The Hindu Business Line : Tata unveils Rs one lakh car, calls it Nano

NEW DELHI: Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled its people's car, Nano that meets Euro 4 emission and safety norms. The car, popularly called the Rs one lakh car, will cost Rs 1,00,000 at the dealer end but would attract VAT and transportation cost.

"Since we started the project four years back, there has been a steep increase in input cost, but a promise is a promise," Mr Ratan Tata, Tata Group chief said after unveiling the car - his pet project.

While critics had been sceptical throughout about the car meeting safety and emission norms, coming as it is at that price, Mr Tata said he was happy to announce that Nano meets all norms, as would a modern car.

The car is eight per cent shorter than Maruti 800 on bumper-to-bumper length, but is 21 per cent more spacious, claimed Mr Tata.

Alluding to fears expressed by environmentalist Mr R K Pachauri and green activist Ms Sunita Narain that the car at that price would add more vehicles on the road leading to higher vehicular pollution, Mr Tata said the 624 cc, 33 HP petrol engine meets B harat Stage-III emission norms and can also meet the Euro 4 norms.

"Mr Pachauri will not have a nightmare and Ms Sunita Narain can also sleep," he quipped, while recalling that some people had suggested that the car should be called 'Pachauri' and some others said that it should be named 'Mamta' - probably referring to the position TMC leader Ms Mamta Banerjee had taken against the setting up of the small-car project at Singur in West Bengal.

Commenting on the safety standard, he said the car has gone through a full frontal crash test as per norms.

The Nano will come in three variants - standard and two deluxe models with AC. The standard car would be available for Rs one lakh (ex-showroom), while VAT and transportation costs are extra. - PTI

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