The Tata Nano was a city car/microcar manufactured and marketed by Indian automaker Tata Motors from 2008 to 2018. It was primarily sold in India as an inexpensive economy car for motorcycle and scooter riders — with a launch price of () on 10 January 2008. The Nano has a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was initially produced as a four-door saloon car with no rear cargo opening, with a five-door hatchback version introduced in 2015.
Tata Motors projected production figures of 250,000 annually at launch. This was not achieved, and various factors led to a decline in sales volume, including delays during the factory relocation from Singur to Sanand, early instances of the Nano catching fire and the perception that the Nano was unsafe and lacked quality from its aggressive cost cutting. Actual sales reached 7,591 for model year 2016-2017. The project lost money, as confirmed by former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry and by 2017 Tata Motors management.
In 2017, Tata Motors said manufacturing would continue due to the company's emotional commitment to the project. Production was eventually halted in May 2018. The Sanand Plant subsequently manufactured other hatchbacks, including the Tiago and Tigor.
History After successfully launching the low cost Tata Ace truck in 2005, Tata Motors began development of an affordable passenger car that would appeal to the many Indians who ride motorcycles. The purchase price of this no frills auto was brought down by dispensing with most nonessential features, reducing the amount of steel used in its construction, and relying on low cost Indian labour.. The design featured only a driver's side wing mirror, one wiper blade, only three lug nuts per wheel and a fuel tank without filler cap. Tata said it was the first time a 2-cylinder petrol engine was being used in a car with single balancer shaft.
At introduction, the Nano received attention due to its low price of 1 lakh rupees (Rs. 100,000). Some promotional material labeled the vehicle as "The People’s Car".
Expectations and effects Expectations created for the car during the run up to its production were out of proportion with realised sales. A 2008 study by Indian rating agency CRISIL projected the Nano would expand the nation's car market by 65%, but, as of late 2012, news reports have detailed the underwhelming response of the Indian consumer to the offering; sales in the first two fiscal years after the car's unveiling remained steady at about 70,000 units. Tata intended to maintain a capacity to produce the car in much larger quantities, some 250,000 per year, should the need arise.
It was anticipated that its 2009 debut would greatly affect the used car market, and prices did drop 25–30% prior to the launch. Sales of the Nano's nearest competitor, the Maruti 800, fell by 20% immediately following the unveiling of the Nano. It is unknown if the Nano has had a lasting effect on the prices of and demand for close substitutes. In July 2012, Tata's Group chairman Ratan Tata, who retired in same year, said that the car had immense potential in the developing world while admitting that early opportunities were wasted due to initial problems. Due to the sales drops, only a single unit was produced in June 2018. The Sanand Plant now produces other hatchbacks like Tiago and Tigor.
Singur factory pullout
Tata Motors announced in 2006 that the Nano would be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal. Local farmers soon began protesting the 'supposed' forced acquisition of their land the new factory entailed. Tata first delayed the Nano launch and later decided to build the car in a different state, Gujarat, instead.For initial delay, see Rain, political unrest delay Tatas' dream car Rediff.com, 3 August 2007 For pullout from West Bengal site, see For relocation to Gujarat, see
Price
Announced as the lowest priced production car in the world, Tata aimed for a price of one lakh rupees, or 100,000, which was approximately $2,000 US at launch time. Only the very first customers were able to purchase the car at that price, and as of 2017, the price for the basic Nano started around 215,000 ($3,400 US).For only first customers receiving 100,000, see Many Indians were of the opinion that Tata just managed to offer offered a four-wheeled auto-rickshaw for a price of INR 2,00,000. For 2017 price, see Increasing material costs may be to blame for this rapid rise in price.
Compared to the Volkswagen Beetle it had a relatively low price, though still high in terms of the average salary of an Indian industrial worker or farmer. In 1990, a Beetle from Mexican factories was priced at $5,300, about $ in 2022. The Ford Model T's initial price was about $850, equivalent to $ in 2022. The price of the Nano was only just higher than the corrected price of the Briggs & Stratton Flyer of the 1910s, with the Flyer costing US$125 ($1,767 in 2016), while the Flyer might be classified as more of a go-kart than a car.
Cost-cutting features The Nano's design implements many measures to reduce manufacturing costs. Tata NanoThe trunk was only initially accessible from inside, as the rearmost panel did not open. (full hatchback offered in 2015).One windscreen wiper instead of the usual pairNo base power steering due to light weight. Added in higher variants in later models.Three lug nuts per wheel Driver side wing mirror on base model. Higher variants fitted with passenger side ORVM from 2012 onwards.1DIN Radio CD playerNo airbags on any model624cc rear engine, 2 cylinders (312cc each)Front and rear drum brakes.No air conditioning in base modelFront passenger seat same as the driver seat and the head restraints are integrated.Thinner 135/70R12 space saver spare tyre.No external fuel filler cap. Fuel inlet is accessed by opening the front hood.Front power windows only offered on highest variant. PW switches placed on central console rather than on door pads.
Technical specifications The Nano (2012) was a car with a two-cylinder 624 cc engine mounted in the rear of the car. The car complied with Bharat Stage 4 Indian Emissions Standards, which are roughly equivalent to Euro 4.
The development of the Nano led to 31 design and 37 technology patents being filed.
Engine: 2 cylinder petrol with Bosch multi-point fuel injection (single injector) all aluminium Bosch Motronic ECU (engine control unit)2 valves per cylinder overhead camshaftCompression ratio: 9.5:1bore × stroke: × Power: @ 5500 +/-500 rpmTorque: @ 3000 +/-500 rpmLayout and Transmission Rear wheel drive 4-speed manual transmission Option:Automated manual transmissionSteeringmechanical rack and pinion w/o servo Turning radius: 4 metresPerformance Acceleration: 0-: 10 seconds 0-: 30 seconds Maximum speed: Fuel efficiency (overall): 25.35 kilometres per litre () Body and dimensionsSeat belt: 4Trunk capacity: Suspension, Tires & BrakesFront brake: 180 mm DrumRear brake: 180 mm DrumFront track: Rear track: Ground clearance: Front suspension: MacPherson strut with lower A-armRear suspension: Trailing arms with coil spring12-inch wheels SupplierPart/systemTexspin Clutch BearingsBosch Oxygen sensor, Gasoline injection system (diesel will follow), starter, alternator, brake systemContinental AG Gasoline fuel supply system, fuel level sensorCaparo Inner structural panelsHSI AUTO Static sealing systems (Weather Strips)Delphi Instrument clusterRane Madras Limited Steering AssemblyDenso Windshield wiper system (single motor and arm)FAG Kugelfischer Rear-wheel bearingFederal-Mogul Pistons, Piston rings, Spark plugs, Gaskets, Systems protectionFicosa Rear-view mirrors, interior mirrors, manual and CVT shifters, washer systemFreudenberg Engine sealingGKN DriveshaftsINA Shifting elementsITW Deltar Outside and inside door handlesJohnson Controls SeatingMahle Camshafts, spin-on oil filters, fuel filters and air cleanersSaint-Gobain GlassTRW Brake systemCeekay Daikin/Valeo Clutch setsVibracoustic Engine mountsVisteon Air induction systemZF Friedrichshafen AG Chassis components, including tie rodsBehr HVAC for the luxury versionDürr Lean Paint Shop
Tata GenX Nano (2015–2018)
In May 2015, to revive the model's sales, Tata Motors introduced a series of enhancements both inside and outside the car. The name was changed to GenX Nano to underline the changes, the range was offered in 21 different versions, among them a 5-speed automated manual transmission. Electric power steering, air conditioning, and Bluetooth radio were available on top models in addition to new colors and alloy wheels. The body was strengthened and the front and rear bumpers were changed, which slightly increased the length to 3,164 millimeters. The interior was also redesigned with new fabrics and improved soundproofing. The rear hatchback and 5-seat homologation were introduced. The engine remained the 2-cylinder with 38 hp.
Alternative power plants The Nano was driven by a petrol engine. Though several variants were proposed, none were put into production. An upscale version was shown at an auto show.
Compressed-air engine Tata Motors signed an agreement in 2007 with a French firm, Motor Development International, to produce a compressed air car Nano. While the vehicle was supposed to be able to travel approximately on $3 US of electricity to compress the air, Tata's Vice-President of Engineering Systems confirmed in late 2009 that vehicle range continued to be a problem.TaMo’s ambitious ‘Air Car’ faces starting trouble Daily News and Analysis, 25 November 2009.
Electric vehicle Tata discussed the possibility of producing an electric version, and while it showcased an electric vehicle Nano at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, no such car came onto the market.
If an EV Nano had been produced the expectations were that it would have been a highly affordable electric car using lithium-ion batteries and having a range of . A Norwegian electric car specialist, Miljøbil Grenland AS, was named as a proposed partner in the project.
There was, however, an electric version of the Nano released for fleet operators like Ola by Jayem Automotives which was called the Jayem Neo EV, launched in 2020. It was discontinued in 2019-2020 and only 400 were made.
Tata Nano CNG emax (Bi-fuel) The Nano CNG emax was launched in October 2013. It could run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas. Initially, it was to be sold in Delhi and parts of Maharashtra and Lucknow, where CNG was available at fuel outlets."Tata Motors Introduces Bi-Fuel Version of Nano Minicar". The Wall Street Journal, Santanu Choudhury The bifuel engine was powered by both CNG and petrol. In natural gas operation, the engine delivered maximum power of 33 horsepower and 45 Nm of maximum torque. The tank had a capacity of 32 liters (8 US Gal/7 UK Gal) of CNG.
Tata Super Nano In December 2014, Coimbatore-based JA Motorsport presented a 230 hp 1.3-liter engined version of the Nano called the 'Super Nano' at the Autocar Performance Show. Featuring a full body kit, slick tyres, a bolt-on roll cage, and smoked head and tail lamps, the Super Nano featured carbon fibre components, Recaro seats, and steering-mounted paddle shifters.
European export
An upscale Nano concept car called Nano Europa was shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. However, there was no progress towards producing or marketing this upscale specification.
Car fires There were reports of several fire incidents involving the Nano. The company denied those were connected to the car's design or its parts and blamed "foreign electrical equipment" found on top of the exhaust system. The company offered to retrofit the exhaust and electrical systems but refused to recall the cars. Tata extended the warranty on the car, including those already sold, from 18 months to four years in early December 2010.
Reception