Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata on Tuesday said Tata Motors was considering launch of the world’s cheapest car ‘Nano’ in the U.S. market, for which it was now developing a bigger engine.
“We recognise that there is a market (for Nano) not only in developing countries, but also developed markets. For the U.S., we need a car that will have a larger engine, which needs additional crash tests, modifications… and we are in the process of doing this, which could take about three years,” Mr. Tata said at the auto expo here.
Referring to Nano’s production from the Sanand (Gujarat) plant that is likely to begin by the end of this fiscal, Mr. Tata said the company was planning to augment its production. “We have plans to add new capacities to add to the production of Nano. Our intention is to maximise the production of Nano,” he said, adding that there would be no change in prices for the first one-lakh customers of Nano.
Singur land
Referring to the land in Singur (West Bengal) where Tata Motors’ had planned to built the plant for Nano but shelved it due to protests, Mr. Tata said they were ready to return the land if compensated.
“Today we have no plans to do anything in Singur. We went to Singur and invested to give jobs. Unless there is harmony, we won’t consider going there,” he added.
Retirement plan
When asked about his retirement, Mr. Tata said: “I had said that after launching Nano, it will be a good time to step down... I still have a deadline for my retirement. I do have the responsibility to have a successor and both these things will take place.” Mr. Tata plans to retire by the end of 2012.
Earlier, Mr. Tata unveiled ‘Aria’, a crossover between multi-utility and sporty utility vehicle that will be equipped with 2.l litre direct injection common rail (DICOR) diesel engine, delivering 140 PS power.
The vehicle will be launched in mid-2010. He also introduced muti-purpose vehicle ‘Venture’ and a small public transportation vehicle ‘Magic Iris’. In the luxury segment, Mr. Tata unveiled all new Jaguar XJ, marking its India launch. The car was premiered worldwide in London in July 2009, and deliveries across the world will begin soon.
