Nano on roads in July

The Nano is currently being manufactured at the company’s Pantnagar plant, which has an annual capacity of 50,000 units. From 2010, production will start at the 350,000 units per annum mother plant at Sanand in Gujarat, that is currently under construction.

According to Tata, “the Nano represents the spirit of breaking conventional barriers. From the drawing board to its commercial launch, the concept, development and production of the car has overcome several challenges. It is to the credit of the team at Tata Motors that a car once thought impossible by the world is now a reality. I hope it will provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families who till now have not been able to own a car. We are delighted in presenting the Tata Nano to India and the world.”

The vehicle is available in three trim levels, Standard, CX and LX, with the first two versions having both BS2 and BS3 versions, while the LX is a BS3 only model. The Standard version offers three colour options, single-tone seats, and a fold-down rear seat, while the CX has five colour options, as well as an HVAC system, two-tone seats, parcel shelf and booster-assisted brakes. The top-of-the-line LX adds fabric seats, central locking, front power windows, body coloured exteriors, fog lamps, electronic tripmeter, cupholder, mobile charger point, and a rear spoiler.

Powered by an all-aluminium 624cc petrol engine, the Nano is priced from Rs 1.23 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base version going up to Rs 1.72 lakh for the top-end version. Bookings will run from April 9 to 25, with Tata asking for a deposit of Rs 95,000 for the base model, Rs 1.2 lakh for the CX, and Rs 1.4 lakh for the top-end LX model.

The bookings process is being handled by State Bank of India and is expected to receive an overwhelming response from buyers. Within 60 days of the close of bookings, Tata will allot 100,000 cars through a computerised random selection procedure will commence deliveries of the Nano from July this year.