange rumor that the Tata Nano is being re-engineered for the American market by 2015.
According to Autonews, Mr Tata himself said that the U.S. is a very enticing market. We are redesigning the Nano for both Europe and the U.S.”
He said it will gave standard features such as power steering, traction control, ABS and airbags (how many Mr Tata, two is not enough!), but that prices will be kept below $10,000.
VW is working on a budget brand, while Nissan’s Datsun revival is almost ready, and let’s not forget about Renault’s low cost Dacia brand. Can Tata really take customers from these established brands in Europe?
“The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars..but everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal,” Tata said regarding the Nano in North America.
Last year, at the Geneva Motor Show, Tata revealed the Pixel (or Megapixel) concept that probably previews the Indian automaker’s Nano model for Europe and the US.
The Pixel is a two-door version of the Nano, which Tata says is “the most package-efficient four-seater in the world”. It is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder diesel engine, churning out in the region of 60 hp.
With optimised aerodynamic drag, low rolling-resistance tyres, stop-start technology, and intelligent battery charging, the Tata Pixel returns European combined cycle (NEDC) fuel economy of 3.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.
He said it will gave standard features such as power steering, traction control, ABS and airbags (how many Mr Tata, two is not enough!), but that prices will be kept below $10,000.
VW is working on a budget brand, while Nissan’s Datsun revival is almost ready, and let’s not forget about Renault’s low cost Dacia brand. Can Tata really take customers from these established brands in Europe?
“The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars..but everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal,” Tata said regarding the Nano in North America.
Last year, at the Geneva Motor Show, Tata revealed the Pixel (or Megapixel) concept that probably previews the Indian automaker’s Nano model for Europe and the US.
The Pixel is a two-door version of the Nano, which Tata says is “the most package-efficient four-seater in the world”. It is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder diesel engine, churning out in the region of 60 hp.
With optimised aerodynamic drag, low rolling-resistance tyres, stop-start technology, and intelligent battery charging, the Tata Pixel returns European combined cycle (NEDC) fuel economy of 3.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.