New Delhi: Nano, the Rs 1 lakh Tata car, promises to change the way Indians commute, at least for a large section of them. What more, the car is likely to revolutionise the automobile industry not only in India but across the world.
So, how does auto experts look at Nano and how is it going to impact the automobile industry? Renowned automobile journalist Murad Ali Baig dealt with this question in a live chat with IBNLive readers on Friday.
For the uninitiated, Murad is one of India’s best–known automobile journalists and has been around the world, test-driving probably every second new car. Formerly the Editor of The Auto Magazine, he writes regular columns on national newspapers, magazines and various websites about new cars and bikes. Author of four books, Murad's popular titles include The Shape of Cars to Come and Rolls Royce and Indian Princess.
Here we reproduce the full text of his online chat.
Santosh Misra: What chances does Tatas hold that Nano is going to be a successful venture?
Murad Ali Baig: I am impressed by the detailed planning and am sure it will be a success here and internationally at a later stage.
Shekhar Das Chowdhury: Hi Murad, do you think it's worthwhile to add up another lakh or so and carry on with the good old Alto? Is Bajaj 'Lite' a better bet in terms of value for money, though it will be a long wait?
Murad Ali Baig: The Nano is a complete car for city driving, but not a performance, highway or hill car. Bajaj LITE looks good, but we know very little about it.
Amjad Khan: When will I be able to buy it in Assam (Jorhat)? Which bank will finance it?
Murad Ali Baig: All-India launch late in 2008.
Jitesh Gathani: Do you believe other manufacturers will come out with small cars? Is there enough of infrastructure for more cars to come?
Murad Ali Baig: Bajaj for sure and TVS perhaps. There is a possibility that some foreign companies may also join the bandwagon.
Prabhu: Hello sir, you might know about Nano and its features. If I ask you to rate it, out of 10 what score will you give?
Murad Ali Baig: 9
Bharti: How can you call it People's car? If all people start using cars, what about the traffic problems in cities like Bangalore?
Murad Ali Baig: India has 12 million cars, 50 million two-wheelers and 6 million trucks and buses. Two lakh Nanos will make a very small difference.
Ashwin Kumar: Is it worth what I'm paying?
Murad Ali Baig: Sure
Sachin:Sir, could you please comment on the safety features of this car. Particulary while travelling inter city, like from Delhi to Meerut? Thanks.
Murad Ali Baig: Tata is a responsible auto-maker and I believe in them.
Gaurav Jain: Hello sir, I would like to ask about the safety of this car. Wouldn't there be any alignment of the car if it goes on high speeds.
Murad Ali Baig: It can't go over 100 kmph.
Mohan Menon: How do you see the Nano negotiating rural roads and at high altitude hairpin roads?
Murad Ali Baig: Not too good. It will basically be a city car.
Rajeev: Hi, good afternoon. Environmentalists are speculating that - "TATA NANO will be a big nightmare for environment." How much would you agree with there speculations?
Murad Ali Baig: I believe Tata, but remember that all new cars emit 80 per cent less pollution than cars 6 years ago. Old cars and trucks need to be taken out.
BK Basu:The Nano is powered by a Bosch engine. What is the record of this company with regard to automobile engines? Is there any precedent where cars have no gear boxes?
Murad Ali Baig: No, the Bosch only does the fuel injection to the new Tata engine.
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Revati: Will Nano's entry make any difference to an average Indian?
Murad Ali Baig: Sure. Some 5 per cent of 7 million bike-users may move up.
Kunal Ojha: We say that we work hard, fuel our economy with innovations and 'better value for customer business' to take our nation from developing to developed category. On the other hand, we raise concerns about Nano being against poor and being the one which will create chaos as we don't have the infrastructure etc. Are Indians suffering from dual-mentality syndrome?
Murad Ali Baig: 12 million users of cars, 50 million users of two-wheelers and millions who travel in buses are a political force. The government has to move fast because in a hot and dusty country, people need something better than bicycles and buses.
Somu Rajappa: Tata's Rs 1 lakh car looks a stunner. Mileage is great with 20 kmpl. But is it durable for 3-4 years when bought? I am planning to buy one when it is on road.
Murad Ali Baig: Looks good.
Niranjan Prabhu: Hi Murad, do you feel that the costing of the Tata Nano is honestly below Rs 1 lakh? And if so, please tell me where they could have cut the costs?
Murad Ali Baig: No. Rs 100,000 plus VAT plus transport will be about Rs 1,16,000 and with AC version, it will be about 135,000.
Anish Mathew: Hi Murad, don't you think this Rs 1 lakh price tag for Nano is not going to stick since the Tatas can't afford such a low-profit margin for too long? I feel that just to keep their promise, they are maintaining it initially at Rs 1 lakh. What is your opinion on this?
Murad Ali Baig: Tata has don a great job with plant efficiencies, including locating their vendors in Singur.
Fatima: I would like to know if it is a geared vehicle or is it going to be like Reva?
Murad Ali Baig: It is a geared vehicle.
Deepak: Can a person planning to go for a high-end motorbike go for a Nano instead? How safe it is to buy Nano? Although it is always safer than a motorbike, will it be comparable in safety to other cars?
Murad Ali Baig: High-end bikers are sporty and not Nano targets.
Ashutosh Kalantri:What would be the effect of Nano on Maruti 800 or Maruti's small car segment? Please give the report in detail.
Murad Ali Baig: M800 is dying already and modern cars are needed.
Palani: Mr Sanjiv Goenka, VC, RPG Enterprices, said: "The car will do to motoring what Decan, Spice and Indigo have done to flying. It will bring in a whole new breed of people using cars." It would be possible for Nano?
Murad Ali Baig: Yes. Nano will do to automobile industry what low-cost airlines did to civil aviation in India.
Anurag: Is Nano not going to be a huge burden for current infrastructure? I am a resident of Bangalore and am already feeling a lot of problem because of traffic and parking problems. With the lower middle class entering this segment, is the government/infrastructure ready to handle this pressure?
Murad Ali Baig: More roads and better traffic management is a must and Bangalore is really bad.
Rishi: Sir, Tata has bought the whole automobile industry alive. When the Nano is launched later this year, do you think it will be as successful as Maruti 800? And with air-conditioning and power steering, 625 CC engine, will it be giving a good mileage?
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Murad Ali Baig: This is a historic event for word cars.
Deepak: Hi sir, does Tata intend to bring a diesel version of the car in future?
Murad Ali Baig: Later yes.
Syed Umar: Hi Mr Murad, here I would like to know can we get it with auto transmission by paying sum extra amount?
Murad Ali Baig: No.
Senthil Kumar: Does the engine of Tata's Nano car lies in front or back side?
Murad Ali Baig: Yes, in the rear.
Swati: Sir, a Rs 1 lakh car means more number of the cars on the road. Are Indian roads and Indian drivers ready to manage that kind of traffic?
Murad Ali Baig: No. The govt must wake up.
Prashant Shrivastava: Which one is better overall, M800 or Nano?
Murad Ali Baig: The latest is the best.
Prasanth: Hi Mr Baig, what would be speed limit of Nano?
Murad Ali Baig: 104 kmph
Nikhil Yelamanchili: Do you think Tata Motors (any motor company for that matter) could sustain add-on features on the Rs 1 lakh car in the future for the same price? Will we see a day when we get the power steering car as well for a similar if not the same price?
Murad Ali Baig: More features will be added in the future.
V Rama Krishna: Hello sir, what about fuel consumption of the car! When it is available to buy the car in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh? Thank you.
Murad Ali Baig: It will be about 20 kmpl. The all-India launch is later in 2008.
Bodhisattwa Chatterjee: Sir, forget about the environmental concerns, which are in itself a huge thing, where in the wide world will the cars be parked once the car starts selling? And, will motorbike owners really prefer to have a four-wheeler instead of their infinitely maneuverable two-wheelers? I mean that is supposed to be Tata's prime concern and I wholly agree with that. The one thing that an American friend saw and was shocked was how women could just hold their kids on their laps on the pillion seat of a speeding bike. Kudos to Tata, and yet who will answer these questions? Will the Tata create high-rise parking lots in cities too?
Murad Ali Baig: Parking is indeed a serious problem.
Sandeep Kumar Swain: Is it available in black colour?
Murad Ali Baig: Any colour is cheap.
Prasad: Hello sir, is Tata Nano a car India wanted? Wouldn't you think this will lead to unhealthy competition among the manufacturers and the quality of the future cars will be affected by this?
Murad Ali Baig: All kind of competition is good.
Sumit: Hello Murad, Good day! Do you think that auto-rickshaws can be replace by mini-cabs called 'Nano cab'? I mean that would be much more in the interest of environment and traffic jams? Also, we would have a better deal at the same fares? Do you see government or any other organisation or TATA itself trying to do that?
Murad Ali Baig: Why not?
Kaarthik: Sir, how would you comment on the enormous vision that Mr Ratan Tata envisaged and made into reality? Also, I would like to know your views on this car from two points: Business and Environmental. I pray for better infrastructure and also success for the new Venture.
Murad Ali Baig: My prayer as well.
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