The car's US launch to take four to five years more due to enhanced security regulations
The car's US launch to take four to five years more due to enhanced security regulations
With the world's cheapest car, the Nano, finally rolling out, chairman Ratan N Tata, explains why he does not want Nano lovers to wait too long.
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"You really don't want to wait too long for the car, because it is like waiting for a pretty woman. You wait for too long and she becomes fat and old," he remarked.
But with Tata's Pantnagar plant having a manufacturing capacity of only 50,000 cars and the Gujarat Sanand plant, which has a 2.5 lakh-car capacity, opening only by December 2009, Nano buyers can do precious little than wait.
"Customers can enjoy the wait with special Nano merchandise like T-shirts, mobile phones, caps, CDs or alloy wheels, body kits, etc to customise their Nano," said Tata Motors' managing director Ravi Kant. He added that the Nano would be costlier in Mumbai than in Delhi due to logistical problems.u00a0u00a0
Not in China
While the Tatas will unveil the Nano Europa in Europe in 2011, the US launch will take another three to four years, due to enhanced safety regulations. "The Nano is not making it to China yet. Our hands are full meeting requirement in India," added Tata.
Tata said the Nano actually exceeded Indian safety regulations of Pass Roll Over and Offset Impact. "These regulations are not yet mandatory in India, but the Nano is already compliant," said Ravi Kant.u00a0u00a0
While the Nano was launched in three variants basic, with air-conditioner and heater and with front power windows and central locking a diesel variant will soon roll out. "The Nano will eventually be available in bio-diesel, hybrid and electric versions in a few years," said a Tata spokesperson.
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