Smart Nano or... the $2k smart

[gbryers]

I saw an interview a while back with the owner of Tata motors. He stated that the purpose of the low-priced car was to get families off of mopeds (yep, it is not un-common, apparently, to see two adults with a number of small children piled on a moped). That disturbed him enough to seek out an alternative. However, for anyone that understands the costs involved in building a car, there is no way that a car deemed safe for US roads could be made locally, no less imported, for even double the intended sale price in India. By the time it passes emissions standard, safety standards, etc., it would not be comparable to the $2500 version in India (not to mention that you would have to shop for tires in the wheel-barrow section of Lowe's). And yes, I have been asked whether or not my smart was "that Indian car", but I have heard far less thoughtful questions than that. If you ever watched Jay Leno's "Jay-walking" segments, you would know that there are some scary folks walking around....

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by SmartPassion

With emphasis on the "ug" part.

It looks to me like a bean on wheels.

[jediknight36]

What would be awaome is if someone with a sense of western or far eastern auto design would take the tech in that car and build around it. My guess is Tata won't have exclusive rights to the French company's drivetrain.

And I was getting those coments before this thread started: a year before my R2D2 came in. I don't think they are stupid, just confused and ignorant because they are not into cars like we are (never said that before...).

[sunnyokanagan]

Sticker: NO TATAS!


Um ... wait a sec ...

[brian r]

Originally Posted by gbryers

I saw an interview a while back with the owner of Tata motors. He stated that the purpose of the low-priced car was to get families off of mopeds (yep, it is not un-common, apparently, to see two adults with a number of small children piled on a moped). That disturbed him enough to seek out an alternative. However, for anyone that understands the costs involved in building a car, there is no way that a car deemed safe for US roads could be made locally, no less imported, for even double the intended sale price in India. By the time it passes emissions standard, safety standards, etc., it would not be comparable to the $2500 version in India...

There was a nice article about the car and company founder Ratan Tata in Automobile magazine recently.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ano/index.html

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by gbryers

I saw an interview a while back with the owner of Tata motors. He stated that the purpose of the low-priced car was to get families off of mopeds (yep, it is not un-common, apparently, to see two adults with a number of small children piled on a moped). That disturbed him enough to seek out an alternative. However, for anyone that understands the costs involved in building a car, there is no way that a car deemed safe for US roads could be made locally, no less imported, for even double the intended sale price in India. .

For that reason alone I have no problem seeing a car like that on the road in India. Why build a car to meet safety standards for roads filled with SUV's going 80 mph when you can design a car to safely travel in a world of mopeds and 3 wheel taxis
They don't need the same safety level. And if you add 1,000,000 of these onto the India roads no one will ever get up to speeds over 25mph.

Now the polution levels, thats a different issue.

[Jeff C.]

Frankly,I love Ta Tas.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by Jeff C.

Frankly,I love Ta Tas.

What guy doesn't?