MUMBAI, India — A hybrid version of the Tata Nano is being planned, according to company chief Ratan Tata.
In an interview with Korea's Maeil business newspaper, Tata said that the move was driven by a need to build cars that were as cheap to run as possible.
He added that low-priced goods would create stronger demand than high-end products in India and said that this trend would be mirrored across the world, making the development of globally relevant cars crucial.
However, Tata did not put a date on when a hybrid Nano would be put into production or reveal any details of how it would run or what it would cost.
Inside Line says: There is almost certainly a contingency plan, as well, for a pure electric Nano at some point in the future. — Hormazd Sorabjee, Correspondent
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firstclass says:
08:52 PM, 12/05/2009
Sorry about the spelling my spell-check messed it up when I pasted it.
firstclass says:
08:46 PM, 12/05/2009
Just saying... I'm not one of them but I know most of my friends see cars like the Prius, Insight and the volt as social symbols rather than cheap to run. Not out to offend anyoThere have been social groups for ever and some chose to align themselves with them. These cares attracted certain groups and thus alienated others. ne.
firstclass says:
07:00 PM, 12/04/2009
Tata could bring the price of electric technology in their county down with this plan as well. I really like that this move is aimed at making the Nano cheaper to run opposed to "saving the environment". Too many hybrids sold here are seen as socially conscious vehicles and thus lose buyers that don't want to be associated with the "earth movement" i.e. (as a hippie). Not sure if they have that problem in India however.