What does Steve Jobs have in common with Ratan N. Tata? Both have the vision to build the smallest version of their products, well, sort of. While Steve is known for introducing iPod and instantly uplifts the Apple Inc. brand to almost every corner of the globe, Mr. Tata owns India’s largest automobile company with reported revenues of US$7.2 billion in 2006. You might not know it but chances are the heavy trucks and buses plying the road carry the Tata brand.

To bring their products to another level, Steve has introduced the infamous iPod Nano and today Mr. Ratan introduced the Tata Nano at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Not sure if the chairman of the Tata Group actually owns iPod Nano and gotten the inspiration from there but the two-cylinder 623-cc capable of generating 33bhp care is surely the “People’s Car”. The cheapest car in the world which is selling for only $2,500 is bundled with 4-speed manual gearshift, air-conditioning, front disk and rear drum brakes, four doors, multi point fuel injection petrol engine, basic suspension and seat belts.

The 3.1 metres in length, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres car however does not have power steering or fancy dashboard (only speedometer, oil light and fuel gauge). The Tata Nano claims to clock mileage of 23km per liter and with a 30-liter fuel tank, you might need to find a petrol station only after 690km of drive. Tata claims that the car meets safety and environmental standards despite numerous skeptical criticisms.

Tata Nano is expected to be available on the road in the second half of 2008 and the company hopes to sell 500,000 units. Just wondering if Malaysia should consider importing the car to provide alternative to lower-income group since it’s so economical.and cheap.

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January 10th, 2008 by financetwitter

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