Tata selling Singur in Geneva

S. Muralidhar
Business Line

Geneva March 6 - After months of speculation about its form and feasibility, some details about the specifications of the proposed Rs 1-lakh car from Tata Motors is finally out.

The car, which is expected to be the world's cheapest, will be a four-door, four to five seater car that will sport a modern, monoform design. The car will feature a 600cc petrol engine, possibly India's first, that will also be rear mounted for improved practicality and easy driveability.

Dream Project

Instead of the much speculated plastic body panels and curtained windows, the car will feature metal body panels and glass windows that can be cranked up like in regular small cars.

The Rs 1-lakh car will be launched by mid-2008 and while it will debut with a stripped down, base variant, it will also be launched later with higher trim variants that could sport features such as power steering, power windows and air-conditioning.

Tata Motors' improving confidence with the small car project was reflected in Mr Ratan Tata's emphasis on giving his dream project the profile and the mechanicals of any other small car available in India, with the one exception of the price being Rs 1-lakh at least at the ex-factory level.

Safety Standards

Speaking to select media here at the Geneva Motor Show 2007, Mr Tata said that the car will have no import content and will meet international safety (in terms of crash safety) and emission standards. He said that the car's price is still dependent on many factors, including the possibility of some incentives from the Government. But, in addition, it also depends on the fluctuations of components prices based on global commodity price swings.

The prices of some of the materials and parts like steel and tyres have gone up and may affect pricing, Mr Tata said. Mr Tata felt that the Rs 1-lakh car will put Tata Motors in a different dimension, based on its ability to offer affordable personal transport to millions of Indians, who are totally dependent on two-wheelers for their families' mobility needs.

Other Markets

He also mentioned that the company is considering taking this small car to other markets and countries in Asia, which have similar problems with space and affordability. However, the company is likely to focus first on the domestic market requirements before considering exports.
Confirming that the company is also working on a few applications for the public transportation segment, Mr Tata said that a new passenger carrier on the Tata Ace platform would be introduced soon. The vehicle is expected to be a small public passenger carrier that will be size of a small van.