Nano's diesel version to be launched soon: Tata

HOT WHEELS: Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons said that the standard car will have not have AC.

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Tata Motors has launched the people's car - 'Tata Nano.' The car will be available in several variants.

Deluxe version to have AC

On being asked whether the standard car also have air conditioner, Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons said that the standard car will have not have AC.

“The deluxe version that we displayed on the podium today will have AC and of course somewhat higher price which will be disclosed at the time we launch the vehicle. So the standard car will be as I said Rs 1 lakh +VAT + transport as the customer price” he added.

The diesel version of Nano will soon follow:

Several versions of the car will be released and margins will be spread over the versions. “By and large we have always been a diesel company and I assure that we will have a diesel version that will follow, if not the first variant soon there after.” said Mr Tata.

Designed to meet all known crash requirements

He added that the car is designed to meet all known crash requirements. He said, “The car meets the frontal crash norms that are required in India and have been designed to meet the offset and the side impact crash test that are presently required oversees. So in fact it will meet all the known crash requirements”.

In the process of finalising distribution system

The company is also in the process of finalising our distribution strategy, which probably would not be the traditional strategy but will have some variants. So that would remove some of the layers that might exist in the distribution and retail and service. “We have not disclosed what the transportation cost to Delhi would be. So, I think when we launch the car, at that point in time, we will come to know what it will be at different points in the country” said Ratan Tata.

The focus will be India

When asked by CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan on how soon will the export plans take off or will the preferred choice be setting up manufacturing facilities in other countries, Mr Tata said that for the first two or three years, the focus will be India. “As far as foreign countries are concerned, I would imagine in several cases, it would be a toss-up between setting up the assembly plants in those countries and the exporting depending on tariffs and other constraints” he added.

Eco- friendly car?

On being asked whether the car is eco friendly, he said that very often there is some cost attached to having a totally green vehicle in one form or another and everything may not be there in the Rs 1 lakh car.”

So take it as it is, It’s a car that’s affordable, provides transport, meets all safety norms, and meets emission norms present and future and will be a reliable formal transport which will provide Indian families an all weather means of transport. It does meet BS III today and Euro 4, ” he points.

Car to be a profitable proposition for company

“This is not a platform to discuss our profitability except to say that Tata Motors while being a socially responsible company so please be assured that the introduction of this car will in fact will be a profitable proposition for the company” added Tata.