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The Tata Nano looks like an ugly little car, and it is, but it's really the opening salvo for a manufacturing war between India and China. It's easy to forget that there's a HUGE and hungry market for cheap transportation in South American, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. People just can't afford a new car in those place and are driving 20-30 year old Toyota trucks and VW Beetles held together with balling wire and hope. They NEED a car like this.

If the Nano manages to be as reliable as it is cheap, I seriously think it could be what the Model T Ford or VW Beetle or Citroen 2CV were in their day. Simple affordable transportation for the people. I also think that this could have implications for us as well since it seems to pass crash and emmissions tests in Europe. For all we know, it might find it's way here too. Think about it, wouldn't you buy this as a second car if it lasted 4-5 years trouble free? You know, as a daily driver. Would save a lotta mileage off a Mustang or Camaro. Also, the Tata Nano could be sent to our shores without a drivetrain and fitted with a Electric/Gas engine built in America. Then we'd finally see the first Hybrid that cost less than 12,000$

Not only that, but I think this will cause a price war between China and India which, even if this car never comes to our shores at all, will definitely affect us. You can bet that China is now worried that American car manufacturers may want to invest in India if the Nano has decent build quality. Also, China wants to corner the American market, but imagine if Tata made a 7,000$ mid-size sedan aimed at us. What then? China has a lot more ressources and manufacturing technology, they may try to make a 5,000$ car. Who knows?

This can't be anything buy good for us cheap folk.

I'd put a lawnmower deck on it and mow yards in the rain...


Desert Tuners

“When you come across a big kettle of crazy, it’s best not to stir it.”

FReQ Z (ikE-Zed) wrote:I'd put a lawnmower deck on it and mow yards in the rain...

hahahahaahaha

looks like an expensive golf cart.

mclonedogmcwad wrote:looks like an expensive golf cart.

Actually, that's a lot cheaper than a new golf cart.




fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster

Looks like something Urkel would pick up after dropping the Isetta.

looks like a 4 door echo and a go kart mated. those tires look like there 8-10inches

Would never pass US crash tests.


EVER.


-Borsty

Knoxfire wrote:[Think about it, wouldn't you buy this as a second car if it lasted 4-5 years trouble free? You know, as a daily driver.

no. not even close. perhaps if i lived in a big city, then it might be somewhat feasible. but around here people have between a 30-45 minute commute (one way, on average) so something like that just couldnt work. plus i wouldnt feel safe driving that sort of thing at all. the majority of our claims for insurance come from hitting deer. i know a deer will @!#$ up a regular vehicle.....i cant imagine hitting one in one of those, even if you were only cruising at half the normal speed.




coming back in 2008...

you could have bought one in china town 2 years ago


I'm back from the dead.
Currently Driving: RSX Type-S.
My Cavalier Burnt up :-(

If I saw one of those things on the freeway, I think I would crash because I'd be pointing and laughing at it and the driver so much.

That thing needs to look alot better for me to consider one. I'd rather buy a used $2,500 car then that thing.

A midsize car around the price of $7,000 seems attractive though

well apparently it gets 50MPG, it's rwd,
and honestly.. it doesn't look that bad for a $2500 car








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