Mini Envy

[PlainCityVWBug]

Really? Why is that?

[JanetMermaid]

Nano will also never pass US emissions standards.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by PlainCityVWBug

Really? Why is that?

In order for the Tata Nano to pass US emissions and crash standards it would have to be redesigned from the ground up. It would no longer be a Tata Nano.
And, would cost at a minimum 4x as much as a Tata Nano ... IMHO.

[PlainCityVWBug]

I'm glad the car won't come to the U.S. I never liked it anyway.

[Cruising n Coasting]

Problem with the Nano is the worldwide demand for gas is gonna increase. That means $5/gallon soon. Consider that India is VERY poor, so maybe 10% can afford a $2500 family car. That still translates to an extra 1,000,000+ cars on the road. Then if China wants it, you can add another 2,000,000+ cars on the road. Now at 3M+, and at a conservative 10% of population, that should cause gas to jump at least 50-80 cents a gallon in the next year.
Are there any economists in the forum that can extrapolate some numbers??

[MrVvrroomm]

Originally Posted by Cruising n Coasting

Problem with the Nano is the worldwide demand for gas is gonna increase. That means $5/gallon soon. Consider that India is VERY poor, so maybe 10% can afford a $2500 family car. That still translates to an extra 1,000,000+ cars on the road. Then if China wants it, you can add another 2,000,000+ cars on the road. Now at 3M+, and at a conservative 10% of population, that should cause gas to jump at least 50-80 cents a gallon in the next year.
Are there any economists in the forum that can extrapolate some numbers??

Oh crap, a math word problem. I was never very good with those. LOL

[saronian]

mini's tailgate me. I wonder if they're frustrated when something smaller is in front of them.

BTW -
I just read that construction of the new factory to build the Nano has been put on hold. There were strong protests over the low price paid to farmers displaced by the factory. So it may be late 2009 before anyone sees a Nano.

[rwjrn]

I really like the mini, but every time I configure one with the options I'd like it's 30 grand. Love that pepper white with the black fenders, black wheels and racing stripes though. It's a great look.

[victor24]

Wait till the Toyota IQ hits the street. There will be three mini cars with Smart still being the smallest.

[BigWarpGuy]

If they actually build the BMW Isetta concept, then there will four mini cars with the Smart being the nicest. I wonder if this many small cars will lead to more compact or mini car spaces in parking lots?