Security history for Tata Nano launch

For the first time ever a task force has been set up to control crowds at a car launch, as cops expect 'excitement and large numbers'. Similar situation expected when booking begins

Expect unprecedented security, both from the police and private guards, on March 23. That's the day when Tata Motor's Nano, the world's cheapest car, will be officially launched in Mumbai. This is the only car in India, ever, to have been assigned a task force to control crowds.

The Nano will be unveiled at the Parsi Gymkhana at Marine Drive at 7 pm, and since entry is by invitation only, sources say gatecrashers may lead to near riots, explaining the need for security.

The car will most likely be unveiled on the lawns in front of the colonial building, which does not have a boundary wall. "Going by the 1.3 lakh people who came to see the Nano at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2008, it will be a riot-like situation," said Western India Automobile Association's Nitin Dossa, and added that proper police security should be made available to control the situation.

Steps will be taken

Said Joint Commissioner (law and order) K L Prasad, "Every necessary step will be taken to control the situation. I will be wrong in calling it a riot-like situation, but yes for sure, there will definitely be excitement and large numbers coming to see the car."

A Tata spokesperson said that the company had shared all its plans with the police.

The launch will be divided in two parts. While, the first will be a programme at the Taj Palace and Tower (entry by invitation only), the second will be the actual unveiling ceremony at the Parsi Gymkhana. Access to both the functions has to be pre-registered with identity cards issued to guests. Post March 23, the Nano will be launched across India, where a similar situation can be expected.

Even before the Mumbai police can take a breather post launch, April 6 will be another crowd puller booking forms for the Nano will be sold at selected nationalised banks and nine Tata Motor dealers in Mumbai.
Said Dossa, "It's a good idea to have a sale of application forms. It should not come cheap and should be priced at least at Rs 500 a form."u00a0

Booking fee

"The current plan is to issueu00a0 forms in lieu of a booking amount," said a Punjab National Bank official not wanting to be named. He added that the forms would be priced between Rs 300 and
Rs 500 (yet to be decided) and could also be variant dependent. Once booked, Tata Motors will process the application and once cleared, the booking amount will be deposited with the State Bank of India.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

3,000 Nanos a month

Though Tata Motors is officially tight-lipped, sources in the company admitted they expected "extraordinary customer bookings".

"If booked in the first week (after bookings open) delivery can be expected in three months (by July)," an executive at Wasan Motors told MiD DAY. This is because only 3,000 units of the Nano will be produced each month.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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Buying a Nano

The booking form will have questions asking if the applicant already owns a car or/and a two-wheeler.
Bike owners will get preference over existing car owners
Allotment won't exactly be through a draw, but on meritu00a0
Political parties want Tata Motors to give preference to the low-income group during allotment
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Maruti 800

The Maruti 800, which is still popularly hailed in India as 'the smallest car in production' due to its relatively tightly spaced interior was launched in 1984. People took to it with much interest not just for it's pricing of Rs 52,000 (around), but also, because it was India's only option from the big Ambassador.
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Priya and Lambretta

While Priya was a made in India scooter manufactured by Bajaj Auto, the Lambretta was truly Italian. Both these scooters along with Vijay Super and Vespa were the most popular two-wheelers available for travel in India and government servants were given preference during booking. Motorcycles replaced scooters in the 90's.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
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Most probably, as industry insiders hint, there would be a huge scramble for application forms for the Nanou2014the small car from the Tatas that has been famously called Lakhtakia meaning the one lakh car by the Hindi heartland. The forms which would be available from Monday instantly brought back memories of bookings for the Priya scooter from the Bajajs in the early 1980s where subscribers could hope to fetch the scooter only six months after they had booked it.

Loans available

A Tata Motors spokesperson confirmed that the company had tied-up with State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. Officials added that talks were on with Bank of India, Union Bank of India and Bank of Baroda for a tie-up to sell booking forms. "The Nano will be covered with the best financing options available," a spokesperson said. Banks are working out separate interest rates for the booking period and post delivery. "Nano buyers will be offered a lower interest rate. This will be announced later," a PNB spokesperson said.u00a0