Nano upgrade: more at same price but where are the buyers?

Tata Nano-the small wonder was supposed to be the big solution to our crowded streets, escalating population, traffic chaos and the never decreasing fuel rates. The Rs 1 lakh car that was launched in the blaze of publicity to fit within the Indian budget promised to be the “Khushiyon ki chaabi”. But it failed miserably. And was unable to achieve all that it promised- largely because people just did not want it.

With sales of an abysmal 1,202 cars in August, down 85 percent from the previous month, and a total of 1,30,000 Nanos being sold since the car was launched in April 2009, Ratan Tata’s dream car faced a nightmare on the sales front.

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[caption id=“attachment_136133” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Tata Nano–the small wonder car. Reuters”]  [/caption]

“The world’s cheapest car” was damned by being called that: a Rs 1 lakh car that aroused concern that maybe something was sacrificed in producing a car on the “cheap”. And no one likes being accused of owning a “cheap” car, said a Firstpost article.

But Nano did not call it quits. After the launch of the gold plated Nano, Tata Motors has now released an upgraded Nano promising better fuel efficiency, a powerful engine and new interiors-at the same price. “Making the Tata Nano even more desirable, the car’s 624 cc engine has been made even more powerful delivering an impressive 38PS of power(earlier 35PS) and 51 Nm of torque (earlier 48 Nm)” the company said in their release today.

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What will the new Nano give?

With fuel efficiency at 25.4 kmpl(Automotive Research Association of India- ARAI certified) as compared to the earlier 23.6 kmpl, Rushlane says the Nano will now have new premium interiors and come in vibrant colors such as White, Rouge Red, Aqua Blue, Neon Rush, Serene White, Meteor Silver, Mojito Green, Papaya Orange, Sunshine Yellow, and Champagne Gold.

The new Nano with its 624cc engine is more powerful and records a 38PS of power as compared to the earlier 35 PS, and 51Nm of torque as compared to the earlier 48 Nm.

Not just that,it also boasts of being eco-friendly without compromising on the air conditioning. A low kerb weight of 600 kg, allows the new Tata Nano record lowest CO2 emission among cars in India at 92.7 gm / km.

Fitted with an anti-roll bar at the front and an easier steering mechanism, the Nano’s exhaust sound too has been spruced up to add to its road presence.

While the Nano CX and LX have tip-tap mirrors in the front, for the standard, the passenger side mirror could be installed as an accessory, reviews India Infoline.

The price range is at Rs. 1.40 lakhs for the Nano Standard, Rs 1.70 lakhs for the Nano CX and Rs.1.96 lakhs for the Nano LX (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Tata Motors shares were down 5.14 percent at Rs161.55 per share today.

With Tata Nano converting itself from ‘auto-rickshaw’ to a fancy car, will Tata be able to improve its well below-estimate sales with the new launch?