Hybrid News

Filed under: Diesel, Tata

The last-minute relocation of the factory to build the new Tata Nano has meant an overall delay to the program. On top of the that, the diesel version has been delayed even longer. Most recently, Tata had planned to launch the diesel version of the world’s cheapest car sometime in 2009, but that has been put off for an indeterminate time. The Indian automaker is now scrambling to get the gasoline version into production during the first quarter of next year.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req’d]

Tata delays introduction of the diesel-powered Nano originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, India, Tata

Tata Motors has confirmed that the rumors of an all-electric Tata Ace and the all-electric Tata Indica are true. In an unveiling in India this past week, the company took the wraps off of two lithium-ion battery-powered EV prototypes based on the Ace work truck and the Indica sedan (pictured). As we heard earlier this year, the Indica EV will first be sold in the Norweigian market next year because the Scandanavian country “has the necessary infrastructure in place to run electric cars which India lacks,” as Tata Motors President Ravi Kant put it. Indians will get their own chance to buy the car in about 24 months. According to the Business-Standard, the all-electric Indica has two battery packs which can charge in eight hour and go around 110-120 miles on a charge.

Now, about an electric Nano…

[Source: Business-Standard]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: India, Tata

click photo to enlarge

With work halted at the factory that is to build the Tata Nano, the future of the world’s cheapest car is uncertain. Well, we’re still pretty certain that it will be built somewhere, but the details are much more hazy now that people in the West Bengal region have spoken out against the way Tata Motors got the land to expand their plant. Tata might pull out and move to a more-friendly region, but what does the whole kerfluffle mean for cheap motoring in India and the world?

Writing in Automotive News Europe (subs req’d), Jesse Snyder makes a clear statement: “No matter who “wins” in the protracted protest over land in India’s impoverished West Bengal region, the innovative Tata Nano will lose.” Snyder’s article is a fair look at the situation and says that the main problem here, for Tata Motors, is lost time. Ultra-cheap cars are coming for the masses, and if Tata wants to be in the game (a game they helped create), then they need to find a solution fast. Of course, if you’re of the mindset that ultra-cheap cars are not what the planet ordered, then perhaps one siege isn’t enough for you…

[Source: Automotive News Europe]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Etc., MPG, Green Daily, India, Tata

I never thought I’d be typing in the words “nano factory siege” into Google, but now I have. On the drive home last night, I heard a staticky report on BBC Radio about some sort of siege, starting today, at the plant that is supposed produce the world’s smallest car. Since I didn’t catch the whole story on the radio, I thought I’d see the the Internets can tell me. In short, it’s a tricky situation, but the BBC has the details.

Apparently, because Tata Motors is one of the biggest companies in India, the opposition party in West Bengal - where the plant is located - is protesting the a move by the governing communist party. The point of contention is (I think) the thousand acres that the state seized for the factory’s expansion. Tata chief Ratan Tata is threatening to move the production facility to another state if things don’t calm down - and other states are saying they’re more than happy to welcome him. We’ll keep an eye on this, as the Nano promises to be a game-shifting vehicle wherever it is built.

[Source: BBC]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, MPG, Lightweight, Tata

click above for more images of the Tata Nano

Those in emerging markets hoping to get their hands on the cheapest car in the world may soon have a few more option boxes to consider checking. Chairman Ratan Tata has said in the past that an electric-only version of the Tata Nano is likely, and now industry sources are saying that a diesel engine is also in the works. Displacing 800cc and including common-rail injection from Bosch and a Honeywell turbocharger, the diesel engine has been designed by German powertrain specialist FEV, the same firm that India’s Mahindra reportedly contacted for help with its latest diesel hybrid engine.

We don’t yet know what kind of fuel mileage the diesel would offer, but the twin cylinder gas engine standard in the Nano is good for 54 U.S. miles per gallon and the diesel should better that figure somewhat, though most likely for a slight increase in price.

[Source: The Economic Times]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Pacific Region

Guy Negre and Louis Arnoux of MDI-Energy, the company behind the air car, are in Melbourne, Australia, demonstrating the air car technology to government and potential investors as part of a five year, $1.5 B plan to make and sell the cars in Australia, according to the Age. The first plant will be established in Australia and the cars are expected to be sold in Australia next year says the Age. That turnaround seems fast to me but I would guess those projections may include existing plants from Tata which MDI-Energy has an agreement to produce cars by August 2008.

What’s the air car? The air car is a very promising green automotive technology that uses compressed air to propel a car. The Age says the cars can go 68 MPH and has a range of 93 miles or, if the compressed air is heated, potential ranges of thousands of miles (the distance from Perth to Brisbane) are possible. The car would sell for $8,000, the Age says, operating costs would be 80 percent less, the plant would mean 7,000 new jobs for Melbourne, and MDI-Energy aims to reduce car emission 20 percent over the next 10 years.

You can see why so many people are really looking forward to air cars hitting the streets.

Related:

• The Air Car Can Blow You Away
• India’s Tata Motors and France’s MDI sign agreement to build compressed air-powered cars
• Old video of air-powered car making the rounds at YouTube

[Source: The Age]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Hydrogen, India

Tata Motors is teaming up with the Indian Space Research Organization to produce the country’s first fuel cell car early in 2008. With an estimated ten percent of Indians already suffering from respiratory diseases like asthma, air pollution desperately needs to be addressed. With Tata still planning to launch their $2,500 car next year, it’s fitting that they should be doing something to address the dramatic increase in emissions that will result if the car proves successful. Of course India has the same problem as other countries in moving to hydrogen as a fuel: an almost complete lack of infrastructure. Even if Tata gets around that little problem, there is still the issue of congestion if a significant portion of the indian population begins driving private cars.

[Source: Rediff India Abroad]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: MPG, India

India′s Tata Motors wants to build the Model T for the 21st century with a $2,500 “peoples” car (or, we could call it the Volks Car, or something). The problem is that even with a nascent private auto market, Indian cities already have major traffic and increasing pollution problems. In spite of concerns that the new, cheap Tata would dramatically amplify these problems, company chairman Ratan Tata wants to press ahead. He insists that the new model will be the cleanest car on the road in India and would meet quality standards equal to any company in the world. Although the small-engined Tata would likely emit fewer greenhouse gases than other cars, Dr. David Cole told AP that the cars still won’t meet US emissions standards.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, Legislation and Policy, Asia

Thailand has been steadily luring automakers with all sorts of economic sweetners to build plants that make eco-vehicles in the country, and the offers have been working (see links below). Tata Motors is the latest to sign up for some free money and, according to Reuters, has submitted an application to build a manufacturing plant in Thailand. The details are being kept confidential, but the Economic Times says that the plant will be used to build a low-cost Tata vehicle, which I suppose will be the $2,500 eco-car we′ve been hearing so much about. The plant will expand Tata’s production capacity in Thailand; Tata already has a partnership with Thai company Thronburi to assemble pickups and other vehicles in Thailand.

Related:

• Tata’s $2,500, 59-mpg offering described as “eco-car,” on display in January
• Mitsubishi joins Thailand’s eco-car project, Toyota submits application
• Suzuki and Nissan benefit from Thailand’s low taxes for building cleaner cars
• Suzuki chairman on Tata’s 59 mpg, $2,500 car: details, please
• Tata to unveil India’s first fuel cell car in 2008

[Source: Reuters]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Etc., India

The low-cost Indian “peoples car” has finally been shown in public for the first time at the New Delhi Auto Expo. Developed by Tata Motors to a target price of $2,500, the four seater has a 624cc gasoline engine mounted under the rear seat and is called the Nano. There has been a lot concern that meeting the price target would require Tata to skimp on emission controls and safety. The manufacturer claims that the 33hp engine meets current Euro IV emissions standards and is cleaner than most of the scooters running around on Indian streets right now. They also claim that the car has passed frontal and side impact tests although no mention is currently made of what standard they are testing too.

The Nano will be available in three trim levels with the base $2,500 getting no air conditioning. The two upper levels do get AC although it’s not clear if that 33hp engine will be able to move the car and provide chilled air at the same time. The minimalist interior includes non-reclining seating for four, a four speed manual transmission, an a dashboard with speedometer, fuel gauge and oil light. Tata claims the Nano can achieve 54 mpg (U.S.) presumably without the A/C. It should be available in the second half of 2008 with a sales target of 500,000 units annually.

[Source: Rediff, thanks to Sayyad for the tip]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: MPG, Lightweight

click above to view more images of the Tata Nano

Tata Motors company chairman Ratan Tata officially revealed the new $2,500 Nano Thursday in New Delhi. The tiny four seat Nano will initially be offered in India later this year, but it won’t be exclusive to its home market. We won’t be seeing the Nano in the U.S. any time soon, but it will be exported to markets where the income levels might create some demand for such an inexpensive car. That would include places like Africa, Latin America and perhaps even Eastern Europe. You can check out a video of the reveal of the 54mpg car after the jump.

[Source: Tata Motors]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: India

In the video above, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Motors, responds to critics who say the Nano is not safe and pollutes. Here’s what he said yesterday:

Let me assure you and also assure our critics that the car we have designed and that we will be presenting to you today will indeed meet all the current safety requirements of a modern day car. Of late, when it became known that we will in fact be making such a car, the attention has moved to questioning the pollution it would create. Let me again assure those who have concerns for the environment, that the car we present you today will meet all current legislated emission criteria and will have a lower pollution level than even a two-wheeler being manufactured in India today.

Concerns are also now being expressed about the congestion that could be caused by the existence of our small car in large numbers. I believe this needs to be put in the right perspective. There is no doubt that India is woefully behind its neighbors in infrastructure. The government is now endeavoring to address this situation with its new road policy. Looking ahead, five years from today, were we to produce and sell 500,000 small cars every year, we would then, at the end of five years, constitute approximately 2.5 percent of all passenger vehicles in the country. This could hardly be considered the nightmare of congestion that is being raised today about our new small car.

Below the fold is another video what Ratan explains that he made the Nano because of unsafe driving on scooters by families. Also below the fold is a video where Ratan says the Nano will indeed retail for 1-lakh because “a promise is a promise.” What do you think, readers? I have to admit, I still have doubts but I′m really impressed and excited with what he says.

Related:

• Here’s the $2,500 Tata Nano, the Indian peoples car
• VIDEO: Live reveal of the $2,500 Tata Nano
• The World chimes in on the Tata Nano

[Source: YouTube]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: MPG, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, UK, India, USA

We told you there are concerns Tata Motor’s Nano will drive up oil prices. What does Tata chairman Ratan Tata think about this? In the first video below the fold, Ratan laughs it off. We told you Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former Shell chairman said low MPG cars should be banned. Want to see Mark say that in his Prius? Check out the second video below the fold. We told Mitt Romney said he supported the Governator’s right to get a waiver … then Mitt took it back. Want to see Mitt’s first position on the waiver? You can probably guess it’s in the third video below the fold.

[Source: YouTube]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, India

We got our first official look at Tata’s Nano in January (and a very good unofficial look in December). Tata’s Nano will make its international debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show but when will it go on sale in Europe? According to reports, Europe may have to wait up to four years for the cars to arrive. Meanwhile, Indians will be able to get a hold of the world’s cheapest car the second half of this year.

According to Reuters, Girish Wagh, head of compact car projects at Tata Motors, told German magazine Focus, that Europe would get second-gen Nanos. “We will develop a successor model in four years time, which will meet the Euro 5 emission regulations and the crash standards in Europe,” Wagh said. European safety upgrades, which should include air bags because India does not mandate them, will add an unknown amount to the $2,500 car. Second-gen Nanos are also expected to get 78 MPG.

[Source: Inside Line]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily

Yesterday’s big news that Land Rover and Jaguar were sold to Tata Motors give us a chance to talk Land Rover in terms of CO₂ emissions. Jaguar we′ll just ignore for now, because Land Rover is a much more interesting case. We′ve ooohed and aaahed at the nice LRX concept, which would emit just 120 grams of CO₂ per kilometer should it ever make it out of the Auto Show circuit, but in general Land Rover isn’t exactly a clean car company. Automotive News Europe (subs req’d) found that Land Rover’s sales are up dramatically in the last few years and the company is apparently “solidly profitable″ (Jaguar’s in trouble here). ANE said that Land Rover’s CO₂ emissions across the board need to be dropped and a brand reinvention to feature “fun, fashionable SUVs with a social conscience, rather than big gas-guzzling V-8 models that attract criticism from environmental campaigners” would be the right move. I see Tata as getting a bit schizophrenic here: big SUVs, the world’s cheapest car and Jaguars? Still, if AutoWeek is correct, then the LRX will play a big role in the future of this new automotive hydra. That’d be sweet.

[Source: Tony Lewin / Automotive News Europe]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco