First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey - Jalopnik Comments

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

hopeforit — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:17:18 EDT

I want two...
I predict they could sell thousands of them in the US
I only wish they'd give our uninspired overproduced slow
lumbering decrepit BORING automakers a run for their money

hopeforit

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

chittybang22 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:32:19 EST

Since most of you don't know the inside scoop on this thing, let me attempt to educate...

1. The world has 300 million cars now -- India's projected market for the next 15 years is 900 million cars in this price range...your avg. call center guy and family deserves to drive something more decent than a Vespa scooter.

2. This car for the weight class is not unsafe at the projected speed level (it does have seat belts and has crush zones)-- most roads in India you can't exceed 45 MPH, much less 60 -- the Interstate Highways excepted. Funny in that airbags only got to US cars only about ten years ago and they haven't been fully proven to save lives. Sometimes people suffocate on airbags.

3. To develop this car Tata came up with about 40 new patents -- which is a lot more preferable to the Chinese blatantly copying Japanes or Korean designs. Tata cut costs to the bone by sourcing parts on

4. GM or Toyota or VW can't (and won't) attempt to build cars in this price range. They cite hollow safety concerns which is a Western economies issue and not an Indian issue. But the truth is that only a company like Tata has the OEM supplier synergies and the economies of scale to swing something like this (Tata makes their own hot rolled coil sheets from their own Iron ore smelter all the way --and has for the last fifty years).

chittybang22

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

jont999 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:37:02 EST

I have an idea...
£1250 for the nano
£600 for roll cage
£1000 for a decent hyabusa engine
£1500 for decent suspension and brakes

I smell hoonage!

jont999

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

skulldriveshaft — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:43:28 EST

The music goes with this car - it's completely appropriate.

This past winter, someone who relocated from warmer climes added undercoating to their Civic Hybrid, while being told that the undercoating will definitely decrease the fuel efficiency.

I opted to put a rust stop electronic module on mine.

Hybrids are one way to avoid GHG, but the battery replacement, reconditioning, recycling was a HUGE concern before. I think Toyota kinda made that moot by putting a $200 bounty on the battery, to make sure whoever has one will contact them.

I don't know about the Civic hybrid situation.

Anything that reduces our gas consumption is great, and if it's CHEAP, even better.

I consider this to be a mild weather scooter with 4 seats. At least you won't get soaked to the socks when going home in the rain.

Will this car make it out of the Asiatic continent? who knows, but the pressure is on.

As for the people talking about the Mini, yes it's almost at 30k. You kind of miss the point of what BMW is targeting, the LEASE market. It's cheaper to lease a MINI in some areas than it is to finance a honda civic. Just look at the list of standard equipment, it's a totally different market.

I'm getting REAL CLOSE to getting a Smart Car, it's going to be the same price as a underground heated parking spot.

skulldriveshaft

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

one.in.trillions — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:39:29 EST

Reading few comments makes me laugh on those people who can afford to buy big cars and SUV's that are safe for them and their family but dangerous to road users and environment. You can buy those big toys because you can afford but what about those people that cannot pay that much amount, should they walk whole life. Cars are not safe or dangerous, we humans makes roads dangerous because we that everything foget when we sit behind wheels. If you understand the value of human life while driving vehicles then nothing can be dangerous on roads.

one.in.trillions

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

petersterncan — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:35:43 EST

THAT music for a car like that? Nothing against cheap cars... but the 2001:Space Odyssey music and a $2500 car just don't go together.

petersterncan

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Nerys — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:02:21 EST

I can not articulate how BADLY I want this car. ITS A FREE CAR FOR GODS SAKE !!!

YES I said FREE (minus shipping) you see the amount of MONEY that 54mpg would save me EVERY SINGLE YEAR is GREATER than the god damned cost of this car.

I don't care if it takes 30 seconds to reach 60mph as long as it will DO 60mph I am happy.

I do not care how cheap it is. I do not care how SAFE it is (its safer than a motorcycle thats enough for me) I just do not care.

ALL I CARE ABOUT IS THIS

$2500 and 54mpg and pays for itself in LESS THAN A SINGLE STINKING YEAR in FUEL SAVINGS.

Know how long it takes to make your money back on a Prius ? NEVER thats right for the average lifespan of a prius compared to just buying a 35mpg used car you WILL NEVER EVER save a single PENNY driving a Prius.

THIS CAR IS FREE within a SINGLE YEAR.

I am SOLD. I want ONE where do I leave a deposit where do I sign up. I want it right now. As soon as humanly possible. Shit I will fly over there to arrange it if I have to. I just want the damned car.

Nerys

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

p3p3 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:07:46 EST

MSNBC was comparing Nano to a Ford T Model. The prize of a T Model was around $19K in todays money. In India 7 people out of 1000 have cars. I see the oil running out and some traffic problems. Oh yeah, and then there's the pollution.

p3p3

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

RoninianHoon — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:36:52 EST

It looks like a giant M&M, creamy people in a giant candy shell... not bad for a $2500 car... but how reliable with it be though?

RoninianHoon

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

JoeWoodsprite — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:03:35 EST

Tata Nano = A-Cup

JoeWoodsprite

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Saboth — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:29:35 EST

@TampaRon:

Yes, I agree with you...even the "affordable" small cars in the US start at 10k, with most of them hovering in the 13-16k range. It's like they are kind of missing the point. Yaris has the right idea, but still a bit pricey.

Saboth

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

NovaloadMissesPolar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:23:49 EST

@Papercutninja: I'm with you. When people told me what the new Beetles cost, I couldn't believe it. For just a grand or so more, I got a new Grand Marquis--not with every option and at year end--but I was truly sticker shocked by the VW. Ditto the Mini. If you're going to spend 32k, get a damn real sports car.
Let's hope this extreme low end (WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD) TaTa leaves a big bruise on the rest of the automakers. I'm sure it will get rude nicknames, including Tatar or Spud or even Ta-tanic, but it really is redefining the market. Heaven help us when the other makers start scrambling to see what the cheapest--in every sense--model can be for them.

NovaloadMissesPolar

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

yellofury * * * * * — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:12:19 EST

it was cool until 2:12

yellofury * * * * *

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

stanger351 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:35:56 EST

If you get a flat tire, you can buy a whole new wheel and tire at Harbor Freight for $4.49 (on sale this week, regularly $9.99)!
[www.harborfreight.com]

stanger351

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

JackIrish — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:36:15 EST

I lol-d a little at that intro

JackIrish

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

TheTooth — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:32:15 EST

Sweet. We need some cheap cars again. Imagine if you could buy a functional stripped down car like this for $2500 brand new, then stuff a 'busa engine in it or something.

17 airbags and a ton of bloat is great for some people... I just don't need any of it... then again I ride a motorcycle most of the time so a seatbelt seems like a fantastic safety luxury. ;)

TheTooth

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

TPSreports — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:26:04 EST

Any naysayers should go to YouTube and search for "india driving" and look at what people in cities there are riding around on and how fast they're going.

I'd rather be in a $2500 Tata than some motorscooter, glorified parking ticket 3-wheeler, pedal rickshaw, bicycle, or animal-led cart.

TPSreports

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Mixtronic — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:54:43 EST

I would like to see the car in two-tone red and yellow. Yellow Being the roof, red being the rest of the car. Cut out a hole in the bottom so that you may power the car with your feet. Any similarities to the FisherPrice car of the same class is purely coincidental.

Mixtronic

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

no_slushbox — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:50:09 EST

Anyone knocking the speed or safety or looks of this thing needs to realize that it is $2500, and that it competes against bastardized Vespa knock-off based trikes that date back 50 years: [en.wikipedia.org]

It's a pretty damn impressive effort even though a Smart, Mini or Mitsubishi i is worlds ahead in safety and performance, so people shouldn't be complaining about their prices either.

no_slushbox

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Braff Wayne — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:40:04 EST

If we could get these over here, we could start another class of LeMons racers...
Now THAT would be fun (and more expensive, but isn't that generally the case...)

Braff Wayne

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Papercutninja — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:39:35 EST

Exactly. This isn't a plush CUV/Crossover/SUV/SUT or any other marketing derived vehicle for a plump short-haired "homemaker" to drive her 2.5 kids 4 blocks to school. This is the Model T for the developing world.

Papercutninja

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

lascauxcaveman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:37:32 EST

@Duffman: Seriously. And I don't want to hear any who bemoans how "bloated" new cars are today knocking this thing.

When you design something with cheapness as its first priority, you're gonna end up with something that looks, feels and is cheap. An ultra-cheap transportation appliance for third-world workers who don't a have a bundle to spend. One step up (sideways?) from a motorbike.

lascauxcaveman

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Duffman — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:27:49 EST

Let's look at this car not from the perspective of a First world country. Where our salaries are proportional to our cars and other extravagances. But look at this car from the point of view of the millions maybe billions of people who have all of sudden become players in the new car market. I wonder what the resale values will be? In a year you could be able to pick one up for less than $1500. I am sure these won't make it to Canada or US unless they are sold similar to the Zenn as a city only car with speed limited to 50kmh. Also they are in all aspects of the work disposable cars. You could buy 10 for the price of a real car and probably come out ahead.

Duffman

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there! — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:15:14 EST

@fatbraff: Well played

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

sos10 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:13:27 EST

This car is a true revolution, a reinvention of what a car should be like for 99% of the buyers and it will be hugely successful. It is the Volkswagen of India.
But I think I keep my Porsche anyway.

sos10

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Braff Wayne — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:06:50 EST

@Rust-MyEnemy: It would have been nice if they replaced the drums with chants of "TA TA .. TA TA .. TA TA..."

Braff Wayne

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there! — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:04:46 EST

Anybody think the 2001 A Space Oddyssee intro was a bit..

Anticlimatic?

Like; "Drumroll, build up wooooooooooooooooooo, expectation, hopes..."

"Oh".

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Papercutninja — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:03:51 EST

@fatbraff:
I feel your pain. I designed one, a black Cooper-S with the JCW kit. Painfully expensive. I was able to keep it under $26K by not adding ANYTHING except for the go-fast bits. Also, compared to the real Mini, the MINI is HUUUUUGE.

Papercutninja

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

biminitwst — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:00:37 EST

I like it. It remind me oc the Fiat 500, 2CV, Honda 600, etc.
One of the test drivers sings the praises of the Nano:[www.youtube.com]

biminitwst

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

dylanseals — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:59:38 EST

@fatbraff: Oh yes, so sorry. Please forgive the Dow-chs.

dylanseals

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Braff Wayne — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:54:55 EST

@Papercutninja: I built a Mini on their site once and I think it came to $32k when I was done

@dylanseals: Come on... it's douchE

Braff Wayne

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

dylanseals — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:51:42 EST

Last minute, back stage....

Tata Douch #1 "Something is missing, it doen't stand out at all?"
Tata Douch #2 "Hey put the hazard lights on."
Tata Douch #1 "Wow! That looks truly revolutionary!"
Tata Douch #2 "Hold me."

dylanseals

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

AlisonAshleigh — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:49:03 EST

I hate this thing. I'm not even entirely sure why, but I really do. It looks like a golf cart, and even though I'm only slightly over 5 ft tall, looking at it makes me feel like I'm trapped in a coffin.

Not that it matters, because its not like I'm ever going to drive one.

AlisonAshleigh

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

Papercutninja — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:48:29 EST

Honestly, I think this is a BIG deal. All other "city/people's cars" are bloated, expensive monsters. At least here in the US. The MINI? $16K to START? Really? A Smart? Similar? Why? It doesn't make sense. Don't even get me started on the New Beetle.

Papercutninja

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

TampaRon — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:36:00 EST

OK. Now Jeremy needs to run this thing into a wall at 70mph (if it will go that fast) just like he did with the Smart...that would be a show.

TampaRon

First Video of Tata Nano - 2008: A Nano Odyssey

biminitwst — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:35:24 EST

That a very Smart idea. Four an affordable city car.

biminitwst