World's Cheapest Car Goes On Sale In India

Frankie70 writes "The Tata Nano — the car that caught the world's imagination as the cheapest ever — will finally be rolled out commercially on Monday in Mumbai in a mega event organised by Tata Motors. Ben Oliver, contributing editor, Car Magazine, London test drove the car in December, 08. These were his first impressions. This was his verdict: 'CAR's first ride in the Tata Nano felt far more significant and exciting than a first drive in a Ferrari or Lamborghini, because this car's importance is immeasurably greater. It won't compete on dynamics or quality with European or Japanese city cars, but it doesn't have to. What Tata has achieved at an unprecedented price is astonishing, although we'd guess it will cost Indian consumers closer to £1700 when it finally goes on sale, six months late, in March 2009.'"

Comments

Re:And will be unavailable anyplace else....

[furby076]

Yes I enjoy such draconic rules as:
1) You must get car insurance so when you hit me my medical bills and pain and suffering is covered. India does not have this
2) Your car must meet certain safety standards so you can mitigate the damage you do to yourself and your friends/family when you hit something with your car. This saves on insurance costs, keeping the cost to insurance for other people down. India does not have this.
3) Your car needs to meet certain emissions standards. Low gas consumption is not the only concern in emissions. India does not have this.
4) Your car requires you to have a drivers license to drive, annual inspections/emissions. To make sure you have at least some cursory knowledge of the road rules, and to make sure your car's tail-pipe won't fal off in mid drive. India does not have this.
5) Your way of life was dictated to you before you were born (unless you are about 80-90 years old). People in the US/UK/Germany and other countries where cars have been a dime a dozen for many decades are needed because people built their lives around it (not necessarily by choice). India does not have this (for long).

Just because something can be done doesn't make it a good idea. Let's see how India enjoys $4/gallon gas prices - which will happen with an extra 10 mil drivers. Let's see how long it will take them to get the necessary rules/regulations to bring their cars up to snuff and then let's see if those cars make it.