Nano, cynosure of all eyes

The unveiling of the Tata Motors’ “People’s Car” — ‘Nano’ (now being referred to as “Lakhtakia car” because of its Rs.1-lakh price tag) — was being eagerly awaited not just by the Indians but by the entire world.

It was not just correspondents from national as well as regional media who congregated at the Tata Motors pavilion at the Auto Expo, a large number of scribes, of both print and electronic media, from across the globe — the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Canada — besides representatives of all international wire agencies were awestruck after seeing the car.

They could hardly believe seeing a car with a fuel-efficient engine, meeting all safety and emission norms, and that too, at just one-fourth the price of small cars available in the U.S. and European markets.

“It is a milestone for not just Indian automobile industry but for the entire global auto sector. It will give some jitters to all global car-makers who are now focusing on small cars too,” said a Delhi-based senior auto journalist of a U.S. wire agency.

“In the U.S., the cheapest car comes in a price range of $10,000-$15,000, but now we have a serious competition with ‘Nano’ priced at $2,500. Though it will take some time for the Tatas to prove this car in the Indian market before introducing overseas, this has definitely highlighted Tatas’ growing prowess in the global auto arena. And if Tatas win the Jaguar and Land Rover bid, it will be icing in the cake for the company,” he added.

At the press conference held after the unveiling ceremony, journalists questioned Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata on India’s poor road infrastructure and on traffic congestion issue.

“All these issues are to be addressed by the government and not me. My dream was to provide connectivity to billions of Indians and I think I have delivered on my promise to each Indian family. It will change the way people travel, particularly in semi-urban and rural India,” said Mr. Tata. Totally agreeing with Mr. Tata’s views, Rajesh Kumar, who runs a small book stall in the capital and was present at the Auto Expo to have a glimpse of the “Lakhtakia” car, said: “Today is the happiest day for my family, particularly my children, as I too can now think of buying a car. Mr. Tata will always be remembered as a person who realised the dreams of middle-class Indians.”