My thoughts on…the world’s cheapest car
January 11th 2008 -
What can US$2500 get you? Well now you can add a car to that list, as Indian automaker Tata *snicker* has designed “the world’s cheapest car” for just that price. For a car that cheap, it doesn’t look too bad. I expected it to look like a shoebox on wheels. Here are the specs:
No air conditioning, no airbags, no power steering, no passenger side mirror, one windscreen wiper, rear mounted engine, 10′ x 5′ with seating for four, 33bhp, 50 miles to the gallon, 0-70 in 14 seconds with a max. speed of 65 mph.
Not the most impressive vehicle on the road by any means. And here’s the clincher. It is held together with plastic and glue. No welding. Makes you wanna take a nice Sunday drive with your lovely wife and two adorable children right? I bet a plastic cup has a higher crash safety rating. Plus I know this thing is gonna pollute the atmosphere like a smokestack. But Tata needn’t worry. India’s being used as an outsourcing haven, so I’m pretty sure that American businesses over there don’t comply with any environmental standards. Still, it is designed for 3rd world nations such as India, whose people can’t afford a typical car. In fact, it has been dubbed “The People’s Car”.
I applaud Tata for this. Designing a decent vehicle with the people’s pockets in mind. Just don’t try to use it as a chickmobile. You’re not gonna get any action driving the world’s cheapest car by any means. In fact, the exact opposite will happen. So it’s a safe bet that it won’t be much of a hit over here in the West. We’re too class conscious. And speaking of class consciousness, Tata is set to take over Jaguar and Land Rover. So Tata may grow into a respectable car brand after all. Looks like India’s got more going for it than just tech support call centres. The Tata Nano may be the world’s cheapest car, but it’s not the world’s cheapest ride. That title belongs to Paris Hilton *rimshot*.
Gordon Swaby Says:
January 11th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Pathetc,what happens if you need a new part for it or something
Jamaipanese Says:
January 11th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Glue hold it together!…i stopped reading after that -_-…saw the paris jab at the bottom though
Adrian Corscadden Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Glue is good stuff. Fighter Jets are held together with glue.
Good enough for an F-15, good enough for a car.
mc2w Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Wait, it goes from 0-70 in 14 seconds with a max speed of 65 mph? Somebody doesn’t know how to count ;P.
The car looks kick-ass though, and I’m sure a little bit of body modification *e.g. remove windows: no need for windshield wipers; Bring a pillow: airbag* could make this a fully functional car.
Geoffrey Philp Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 6:46 am
So if you really want a good, cheap ride …the Tata Hilton!
killian Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 7:02 am
thanks for stepping by, and yeah,
lol
this car will not come to the west, I don’t think people would buy it, I wouldn’t
Esteban Agosto Reid Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 8:20 am
The world’s cheapest car will result in pollution,pollution, and more pollution.Traffic congestion,congestion, and more congestion.Countries like India need to invest in public transportation,such as rail transportation, as opposed to every Indian owning a car.In doing so this will decrease pollution, congestion and energy consumption.
Leon Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Well said Esteban. Mc2w, I noticed that, but I’m not the one that can’t count. These are the official stats, strangely. Geoffrey, not even if they were giving it away.
Em Dy Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
No welding? Amazing but does not seem reassuring.
Thanks for the visit.
Beng Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 7:27 am
not that bad at all. but i don’t think it will pass the TUV here in germany.
off topic:
thanks for visiting my site
Mad Bull Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Jeez, Leon, its a new year. Leave Paris Hilton alone, nuh star! Thats so 2007!
Re the car, its a good car. If we could get everyone driving it, we might just starve those oil rich arabs into submission, perhaps reduce world over population issues (though I doubt it) and slow the advance of global warming long enough to come up with a new technology to actually reverse it! (Global warming, I mean). I think the car is a good thing! Congratulations Tata!
Unfortunately it won’t work, because too many people will not drive something like that. (Myself included)
owen Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
well at least its better than a bicycle, its good as long as you avoid the highway and trucks
isn’t jamaica a 3rd world country?
owen Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
it needs some dubs!
Tammy Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I don’t think I would be able to pick up many groceries with this car. LOL! Thanks for visiting my site Mom Knows Everything!
kami Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
at 2500 you acn’t complain:)
Tokio Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Interesting. I guess if you don’t have any money, this is better than walking. But you might not want to drive on a hot day in case that glue starts melting.
GeekMom Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 10:47 am
What does Tata mean in Indian? The car is an interesting idea. Better than a mo-ped. At least it keeps you dry inside. Now that I have kids though, I want something that’s going to have a chance of holding together in a wreck, just in case.
jdid Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
the question is , is the price worth the sacrifice in safety? i think i’d buy myself a bicycle and an umbrella first. then trick out the bicycle so i can get the girls . not!
Cranky Putz Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
The last thing India needs is more cars on the road….
Really this is a suped up version of a rickshaw…
Leon Says:
January 18th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Madbull, you sound like Chris Crocker! Making fun of Paris is never out of season.
LivingSouL Says:
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 am
Does it pass the crash test? Its cool though, cheap car, but is it safe?
The Daily Read - 01/26/2008 | Saphrym Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
[...] My thoughts on…the world’s cheapest car - My Thoughts on Stuff - That is a very cheap brand new car. Check this one out. Also make sure to read the rest of the blog. Plenty more “thoughts” where this one came from. [...]
Paws Awhile Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 12:14 am
This post is so misinformed. It is almost a word for word copy of a report that came out in some of the American news sites soon after the car was previewed in an auto-show.
Firstly, why the snicker? TATA is a more than century old conglomerate, one of the largest in Asia, that has been thriving since long before outsourcing came about.
The TATA group owns the world’s largest software consultancy company. It is the fourth largest steel maker in the world, it is Asia’s biggest heavy vehicles manufacturing company, one of Asia’s largest power company and much much more. You obviously haven’t done your research.
As far as the car goes, it is not held together by glue. It uses less nuts and bolts to reduce weight and cost. The TATAs have implemented a new welding methodology that is being hailed as revolutionary.
The car is Euro4 compliant, and has successfully passed through frontal and side crash testing. The non-AC version you are talking about is only the base model. The car has higher variants that come with AC, power steering et al. So that addresses your concern about safety.
I do agree that the last thing India needs is more car, but for Pete’s sake, open your eyes and see that this is a far less polluting car than any you get to ride.
You can educate yourself about this car at:
http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/
And do read up on the TATA group at http://www.tata.com
omni Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Um, this car doesn’t emit much pollution itself; it’s powered by compressed air. Of course, the power used to compress the air could come from a polluting plant, but it could also come from something cleaner.
NSpeaks Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I pity that according to you India is only for its call centers. World’s Biggest Steel Company is owned by a Indian.
Now…who told you its held by glue? Welding is minimal to minimise the cost but its not bound by glue atleast.
And it passes all crash tests and International safety standards. Plus it creates lesser pollution than a 2 wheeler(100cc).