Tata's INR 1 lac/ USD 2500 car - 'nano' a pre-launch analysis

While the world awaits Tata's small car, millions of people, particularly in India are waiting anxiously to own one. I know a handful of colleagues thinking about buying a car or a second car for a while now and I could potentially be a buyer of a car in such a price segment. But hang on, hang on. While mobility (with comfort) is most welcome, what else should this little car bring in? Here is an imaginative list;

• Multi-level parking lots (lots and lots)
• Traffic constables for every lane(people who have suicidal tendencies would be the ideal candidates)
• Service centers capable of changing tyres, oil etc at F1 speeds
• Cool Drivers!! (people who hold high stakes in PATN (patience) company)

Titbit: Vehicles in India are distributed somewhat unevenly. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore have 5 per cent of India's population but 14 per cent of its registered vehicles, not to mention millions that are unregistered. -
source: http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/dec/20forbes.htm

BTW if you didn't figure out yet, we are not going to get them all here, at least, not in the immediate future. So how can you reduce Pachauri's nightmares?

Here are some tips:

1. Buy the Tata small car, if it delivers on it fuel efficiency promise, replace your old maruties, fiats and not to mention your Premier padminis
2. If budget is not an issue, consider other options like the Reva - is not only emissionless but also cost effective
3. Consider parking issues both at your residence, office as well as your city in general
4. Calculate the total cost of ownership of a car and not just the initial investment as fuel prices skyrocket

While all said, like any other thing, adopting greener vehicles would be market driven and regulators have indicated that they would not launch disincentives against Tata's cars, we can only hope or dream like me that one day buying a Reva would get you Carbon credits that you can later en cash :)