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Tata Motors on Friday launched the CNG variant of its micro SUV <keyword id="5700" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punch" source="Orion">Punch</keyword> priced between Rs 7.1 lakh and Rs 9.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The <keyword id="16263040" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punch-icng" source="Orion">Punch iCNG</keyword> is equipped with the company's proprietary twin-cylinder technology with enhanced safety features like a micro-switch to keep the car switched off at the time of refuelling and thermal incident protection that cuts off CNG supply to the engine and releases gas into the atmosphere, Tata Motors said in a statement. It is also equipped with other features such as voice assisted electric sunroof, automatic projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, 7-inch infotainment system by Harman that supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity, rain sensing wipers and height adjustable driver seat. The company also said it has also introduced the twin-cylinder technology on its Tiago and Tigor models. The Tiago iCNG is priced between Rs 6.55 lakh and Rs 8.1 lakh, while the Tigor iCNG comes at a price range of Rs 7.8 lakh to Rs 8.95 lakh. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd Head-Marketing, Vinay Pant said these introductions put together will make the company's CNG line up "appealing, holistic, and stronger than ever". SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/samsung-introduces-costliest-tv-in-india-priced-over-rs-1-crore/slidelist/102351372.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/samsung-introduces-costliest-tv-in-india-priced-over-rs-1-crore/slidelist/102351372.cms" target="_blank">Samsung introduces India to a TV with over ₹1 crore price tag</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a>

Tata Motors launches Punch iCNG, price starts at ₹7.1 lakh

New Delhi [India], November 29: The SUV segment is witnessing tremendous growth in India. Attractive designs, feature-loaded cabins, higher ground clearance for broken roads, and butch road presence are some of the reasons behind the surging popularity of SUVs. Mahindra &amp; Mahindra, with its strong SUV heritage, currently has three of the hottest-selling SUV models in its portfolio - the <keyword id="6871125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="xuv700" source="Orion">XUV700</keyword>, <keyword id="177599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thar" source="Orion">Thar</keyword>, and <keyword id="13987144" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scorpio-n" source="Orion">Scorpio N</keyword>. Owing to the high demand from customers, these vehicles command waiting periods ranging from 3 months to as long as 16 months! Mahindra XUV700: Up to 9 Months Waiting The XUV700, launched in 2021, is Mahindra's new flagship SUV. With its aggressive styling, premium interiors, potent engine options and generous features, the XUV700 has struck a chord with Indian SUV buyers. Pricing &amp; Positioning The XUV700 is a midsize SUV priced from Rs 14.03 lakhs to Rs 26.57 lakhs (ex-showroom). It competes primarily with 5/7-seater SUVs like Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar and Skoda Kodiaq. Design &amp; Engineering The XUV700 has a bold and muscular exterior profile accentuated by the sleek LED headlamps integrated with the grille. The interior follows a black and beige dual-tone theme with soft-touch materials and premium finishes. Underpinning the SUV is a monocoque chassis made using high-tensile steel for rigidity and safety. Variants &amp; Colour Options It is offered in 2 broad trims - MX and AdrenoX (AX), comprising AX3, AX5 and AX7 variants. Colour options include Everest White, Midnight Black, Dazzling Silver, Red Rage and Electric Blue. Engine, Transmission &amp; Mileage The XUV700 lets buyers choose between two powerful engine options - a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-liter diesel motor. The petrol engine churns out 200 horsepower while the oil burner produces 185 horses. Both engines come mated to 6-speed manual as well as automatic transmissions. The top-end AX7 diesel variant also offers an optional all-wheel drive system for enhanced grip and control. In terms of fuel efficiency, the official ARAI testing claims the XUV700 delivers anywhere between 16-20 km/litre, depending on the exact variant you pick. Interior, Comfort &amp; Safety Features The XUV700's cabin offers an expansive space and a long list of features. It gets a large 10.25-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, 7-inch digital driver display, connected car features, 6-way powered driver seat, dual-zone climate control, 12-speaker Sony sound system and more. Safety is comprehensively addressed with up to 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill-hold control, tyre pressure monitoring system and ADAS tech. The ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-view monitoring and more. Why is it in High Demand? The XUV700 strikes an excellent balance between features, performance and price. The SUV looks ultra-modern, offers a premium connected car experience at par with cars from higher segments, provides spirited performance, and focuses on safety. Attractive pricing has sealed the deal for buyers as the XUV700 offers terrific value. Mahindra Thar: 15-16 Months Waiting Period The new 2nd generation Thar went on sale in 2020. With its iconic retro design, unrivalled off-roadability and modern creature comforts, the SUV has become a hot seller, with waiting times extending to 15-16 months. Pricing &amp; Positioning The new Thar is priced from Rs 10.98 lakhs to Rs 16.94 lakhs (ex-showroom). It fills the slot of an affordable compact off-road SUV, similar to Force Gurkha. Design &amp; Engineering The new Thar carries forward the charm of the original Thar with its boxy profile, round headlamps and removable doors/roof. The interiors now get a major upgrade with touchscreen infotainment, steering-mounted controls, rear parking sensors, remote key and more. It retains rugged mechanics like a 4WD drivetrain, mechanical locking differentials, low-range gearbox and high ground clearance. Variants, Colors &amp; Seating Options It is offered in AX(O) and LX variants with a choice of 6 colours and a 4-seater configuration. Engine, Transmission &amp; Mileage Engine options include - 1.5L diesel, 2.0L turbo petrol and 2.2L diesel. Gearbox choices for these motors are 6-speed manual and automatic. ARAI mileage ranges from 15-18 km/l. Interior, Comfort &amp; Safety Features The cabin now features a 7-inch touchscreen, power windows, remote keyless entry, rear parking sensors, tilt adjustable steering and more. Safety is taken care of by dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminders and more. Why is it Popular? The Thar blends iconic design, excellent off-road hardware, and modern comfort &amp; convenience features. Its capabilities to conquer rough terrain are unparalleled in its price range. The new Thar offers a unique driving experience - open-air motoring with the wind in your hair! Mahindra Scorpio N: Up to 11 Months Waiting Period The "Big Daddy of SUVs," the all-new 3rd generation Scorpio N, is the latest addition to Mahindra's SUV portfolio. Launched in 2022, the SUV has received a strong response, with bookings exceeding 1 lakh units, resulting in waiting periods of up to 11 months. Pricing &amp; Positioning The Scorpio N is positioned as an affordable 7-seater midsize SUV with prices ranging from Rs 13.26 lakhs to Rs 24.54 lakhs (ex-showroom). It rivals the MG Hector, Tata Harrier and Kia Seltos. Design &amp; Engineering The Scorpio N sports a radical design overhaul inside and out. The sophisticated new styling is complemented by a high-quality cabin loaded with features. Underpinning it is an advanced new 3rd generation body-on-frame platform. Variants, Colors &amp; Seating Options It is sold in Z2, Z4, Z6 and Z8 variants. Dual-tone colour themes are available across variants. Choice of 6 or 7-seater layouts. Engine, Transmission &amp; Mileage The Scorpio N lets you pick between two powertrain options - a 2.2-litre diesel engine and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor. The oil burner churns out 132 PS of peak power while the turbo-petrol generates a healthy 203 horses. Both these engines come mated to 6-speed manual as well as automatic gearbox options. So whether you prefer self-shifting or the convenience of an auto, the Scorpio N has got you covered. In terms of efficiency, Mahindra claims the SUV can deliver up to 18 km/l as per ARAI tests. Real-world mileage is likely to be in the 12-15 km/l ballpark, which is quite respectable for this class of vehicle. Interior, Comfort and Safety Features The feature-loaded cabin gets an 8-inch touchscreen, UVO-connected car tech, 12-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control, 6-way powered driver seat, panoramic sunroof and more. The safety kit consists of 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill descent control, rear parking camera, TPMS and more. Higher variants also add on ADAS tech. Why is it in demand? The Scorpio N impresses with its striking new design, premium interiors, powerful engine performance and extensive features. Generous space for seven adults, strong build quality, and Mahindra's trusted brand name further attract buyers. The Bottom Line Attractive pricing, modern designs and extensive feature lists make the XUV700, Thar and Scorpio N a hit among SUV buyers. As a result, customers are facing long waiting periods of 3 to 16 months, depending on the chosen model and variant. However, the lengthy wait is well worth it, considering the excellent package Mahindra has put together with these new-age SUVs. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Thar, Xuv700, Scorpio N are the Mahindra's highest waiting cars

Automobile major <keyword id="6357096" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mahindra-Mahindra">Mahindra &amp; Mahindra</keyword> has reported that bookings for 'All-New Thar' SUV has now crossed 15,000 bookings, since its launch on October 2, 2020. "Today 57 per cent of all buyers of the All-New Thar are first time car buyers and a significantly large share of all bookings are for the automatic variants," the company said in a statement on Monday. The all-new Thar will be available in two trims, namely "AX &amp; LX", with prices starting at Rs 9.80 lakh for AX series and Rs 12.49 lakh for LX series. It is powered by two all-new engines "the 2.0L mStallion TGDi" petrol engine, and "the 2.2L mHawk" Diesel engine. "These engines are offered with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed torque converter <keyword id="6747735" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="automatic-transmission">automatic transmission</keyword>, with an authentic 4x4 manual shift transfer case with a low ratio," the company had said on Oct 2nd. The deliveries of the SUV will commence from November 1, 2020. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/20-charts-explain-why-indian-americans-are-more-likely-to-vote-for-joe-biden-in-2020-us-presidential-election/slidelist/78717893.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">20 charts that explain why Indian Americans are more likely to vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 US Presidential Election</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-avenue-supermarts-jet-airways-ril-airtel-vodafone-idea-tata-communications-hdfc-bank-and-others/articleshow/78740639.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Top stocks to watch — Avenue Supermarts, Jet Airways, RIL, Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Tata Communications, HDFC Bank and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/pelosis-office-says-the-latest-coronavirus-stimulus-talk-with-mnuchin-had-encouraging-news-on-testing/articleshow/78734327.cms">Pelosi's office says the latest coronavirus stimulus talk with Mnuchin had 'encouraging news on testing'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-china-militaries-to-hold-eighth-round-of-talks-over-border-dispute/articleshow/78735795.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">India, China militaries to hold eighth round of talks over border dispute</a>

Mahindra Thar 2020 crosses 15,000 bookings — 57% are first time car buyers

<ul><li>Pranay <keyword id="1311230" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pathole" source="Orion">Pathole</keyword>, a 24-year-old IT professional from India met the world’s richest man in Tesla’s <keyword id="15710" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="texas" source="Orion">Texas</keyword> Gigafactory. </li><li><keyword id="364027" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="musk" source="Orion">Musk</keyword> and Pathole have been Twitter buds since 2018. </li><li>Post meet, Pathole describes Musk as “humble and down-to-earth person”. </li></ul>We all have a plethora of virtual friends, but is the world’s richest man on our list? It was a dream come true for Pranay Pathole, the 24-year-old IT professional from Pune, India, who on Monday tweeted about meeting his idol <keyword id="3853762" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="elon" source="Orion">Elon</keyword> Musk in Tesla’s Texas factory. Musk and Pathole have been friends since 2018, albeit on Twitter. These friends talk about multiplantery travel, aliens, <keyword id="47638" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mars" source="Orion">Mars</keyword>, electric cars and all things rocket science. On Monday, Pathole uploaded a picture capturing the moment he met his idol, Musk. Celebrating the occasion, Pathole <a href="https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1561591196178419712">tweeted</a>, “It was so great meeting you<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk"> @elonmusk</a> at the Gigafactory Texas. Never seen such a humble and down-to-earth person. You're an inspiration to the millions.” The camaraderie began in 2018 when Pathole, a second year-engineering student in Pune, tweeted to Elon Musk about issues with automatic window wipers in a Tesla car. Musk promptly replied saying he would attend to the issue. The two have since kept in touch, with Pathole amassing over 180k followers, thanks largely to the regular back and forth between them. Most recently, Pathole tweeted about being able to watch the surface of Mars, captured by Tesla’s Curiosity Rover. Replying to Pathole’s tweet, Elon Musk said, “We should bring life to Mars. Mars looks amazing.” Pathole’s post garnered 7.2 million views with over 26.7k retweets. The two Twitter pals have even swapped <a href="https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1554336735446073345">book</a> recommendations and have had other discussions on Twitter. On August 2, Pathole asked Elon if he had read Nick Bostrom’s paper “Astronomical Waste” and tweeted, “This essentially states that every second we delay expanding into space, we lose at least one hundred trillion potential human lives that could have lived.” Musk’s prompt response to his Indian twitter buddy –“That estimate seems high, but the point is valid.” Pathole’s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ppathole/?originalSubdomain=in">LinkedIn</a> profile says that he is a software developer for <keyword id="6357585" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-consultancy-services" source="Orion">Tata Consultancy Services</keyword> and is getting his Masters Degree from the <keyword id="159191" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="university-of-texas" source="Orion">University of Texas</keyword> in Dallas. In his GitHub profile, Pathole describes himself as a “machine learner” who is “nerding out about Space and rockets on Twitter''. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/upi-transactions-will-remain-free-government-says-it-has-no-plan-to-charge-them/articleshow/93702248.cms">UPI transactions will remain free, government says it has no plan to charge them</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/meet-indias-real-gully-boy-vidit-aatrey-of-meesho-is-taking-the-entrepreneurial-dream-deep-inside-bharat/articleshow/93702491.cms">Meet India’s Real Gully Boy: Vidit Aatrey of Meesho is taking the entrepreneurial dream deep inside Bharat</a>

Elon Musk meets Pranay Pathole, his 24-year-old Twitter friend from India

<ul><li>Market research reports say that July is going to see car sales continue to remain weak across all segments.</li><li>This also means that discounts per car are increasing heavily, Maruti Suzuki is leading the monthly discounts race. </li><li>Most car manufacturers saw their sales decline in the Q1 of FY20, also affecting their profits.</li></ul>Car sales have been slipping for the last eight months, and experts are predicting a tepid July month as well. As expected, manufacturers are rolling in discounts every month, to help push sales. Maruti Suzuki is leading the way with most ‘total cash discounts’ offered to consumers. While Alto models saw an 8% increase in discounts as compared to June, the Celerio Automatic and Dzire Diesel versions saw a steep increase of 23% and 27%. Weak sales to continue July isn’t going to bring in any cheer for carmakers who are hoping for good sales, according to a research report released by Emkay Global. “Volume performance is expected to remain weak across segments due to a high-base effect, increasing cost of vehicle ownership, monsoon deficit and financing issues,” the report said. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Expected YOY drop in Sales </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Maruti Suzuki </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">20.9% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">M&amp;M Auto </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">7.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Tata Motors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">12.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Hero Motocorp </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">11.7% </td></tr></tbody></table> The quarterly earnings reports of auto manufacturers also spell doom for the industry. India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki’s profits fell by 27.3%. It total sales for the first quarter of FY20 fell by 17.9% as compared to the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, <keyword id="42747" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Motors">Tata Motors</keyword>’ saw its cumulative income (Jaguar Land Rover included) dropped by 20%. And, the manufacturers are beginning to blame the government. “There is no demand and no private investment, so where will growth come from? It doesn’t fall from the heavens. The auto industry is going through a very difficult period. Cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers are going through a rough patch,” Rahul Bajaj, Chairman and MD of Bajaj Group said at his company’s annual general meeting. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/Narendra-Modi-has-a-new-problem-big-corporates-and-moneybags-are-angry/articleshow/70450878.cms">Narendra Modi has a new problem – big corporates and moneybags are angry</a>

Deep discounts fail as car sales are set to fall for the ninth straight month in July

<ul><li>A report by credit rating agency <keyword id="125045" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fitch-Ratings">Fitch ratings</keyword> says that the challenges are likely to persist for Indian <keyword id="144197" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="auto-manufacturing">auto manufacturing</keyword> companies. </li><li>As carmakers have to comply with <keyword id="2901172" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="BS-VI">BS VI</keyword> norms, it will result in increased production costs. </li><li>Auto sector has been undergoing a massive slowdown, with the first quarter results leaving top companies worried.</li></ul>The Indian auto industry has been witnessing one of its worst ever phases with sales slowing down for over 10 months now. But their troubles are far from over. There is more pain ahead in the form of new emission norms. Now, they also have to comply with BS-VI norms by March 2020. After this, the sale of older models will not be allowed, which is not good news for those holding onto huge inventory. It also means that the car companies have to invest in switching technologies. “The additional components and design changes will raise production costs by 10%-15%. This could squeeze automakers' profitability in FY21 if automakers are not able to fully pass on costs to buyers,” said a report by credit rating agency Fitch. Automakers are already on the backfoot and offering heavy discounts ranging from 8% to 27% depending on the model. Their ability to pass on increased costs seems to be bleak. <keyword id="44883" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maruti-Suzuki">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> is leading the way with most ‘total cash discounts’ offered to consumers. While Alto models saw an 8% increase in discounts as compared to June, the Celerio Automatic and Dzire Diesel versions saw a steep increase of 23% and 27%. Most auto manufacturers reported their worst sales report for the first quarter in a decade. Auto companies like <keyword id="42747" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Motors">Tata Motors</keyword>, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and Hero Motocorp, have all been cutting production to align with the tapering demand. And these woes will continue. “Subdued demand conditions that led to weak performance by Indian automakers in the first quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2020 (FY20) will likely persist, adding to the challenges from the implementation of stricter emission norms under BS6 from April 2020,” the report says. Maruti Suzuki’s profits fell by 27.3% for the first quarter. It sold 109,264 units in July 2019, registering a steep 33.5% fall in sales compared to the same month in the previous year. On a monthly basis, its July sales have fallen by 12.3% from its June. “My belief is that we are near the bottom of the downward cycle and the economy, and car sales should start to accelerate in the near future,” Marutii Suzuki’s chairman RC Bhargava <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/auto-industry-is-near-bottom-of-downward-cycle-maruti-suzuki-chairman-bhargava/article29267803.ece">said at the company’s annual general meeting.</a> Maruti Suzuki has also cut down on 3000 contractual jobs. Tata Motors’ sales in the domestic market dropped by 34% at 32,938 units compared to 50,100 units sold over last year as subdued demand continued in July 2019. The report said that the lowered sales was due to “the constrained liquidity at non-bank lenders reduced credit availability to buyers and the cost of ownership rose due to new regulations mandating enhanced vehicle insurance cover and additional safety features”.

Indian automakers are stuck between stricter emission laws and falling sales

I was in the 11th grade when <keyword id="8555" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata">Tata</keyword> Motors unveiled the <keyword id="28810" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nano">Nano</keyword> at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008. The ensuing PR blitz had me and my friends sold. This compact car was being sold for just ₹100,000 (around $2,500 at exchange rates at the time). It was a passion project of India’s foremost industrialist, Ratan Tata, so there was no way it was going to fail. Annual sales were expected to eventually breach the 500,000 mark. But the Nano was more than just a car. It symbolised India’s approach to frugal innovation, the ability to do more with less, the ability to scale things on the cheap. It symbolised the social mobility promised by the future. Millions of Indian families - the kind that squeezed onto motorbikes for short trips- would now be able to own a car without having to worry about long drawn-out financing plans. It was going to be a gamechanger. And now, ten years later, there are barely any Nanos to be seen on Indian roads. The cheap car has proven to be a very costly failure for its manufacturer, sounding the death knell for Tata’s domestic passenger vehicle business. In June 2018, only one unit was produced by Tata Motors, while only three were sold. No units were exported. How could things go so wrong? The first problem was cost escalations and production delays. The Nano ended up being manufactured at a higher cost than expected, owing to the higher input costs and the need for additional features, but Tata Motors had no choice to sell it at the price that they promised. That was, after all, the USP of the car - that it was only ₹100,000. The car’s large-scale rollout also ended up being pushed back by a year to March 2009 due to production delays, which tempered enthusiasm. Production had to be shifted from the company’s Singur plant in West Bengal to Uttarakhand and Gujarat due to farmer protests over land acquisition. Even with the car’s national launch being delayed, the final product looked like it had been rushed. There were numerous instances of Nano models catching fire in the initial months. The second problem was branding. Tata Motors completely misread the market. <keyword id="20632" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cars">Cars</keyword> were meant to be aspirational products, not just utilitarian. In a country like India, where status signifiers are ubiquitous, buying the “cheapest car” was a dead giveaway that you couldn’t do better. Calling it as such made it seem like it had the bare minimum of features and was less safe to drive than higher-priced hatchbacks. The “1 lakh car” thus became perceived as the “poor man’s car”.There was definitely a strong level of demand for it, but only a fraction of the people who needed such a cost-effective car were ready to purchase it. The car was relaunched as the ₹199,000 “GenX Nano” in 2015, equipped with automatic transmission and Bluetooth connectivity, but the damage was already done by then. The third problem was the lack of a coherent distribution strategy. The Nano would have been a strong-seller in small towns and rural markets, but Tata Motors lacked a solid dealership network in these far flung areas. As sales declined considerably a year after the car’s launch, reaching a low of 550 units in December 2010, Tata Motors even took to selling the car in hypermarket outlets like Big Bazaar and exporting it to neighbouring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka. The strategy never paid off. The end of the road As things stand, the Nano could go out of production very soon, as its parent looks to axe ageing models. Tata Motors has maintained that it is yet to take a decision on the matter, but the continued investment, especially to comply with future emissions norms, simply does not justify the returns. A statement from Tata Motors clarified this by explaining that “the Nano in its present form cannot continue beyond 2019”. It has been suggested that the car is still in production only due to Ratan Tata’s emotional connection to it, which is hardly a reason to keep going. Even though the Nano brand could be facing the axe, there has been speculation that it will get a further lease of life through Tata Motors’ deal with Jayem Automotives. Under a proposed partnership, Jayem is set to use the body of the Nano to make a special electric vehicle, which will be branded the Jayem Neo EV. However, a spokesperson for Tata Motors said that this was merely speculation. It looks to be a sad end for the “people’s car”, a product that promised so much. However, its phasing out should give way to smarter product choices from the company as it looks to regain market share at home.

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Tata Motors launches Punch iCNG, price starts at ₹7.1 lakh

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Thar, Xuv700, Scorpio N are the Mahindra's highest waiting cars

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Mahindra Thar 2020 crosses 15,000 bookings — 57% are first time car buyers

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Elon Musk meets Pranay Pathole, his 24-year-old Twitter friend from India

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Deep discounts fail as car sales are set to fall for the ninth straight month in July

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Indian automakers are stuck between stricter emission laws and falling sales

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Ten years later, the world’s cheapest car may go out with a whimper

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