$2,000 car hits the Indian market on clarkhoward.com

After endless delays, the long-awaited $2,000 car is finally set to make its debut in India. The Tata Nano (pictured to the left) is actually a product of the company that owns Jaguar. Talk about two opposite extremes in pricing!

Several years ago, Clark told you about a vehicle called the Logan by Renault. This 4-door sedan is available in Europe fully equipped for $6,000-8,000.

These affordable car makers use slightly older -- albeit proven -- technologies to make vehicles that are reliable but not necessarily cutting edge. Unfortunately, this affordable car movement hasn't hit the United States yet.

Estimates suggest if the Nano were to make it stateside, it would probably sell for around $5,000. That includes factoring in the cost of making the required safety and emissions tweaks required by our government.

There is a huge market for affordable transportation here stateside. So why can't the American automakers figure out how to do something similar??

What others are saying

golf carts
Please compare makes and gas vs. electric, etc.
By Margaret Ross @ 08/25/09 12:38:54 PMreport abuse
Nanu car
Price $2000. These would be flying out of the showrooms. i still haven't seen the $ per gallon. Safety: sure it's smaller and light weight, hense probably the better fuel savings. With gas going up you will see less SUV's. Agreed there is about 2000 crashes a day, but if safety is #1, why don't they outlaw motorcycles, scuters, bicycles, tricales, unicicles, or how about wheel chairs. Lets take what happened in Chicago on 5/22/09 an off duty drunk Police officer hit a child on a bicycle so hard, the child was dead before he hit the ground. You could die by slipping in your own bathtub. What if, what if, what if. If the larger cities can't find better methods of pubic transportation so people can get to work, then you will continue to see all these people on welfare and other govermental tax paying assistance. All of these people trying to shoot down something new, we wouldn't have made it to the moon, we wouldn't have light bulbs.Over 10,000 attemps before it was successful. Solution: Get the specs and have the car made here with American Workers and then $250 will go to the inventor per each car. The US automaker can be made to put an inexpensive part called the govenor so the vehicle cannot go above a certain speed (55 mph) sounds just fine. Until the US and Sweeden scientist continue with the success and efforts of teletransportation and then we won't need vehicles anymore.
By Scott Wright @ 05/23/09 10:15:10 AMreport abuse
Tata Nano
Clark must LOVE this car! Not only is it cheap, but in the event of an accident it doubles as a coffin! Talk about SAVINGS!!
By Mark @ 05/22/09 10:04:27 AMreport abuse
Good for running around town
I see lots of people on scooters these days. I would not want to take in on the freeway but for running around town it would be more protection than a scooter and you could fit your groceries in it.
By Sharon @ 04/09/09 08:18:09 PMreport abuse
Clown car
I would buy my x wife one lol. better take a few pictures with family member, you will have a close coffin furnel, crack slap pop, keep you will in the glove box or a black box, if you plan on it being read.
By Max @ 03/29/09 11:37:07 PMreport abuse
Gotta love the TaTa!
I would buy the TaTa car for $2000.00 tomorrow if it were available. It would be great to use for local and long distance. I'm 51 years old and drive alone so....if I got creamed in the little thing, it would just be me and only me. I am impressed.
By Vanessa @ 03/24/09 08:32:43 PMreport abuse
Electric & whacko cars
Only the kool aid drinking environmental whackos will buy the electric, air powered and undersized and unsafe cars that Osama, er, ah Obama will mandate. Americans with children need and will buy the car that accomodates their driving needs. If the big three are forced by the Osama, er, ah Obama administration to make these cars that no one wants ( except the whackos) it will be the final nail in the coffins of our auto industry. Nuff Said?
By Bill Walters @ 03/24/09 12:03:55 PMreport abuse
The Nano Car
This is a death trap. Can you imagine what would happen if you were driving this car, and you were hit by an Explorer...I do not think the driver of the Explorer would even notice that it hit you! Good luck insuring this vehicle, after all the insurance companies will know that even if a bird flew into it, there would be about $5000 dollars in damage, because all the parts would have to come from India!
By Michelle @ 03/23/09 06:20:32 PMreport abuse
Nano Car
If there is such a demand for cheap cars where are the Fits, Aveos and other small cars that sell for around 10k. and as for all the BS of the US makers learning from this car You should find out who owns the Parent car company making these just a hint its one of the ours. Every body talks big about owning one of these but i don't see many small cars now.
By bob @ 03/23/09 05:28:23 PMreport abuse
nano car
why sell thousands of cars for tens of thousands of dollars, when you can sell millions of cars for a couple thousand dollars.
By jimmy brewer @ 03/23/09 12:54:08 PMreport abuse
Nano Car... safe?
Lets be real about this people... Do you really think this car is safe? Do you think if you are hit by anything other then a bicycle that you are going to be ok? Small cars are not as safe as larger vehicles. I will continue to drive my SUV in hopes that if I have an accident I will be much better off then those is a small car like this.
By Susan @ 03/23/09 12:10:42 PMreport abuse
Once Again
Once again, Detroit and the Big 3 get out trumpted. Too bad our Billion Dollar Automotive Execs don't think like these people do and try to help the people and not themselves.
By Davis @ 03/23/09 11:53:40 AMreport abuse
Nano Car
All these nay comments about having to fit the kids and the dogs. How many people do we normally see in a car? One!
Most of the time i'm the only one in my F-250 Diesel. I would keep my truck and drive a small car like the Nano more frequently.
By Oliver @ 03/14/09 05:54:48 PMreport abuse
Choice is the key
I would love to see more cars like this, but I really hate the few who want to take away the choices of others. I work with the Boy Scouts and with a puppet team. I occasionally need to pull a trailer; when I retire, I'd like to pull a trailer more often. There are too many people that cast aspersions at others because they make a different choice.

This car would be a lot safer and more useful that a motorcycle and probably get better mileage as well. It's a choice I would love to have available; but I would hate to see an America that would FORCE its citizens to buy this kind of car.
By Ed @ 03/12/09 07:46:14 AMreport abuse
Innovation for automobiles emissions and MPG
Please check out www.scuderigroup.com website. This is set to finally present the prototype being developed for the past 6 or so years ... at the SAE Show in Detroit in April (details on website). 80% emission reduction and 30% better MPG. Still runs on all fuels currently being used. No infrastructure change required (ie: fuel cell).
By Linda Langlais @ 03/11/09 04:40:59 PMreport abuse
City Streets Maybe...
A very cute death mobile. I would never buy one of these for myself or anyone I cared about. Take an empty coke can and crush it against your forehead - that's what would happen to this thing if it was in a crash with any normal size car - I don't even want to think about an Escalade, Ford 350 or the like... Maybe OK for city or neighborhood driving where you are restricted to 35 mph or less.... or maybe in a 100 years when technology can make something this small, efficient, and able to withstand being hit by a semi.
By Lane @ 03/10/09 11:45:20 PMreport abuse
The Nano
I've read most of the comments and most are valid, especially in regards to the UAW and CAFE. We are a spoiled society and the unions, although they did good for the workers in the beginning, are run by power hungry, status loving, economy destroying fools. The union driven car companies will all be out of business at the rate they are going. The Nano seems to be the way to go, mainly as a go to work car, especially here in California where folks can set in traffic almost as long as there work day is (3-4 hrs in either direction) just burning fuel. Using a carburetor system would make it easy to convert to hydrogen which is the cleanest fuel you can use. The big cars, trucks and suvs have their place, but big bucks can be saved on fuel just using it as a commuter, since that were most of the fuel is used. Road maintenance would be lowered with the lighter vehicles running on them. Start a new co-op car company to build them. It will work better than any of the money grubbing corporate companies do
By Concho Creek Kid @ 03/10/09 01:57:42 PMreport abuse
The U.S. auto market isn't free
Based on a lot of the comments here, it sounds like a no-frills car like the Nano would be popular in the U.S.

Unfortunately, as a few of you have mentioned, U.S. auto makers are beholden to the benefit-craving UAW, which means that the only way they can make a profit is to build big, expensive cars. On the other hand, they are forced by the government CAFE standards to build fuel efficient cars. It's a contradiction -- that's why the U.S. auto companies are bankrupt. Until either the UAW or CAFE or both are abolished, the problem will remain.

That's a shame, since in a free market, the Nano would likely survive.
By Mike @ 03/09/09 07:28:19 PMreport abuse
Tato Nano
Another ugly clunker.
By Bob @ 03/09/09 06:00:11 PMreport abuse
We need multiple standards
I agree with Sterling, we really should have a more open system for importing cars that allows "city cars" like this to be marketed here with minimal performance and safety requirements. Japan does it with their itty-bitty 'kei' cars, we can do it on a larger scale for our larger, er, derriers!
By Tom Servo @ 03/09/09 05:35:43 PMreport abuse
commuter car
The $4/gal gas last year should have made a lot of people buy the Toyota Yarris H/B($12K). But I still see big trucks and SUVs in the parking lot where I work! Nano is probably OK to drive short distance to work and get groceries.
By Ven @ 03/09/09 04:49:10 PMreport abuse
$2000 Car
That thing looks like a good way to get killed. If I had only a few thousand to pay for a car I would rather have a used one.
By Ron Stewart @ 03/09/09 04:48:52 PMreport abuse
2 Standards in America
What would be wrong with making two standards just like scooters in america for cars. Cars that are made for less then 45-55 and cars made for over 55+. That way if you need a putter for work and city you have it, and they don't have to worry about the crash ratings as much. Just an idea
By Sterling @ 03/09/09 03:56:31 PMreport abuse
India took our med. transcriptionist jobs
The word India makes me cringe. Long conversations with India Linksys customer service reps that don't know our customs and answer with a pre-scripted answer. My medical transcription paycheck has dwindled greatly because work is going to India, and their work is poor quality (but cheap).
By Beth @ 03/09/09 03:53:50 PMreport abuse
smart car
Look at the smart car that is here now, paid aout 14,000 for it, 40 MPG will do 90 MPH and carry 12 cubit feet of gear behind the seats,
By William Jacobs @ 03/09/09 03:33:24 PMreport abuse
Where do people 6'6" and taller get cars in the micro world. I have to drive a larger car for leg room and comfort !
By Rich @ 03/09/09 03:26:41 PMreport abuse
re: Large Cars have their place too
Al is right. Americans are different. We have to carry children, spare tires, groceries, and suitcases. No one else in the world has to worry about that stuff.
By Jasdog @ 03/09/09 03:02:40 PMreport abuse
$2000 car
We NEED cheaper transportation for those of us who are retired/city dwellers/never-leave-home people!
We don't need Freeway/high-speed/"macho" vehicles - we need CHEAO transpaortation - just up a little from a powered scooter!
WE NEED THESE CARS ! !
By Karla @ 03/09/09 02:17:39 PMreport abuse
Nano Europa unveiled
Tata Motors has just unveiled a more "Westernized" version of the Nano, called the Nano Europa, at the Geneva Autoshow. The N-E will feature more upscale features than the Indian market Nano, such as airbags, power steering, and a 3 cylinder (vs. 2 cylinder) engine. Now, this version might just sell in the US! As an aside, wouldn't it make sense if the major European countries, the US, and Japan could agree on emissions and safety standards, so one auto design would fit all three major markets without having to incurr huge change / testing expenses? Makes sense to me ...
By John @ 03/04/09 07:53:49 AMreport abuse
I'm 4 it but..
Remember YUGO and the famous 70's car the PACER. Hope there not built like those cream puffs.
By Kim @ 03/03/09 06:14:54 AMreport abuse
Re: It's already here in the states
Or how about my choice of a 10-year old Volvo sedan?
By John H @ 03/02/09 07:18:05 PMreport abuse
It's already here in the states
It's called a USED chev aveo

:)
By Erik @ 03/02/09 05:31:15 PMreport abuse
Parking
You can park 4 of those Nanos in one space and pay 1/4 of the cost in downtown parking. Other than the fact of two people being double parked until the other two get off work it's a win win win win situtation. ;-)
By Brian Townsend @ 03/02/09 03:14:37 PMreport abuse
Large Cars have their place too
Before any of you get your panties in a wad about larger vehicles, I'd love to see this car's capacity for carrying groceries, your children, a suitcase, a spare tire or anything else people need to carry in their vehicles. Yes; SUV's and trucks are expensive, and in most cases, gas guzzlers. While these "nano" cars provide a cheap option, their virtually useless to most American families. If you want a cheap mode of transportation, you might as well get a bike or a golf cart. At least golf carts are cool. SUV's and trucks have come a long way in terms of fuel efficiency and still satisfy consumer demand for vechiles that accomodate their everyday needs.
By Al @ 03/02/09 02:39:19 PMreport abuse
Cheap is the word
I agree we can't build a cheap car in the USA even though we farm out a good bit of the assembly to plants in mexico, the unions here pay people 6 figures to watch a robot weld....the next time they want a bailout , the gov. should say fine, but the unions have to go!!

...as far as the nano goes it is a cheap car 100,000 rupies ($2500) and is basically an upgrade to the motorcycles and scooters people now drive in India because it has a roof to keep the rain off of them. It has a belt driven transmission and a 2 cylinder putt putt engine...it does have a back seat (with no seat belts),no safety glass, it has no air bags, and is so light if it hit anything but another nano it would be crushed...the gas tank is 4inches thick and runs along the floorboard to conserve space (brings visions of firey death in even a minor fender bender)...the only way a car like this would work is if everyone else were driving them too...or motorcycles and scooters, nobody would be able to drive over 70 mph and nobody would get hurt, but lord help those who get hit by a truck in one of these. India is adding 1500 cars a day to their roads which is already making traffic and road conditions a major concern, now with an affordable car their problems will compound dramatically...in places where cows wander the streets freely and oxen are still used for transport, they won't need their cars to go very fast....i'm waiting for the greedy oil companies to use the possible increased demand in India (because of this car) as an excuse to raise our gas prices at the pumps.
By Dave @ 03/02/09 02:24:24 PMreport abuse
DESTROY GIANT CARS & TRUNKS!!!!!! Yes I want to blow up your hummer, your SUV should be scrapped, and your Dooley doesn't make you a man, it just shows your "difficulties". Large vehicles make me sick! Be a real American, quit supporting terrorist gasoline and get a smaller car. Let's see what kind of rednecks come out of the middle of no where to reply to this comment...bring it on rednecks
By Amber The Rockstar Loudmouth @ 03/02/09 02:12:38 PMreport abuse
Tata nano
I am a HUGE fan of micro vehicles and would love to see something like this on our shores but I doubt it will happen. While I wait I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Toyota/Scion iQ and the Nissan Cube to make their appearance soon.
By MochaCaliGirl @ 03/02/09 01:40:26 PMreport abuse
affordable car in America?
Not with the almighty union contracts. Carmakers are required by socialist unions to pay outrageous wages and benefits. The American public is required to bend over and assume the possition obediantly.
By M.Payne @ 03/02/09 01:38:27 PMreport abuse
Nano
Somewhere along the line the auto makers felt that a car should cost the equivelant of persons annual take home pay - these days are fast ending, no matter how much the congress pumps up the makers. I will be first in line to buy an economical car, they will say its unreliable - but how many of us have spent much more for a unreliable car - I did it was called a 1991 ford taurus!
By ncsteve @ 03/02/09 01:36:55 PMreport abuse
Nano specifics ...
Some technical details - the Nano has a two cylinder, ~ 26 horsepower engine, with a 4 speed manual transmission. A CVT transmission was initially planned, but appears to be on hold for now. Since the Nano has a modern fuel injection system (from Bosch), drivability should be better than the "logical comparison car" - i.e., the Beetle, but it does have less power that the Beetle. So, it would be "interesting", at best, on a freeway or even a 55mph highway. The Nano has a rear engine coupled with rear wheel drive - this might also make for unique driving dynamics, but likely would not be any worse than the Beetle. Since the engine is water cooled (vs. air cooled for the Beetle), it might even come with a "real" heater! I've searched high and low on the internet, but have yet to come across any crash test info / video footage.
By John Einberger @ 03/02/09 12:04:14 PMreport abuse
I'm ready to buy
The haters below will probably continue hating -- do I sense a few angry white males??? I'm ready to fork over some cash and buy one of these for my husband to drive back and forth to work. I'll keep my gas guzzling mini van to haul the kids. That works for me. He wants a smaller car but given the fact that he only drives 2 miles to work, it would take a lifetime to pay back the difference. His luxury sedan runs well, is in good shape, and has never had a payment.
By Yep @ 03/02/09 11:52:35 AMreport abuse
VW's again
Only people born in the 40's and 50's rememeber the orginal "bug". Sold for about 950.00 had a 36 hp engine got 30+miles to a gal. Could carry 4, two comfortablly. During the race to the moon, 3 out 4 vehicles at Cape Kennedy driven by scientists were VW Bugs, the old can and should become the new again
By Kahuna @ 03/02/09 11:17:25 AMreport abuse
Long live our SUV's!
By Blake @ 03/02/09 10:35:14 AMreport abuse
low priced auto competition
The UAW union would never allow the cars to be available to the public here. They need the bloated union wages that result from bloated prices on the products. We will NEVER see those cars here.
By Greg @ 03/02/09 09:26:09 AMreport abuse
tata
I'd buy at least 3
me, wife, daughter
By Art S @ 03/01/09 04:27:36 PMreport abuse
Low priced cars
If GM,Ford,Chrysler would all come out with a $6,000 vehicle---they would sell
20-25 million ea. Beats selling 5-7 million at $20,000 each. Also more people would qualify for a loan and the default rate would dramatically decrease. Of course the labor hour cost must come down to $15.00/hr.
By Tim @ 03/01/09 03:27:31 PMreport abuse
tata nano
i'm ready to buy
By dave howard @ 02/28/09 08:31:38 PMreport abuse
Thank You Federal Government
Federal government safety and environmental regulations are the reason these low-cost cars aren't sold in the U.S.A.

Keep dreaming plebes, your $3K wunder wagon will be just that, a dream. Send those thank you notes to Nancy Pelosi and her new water boy at the White house.
By Jeff @ 02/28/09 12:06:30 PMreport abuse
Cost of medical insurance paid by employer
One of the major cost of US employer is to add medical health insurance cost to the product the company is selling. I think we can never make this cheap car here.
By sks @ 02/28/09 09:22:01 AMreport abuse
Less Expensive Auto
This type of vehicle is in strong demand. The VW from several decades ago was just fine and very inexpensive. It also went 300,000 miles and was still doing fine!
By Ruthiecat @ 02/28/09 02:02:06 AMreport abuse
Turnaround
Hey Bud, The fastest way to turn around the big three auto makers is BANKRUPTCY
All the rest of these big companies that have gotten a bailout need a dose. The big CEO's need too loose their A$$ along with their so called Board of Directors. I just feel sorry for ole Joe Peanutpicker who invested with them with his 401K. Maybe the government should insist that all these highly paid officer of the company make good on this by surrendering their personal assets to make good on the companies debt to investors of 401K plan that lost money due to their actions while in charge.
By Grandpa Gene @ 02/28/09 01:25:16 AMreport abuse
Self-serving American Automakers
The big three don't get it! Can anyone imagine the demand for a 2-seater around-town electric vehicle with a base price of about $3-grand? Just offer a base-vehicle without batteries. The buyer purchases and installs their own batteries, as many as they desire or need for around-town or highway driving, say 4-16 or so. They would spend 20 years trying to meet the demand for something we actually WANT to buy and that everyone can afford. But NOOOOO...what do we get instead? Huge, expensive, vanity-based, fuel-swilling SUV's and pickups. With all of this bailout money, you'd think someone would put a halt to this nonsense and turn things around for good.
By JD Adams @ 02/27/09 10:22:36 PMreport abuse

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Feb 27, 2009 -- $2,000 car hits the Indian market

What others are saying