Focused on the segment of India's population that hasn't been able to previously afford automobiles, the Nano fills a niche. It's priced around $2,000.00...yep, that's right...$2,000.00. Ok, before you start getting all bent outta shape about, "What kinda car can you build for that amount of money?" Think a bit deeper. Tata has actually been creative enough to put together a product that fits a group that couldn't afford a car at all before this one.
Now, take a second and think about the last time any U.S. car manufacturer came up with anything as innovative, in ANY WAY. And maybe now you'll see why they asked us to pitch in and send 'em some of our tax dollars.
Forget the Nano. Would it sell here? Probably not now (in any quantity), but remember...Tata recently bought Jaguar and Land Rover and has joint-ventured with MDI on the air car (a favorite of mine).
So, while our automakers look to us for help, the Indians look inside their brains and come up with new streams of income and new groups to appeal to.
Hmm...I thought it was supposed to be the Americans that are the industrial trend setters. Geez, how times have changed.
Let's have a cheer for the Tatas of the world!
Come on America...start thinking differently!
Copy and paste the link below to read more about the Nano and Tata.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE52M2PA20090323?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Best,
Dan
Personally I think its Great that India is taking an initiative to offer a product that is affordable to a lower income person. It shows that they really care for their people, where as in America it seems that everything continues to get more expensive and getting a loan is like pulling teeth now a days. With the current state of our economy its surprising that there is no real goals to help the lower income families with stuff like automobiles. Do I believe the Nano would sell in the US? No, I really think it would have a hard time selling, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. I know that in the past months I have seen over 20 smart cars zipping around town, and I honestly never imagined they would sell either. Goes to show you anything can happen.
ReplyDeleteYep...you never know. If Tata adds some U.S. features, it's definitely possible!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about something that is related to this after noticing how many gas guzzling cars there are on the market today.
ReplyDeleteEven though this approach may not work in America per se, I think we can use this "inexpensive car" idea to introduce even more hybrid or even hydrogen automobiles.
With the change in gas prices people today are looking for a solution. Sure hybrid cars are a great idea but they are quite expensive. I've also heard from many sources that if the fuel cell or "battery" dies on one of these machines it costs a FORTUNE to replace.
Think. Making a hybrid or hydrogen car that the middle class can afford, HANDS DOWN. This will make people consider buying a new, more eco-friendly car instead of that used 1994 run-of-the-mill sedan.
Whats the point of creating such a car that the bulk of Americans can't afford. I believe if they would use this approach it could drastically change the fossil fuel problem.
But then again, oil companies have so much power that i doubt this would EVER happen...
Agreed Julian, with one exception. Hydrogen is very expensive, as will be the infrastructure of filling stations. Electric is a less costly alternative (they're now showing that replacing batteries isn't that expensive) and being able to charge them at home will help to mitigate the infrastructure situation.
ReplyDeleteCar companies hauve always held a strong market ever since there existence when ford produced the model T in BLACK. since then competition has come and gone and other people have attempted to take a piece of the pie. A great example is daewoo and kia. Both I think are the ugliest cars on the planet. BUT, they are effiecient, inexpensive, and reliable. Recently kia has developed a new line for all there automobiles that look more generic and acceptable like a low end Dodge (non truck). What we have also been finiding these companies that are improving and becoming more of threats to Mercedes Int., BMW, Ford, ect. Are being bought up with pocket change. Like Land Rover was bought by BMW but is improving the brand. So there are both benefits and disadvantrages to the current auto industry. BUT THE BAIL OUTS ARE A FREAKIN JOKE. I THINK THE TOP DOGS SHOULD SURVIVE BUT NOT ALL. LOOK TO THE FUTURE... NOOOTTTT OILLL AND GASSSS. ELECTRIC CAN BE DONE CHEAP. EFFICIENT, AND FASTT. OIL COMPANIES ARE ACTUALLY PREVENTING THE PUSH OF THEM ONTO THE MARKET AND HAVE EVEN CANCELLED ELECTRIC PROTOTYPES WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
ReplyDelete-GEOFF KORFIN
hey dan how bout this article..tesla. i think we talked about them too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2009/db20090326_679423.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteGreat article...thanks!
Best,
Dan
Hey Dan,
ReplyDeleteI've spotted a trend, America is no longer leading the way in creative solutions? As an inventor myself, I have been interested in trying to dig deep to the root of the problem why the prevalance of american innovation seems to have fallen into a quagmire. On the surface it seems that American companies (and the people that comprise them) are only interested in adding value to their pockets rather than the prolonged prosperity of their society. From there I took it a bit further, tell me what you think? Because the problem is rooted within the people themselves, it leads me logically to attribute our diminishing innovation to a problem with education and culture. It is a fact that we are losing our standing in the world in math and science education, a key requirement for research scientists and engineers who contribute new developments. Why are young people losing interest in math and science? I believe it is because astronauts,engineers,doctors,scientists, and other great minds have taken a backseat to movie stars, models, and professional atheletes as "who we want to be when we grow up". Young people are told they can be whatever they want. when it comes down to it, we all just want to be loved and appreciated. It seems to me that alot of Americas problems can be traced to who we admire. I am further refining this idea in to a hypthesis entitled "Adoration as Compensation".