Nano - the most innovative car in India

Nano created a huge uproar in the auto world when it got showcased in 2008 and finally launched in 2009. But somehow, sale numbers didn't match the hype and excitement surrounding it. This was primarily because of 3 reasons:

1. Nano was portrayed as the cheapest car. And somehow this tagline didn't work.Indian public wanted to stay away from the "cheapest" car.
2. Nano, as a product, was expected to take the non-metro cities by storm. But the company's promotion was focussed on metro cities. So, Ratan Tata's dream of few 2 wheeler customers converting to Nano customers never really happened. 
3. The few "fire" instances were not handled well by the company's PR division. Which car does not catch fire! But the company should have managed the media.

Finally, with Nano 2012, the company is making a turnaround with their strategies. Check out the new ad:



A possible turnaround of the fortunes of Nano is looking more bright now for the following 3 reasons:

1. Nano is being portrayed as a value for money car. This, in my sense, is the right feature to showcase
2. Nano specific salespoints are coming up and the company is venturing more into the smaller cities
3. The quality has been beefed up considerably.

Buoyed by some good sales numbers in the last 3 months, Tata Nano is making a turnaround that few brands have done in this country. Wish the team good luck and hope the brand lives up to the hype and excitement it created world over during its launch.

For more details on the car, you may refer to their website: www.tatanano.com/

Curious case of FIAT

One of the biggest names in the international Auto industry - FIAT continues to the amaze the auto enthusiasts in this country. Why cant they make it large here? Inspite of having been with the Tata's for over 5 years now, they are yet to find a foothold in this auto-loving nation. Not that they dont have a great product or a brand value but just not the willpower to take the plunge.
All their products have been highly acclaimed ones - both design and technology wise. The company though lacks in their service fame and reliability name. That iota of doubt still remains with this brand - how long will they stay with the Tata's and if they separate, what next? FIAT's multijet / quadrajet engine is being used by Vista, Swift, Manza and Dzire. These 4 models are the best in their respective segments but what's happening with their own Punto?? Why isn't this model making a big impact in this industry. Yes, more than the product these days, marketing speaks. Fiat lacks marketing skills in India.

Consider their topline brand Linea. One of the most stylish products in the market. Technologically one of the most advanced in its segment. Price wise, its quite luring. Network wise, its quite good given that it has the support of Tata's showrooms. Still its sales is at rock bottom. Why!! Nobody has any clue. Moreso, the company has done nothing in the last year to boost the flagging sales. No modified versions, no facelifts.. Suprising..

The brand needs to rethink their India marketing strategies more aggressively. Else they will fall behind beyond any chances of revival.

Emission Norms - India

EMISSION NORMS:

BS II vs BS III 

Euro III Vs BS III 

COMPOSITION OF EXHAUST:

• Nox – Nitrous Oxides They are formed by a reaction between the Nitrogen and Oxygen in the air at high temperatures. 
• HC – Hydrocarbons They are elements of unburned fuel which have formed as a result of a low combustion temperature and/or a poor air-fuel mixture. They give diesel exhaust its characteristic smell. 
• CO – Carbon mono oxides They are formed at the intermediate combustion stage as a result of air deficiency, which results in incomplete oxidation from CO to CO2 
• PM – Particulate Matter They consists of a core of carbon (<10μm) and comes from the fuel & oil. It is primarily the result of poor A/F mixture (also excessive EGR).  
• SO2 – Sulphur dioxide They are formed due to reaction between Sulphur present in fuel and oxygen in air.

Tata scores another first, powers car with compressed air

via http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/tata-scores-another-first-powers-car-with-compressed-air/

On September 27, 2011 · In Motoring

Having introduced the world’s cheapest car and taken over  the British revered car brands, Land Rover and Jaguar, Indian car maker, Tata has scored yet another first in the automobile world. This time around Tata is set to introduce a car that will run on compressed air,  simply known as Tata minicat.
According to Tata, with spiralling fuel prices, it is about time we heard some breakthrough!
India’s largest automaker, Tata Motors, is set to start producing the world’s first commercial air-powered vehicle.
The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nigre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine’s pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets.
The Air Car, called the “MiniCAT” could cost around $8,177.In India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels. The cost of a refill would be about $2.00.
According to Tata Africa Services Nigeria Limited, source, representative of Tata Motors in Nigeria.
The MiniCAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued, not welded, and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed air. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators, etc.
There are no keys – just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100 Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where 80% of motorists drive at less than 60 Km. The car has a top speed of 105 Kmph.
Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. In two or three minutes, and at a cost of approximately 100 rupees, the car will be ready to go another 200-300 kilometers.
As a viable alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in 3-4 hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil (1 litre of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000 Km).
The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases or loss of power.
Tata Africa Services Nigeria Ltd,  provides superior customer support and dependable service through its 3-S facilities and network of Sales and services dealers in the country.

Cars below 3 lakhs

If your budget for a new car is less than 3 lakhs, then this article is dedicated to you.

There are not many vehicles in this bracket in India. Sadly, amidst rising petrol costs, all the available models are petrol variants. But the good point is that few of them offer excellent fuel economy.

The major models are:

1. Tata Nano
1. Price range 1.52 – 2.11 (ex showroom - Mumbai)
2. Maruti 800
1. Price range 2.11 – 2.54 (ex showroom – Mumbai)
3. Maruti Omni
1. Price range 2.21 – 2.82 (ex showroom – Mumbai)
4. Maruti Alto
1. Price range 2.8 – 3.5 (ex showroom – Mumbai)
5. Hyundai Santro Xing – non AC variant
1. NON AC Price range 2.94 – 2.98 (ex showroom – Mumbai)
6. Tata Indica eV2 Xeta – base variant
1. Price range 3.01 (ex showroom – Mumbai)

There goes the price comparison between the models. True, Nano is significantly lower than the other models in terms of price, but there are other factors too that influence a purchase decision. Lets discuss those:

1. Style
• Nano definitely looks the best among all, given its trendy cute look. Santro Xing Maruti Alto and Indica eV2 are also good but they are quite old models and hence doesn’t look fresh to the eyes
2. Features & Specs

The table seems to indicate that Santro is still the best of the lot, inspite of its age. :)                              

3. Serviceability
• Nano, being the newest among the lot, has lesser parts available in the usual market. But for others, the parts are readily available in nearby stores.
4. Space and comfort
• No doubt, Indica eV2 ranks best in this category. Though the others are not far behind.
• Alto, though with low seating, can be deterrent at times especially to the older generation
5. Safety
• Indica eV2 again with a sturdy body can be considered to be the safest among all. Nano has the lightest weight but still the safety parameters are spot on. Alto and Santro too are safe enough to brush aside any worries. But it’s the Omni that worries me. With no frontal engine compartment, this vehicle still looks extremely unsafe from outside.

Automobile Family Tree

An intriguing and interesting one indeed:

Car Company / Brand Logos