Geneva 2011: Tata Pixel, a Four-Seater City Car Concept for Europe

Tata, the Indian maker of the Nano, made its way to Geneva with a new concept city car called the Pixel. At just over three meters in lengths, Tata claims the Pixel is "the most package efficient four-seater in the world," being able to "comfortably accommodate four adults".

The design of the car is very similar to that of the Pininfarina Nido, but there's no official mention of the two companies collaborating on the Pixel project. The highlight of the Tata city car concept is the Zero Turn system, which enables maneuvering and parking in tight spaces. An Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards during low-speed maneuvers, with the result being a turning circle radius of just 2.6 meters.

For the same reason of limited parking space, the Pixel's doors open upwards, a feature present on the Pininfarina Nido as well. Another intelligent system used by the Pixel is called �My Tata Connect�, through which the driver can control key functions of the car using only his smartphone or tablet PC.

The Pixel is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, mounted in the rear, just like the Nido (although Tata doesn't mention if it's rear-wheel-drive as the Pininfarina car). The Indian car maker claims the Pixel returns an average fuel consumption of 3.4 liters/100 km (69 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km, thanks to the use of stop-start technology, low rolling-resistance tires and optimized aerodynamic drag.

Tata official said the concept could spawn a production model for Europe in the near future.

"Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuvrability and environment-friendliness," said ex-Opel boss and current CEO of Tata Motors. "The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors' idea of what such a car should be."

By Dan Mihalascu

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Tata Nano Sales Rose by 1,136% in December

In an effort to boost sales of its US$2,900 Nano micro car, India's Tata extended the warranty and offered easier financing in December, while it also launched a new advertising campaign that included a TV spot.

It turns out that this was a smart move, as sales of the Nano spiked reaching 5,784 units, which represents a 1,136% increase over the 509 units the company shifted a month earlier. This is still below the 9,000 monthly sales record achieved in July, but it seems that the Nano is back with a vengeance for 2011.

The warranty has been extended to four years or 60,000 km (37,282 miles) and clients can opt for a US$2 monthly maintenance option, which, coupled with the opening of new sales points and the upcoming nationwide distribution plan, should keep the momentum going.

�Tata Motors is now focusing on the Nano because its reputation is riding on it�, said Umesh Karne, a Mumbai-based analyst with BRICS Securities Ltd., who has a �buy� rating on the stock. �Measures such as easy financing and the maintenance offer have reassured customers�.

Last but not least, the Indian maker also promised to retrofit all Nanos with revamped exhaust and electrical systems in order to prevent more cars bursting into flames.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

VIDEO: Tata Tries to Boost Nano Sales with New Ad

As previously reported, Tata Nano sales in India have dropped significantly in the past few month, with just 509 customers opting for the US $2,900 micro car, down from 9,000 in July. It seems that Indian buyers have higher aspirations and are moving away from the Nano, as the nation�s market is booming. Reliability issues and a few spontaneously combusting units didn�t help sales either.

To mend the situation, the automaker has extended the car�s warranty and launched a new TV ad, depicting the Nano as the most lovable thing of Earth. Hit the jump to watch the commercial.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Youtube , Via: Indian Autos Blog

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India's Car Market Booming yet Customers Show Little Love for Tata Nano

Sometimes being cheap and cheerful just isn�t enough. Production delays, land debates and questions over occupant safety are killing the Tata Nano faster than an unexplained engine fire. India�s people car is struggling in spite of the nation�s booming car market and a low asking price of just US$2,900, half of what its nearest rival costs.

With economic growth at a staggering 9% per annum and a 22% year-to-date increase in car sales, Tata must have felt it was onto a sure thing. Things started out good, with 200,000 advanced orders for the sub-subcompact before its 2009 launch.

However, sales have been flagging these past four months with the Indian carmaker selling just 509 Nano�s in November, down from 9,000 in July.

India�s bestselling car is the US$6,200 Maruti Suzuki Alto. With a bigger engine, more spacious interior and longer track record than the Nano, many buyers prefer the Alto in spite the fact it costs more than twice as much. With 30,000 units sold in November, the numbers seems to agree. Even the US$7,800 Hyundai i10 is outselling Tata�s golden child.

Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, explains why the Nano is falling behind its more pricey competitors:

"The bottom of the pyramid continues to be where the action is. But the aspirations of people are moving up. People want to jump into something more substantial.�

At the time of its launch, the Nano was unavailable and dealerships and many customers were turned off by the inability to inspect / test drive the vehicle before placing an order.

It�s uncertain whether the Nano�s poor domestic sales will affect Tata�s move into foreign markets such as Europe and South America.

The four door, five seat Nano is the branchild of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata. His brief was for a car that cost just 100,000 rupees (US$2,200) and would appeal to those who previously could only afford a motorcycle.

However, the forced closure of one of Tata�s factories in West Bengal and the subsequent relocation caused delivery delays and the spontaneous combustion of several Nano�s in the past have dampened the Nano�s reputation.

Darius Lam, an analyst at J.D. Power & Associates, remarks on the latter:

�The company has just mishandled the whole thing. First, the company said it was no big deal. Then, it was just some foreign objects.�

Like many in the automotive community, Mr. Lam does not believe Tata has done enough to investigate the cause of the fires and reassuring the public that it�s been properly addressed.

To count the flagging sales, Tata is allowing buyers to take immediate delivery of their Nano from the showroom and opening new locations in smaller cities. The car�s warranty has been extended from 18 months to four years, while the company is stressing the Nano�s power and durability to assuage the public�s grievances.

A company insider has stated that Nano sales are back on the rise. Company spokesman Debasis Ray elaborates:

�As we began open sales, our learning was that, even though the Tata Nano is affordable for thousands of customers who do not own a car, it is still a significant decision to enter the four-wheeler category.�

It is believed that many of the Nano�s 71,000 owners are happy with their car, citing its performance, 41 mpg fuel economy and spacious interior as the main reasons for purchasing it other than the low price.

Even so, many analysts believe that unless the brand makes further strives to improve safety and public perception, the Nano will still lag behind its Korean and Japanese competitors in the Indian market.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: New York Times

Piaggio NT3 Concept targets the TATA Nano

At this week's 2010 Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA), Piaggio presented the NT3 Concept, a three-seater four-wheel mini that could become the TATA Nano's biggest competitor in emerging markets like India or Vietnam.

Despite its small size (it only measures 2.4 meters in length), the NT3 is a highly versatile vehicle, with multiple cabin configurations, also made possible by the center driving position. It uses a spaceframe architecture with crashbox, meaning that it's safer than it looks. Power comes from internal combustion engines or a hybrid powertrain.

The smallest one has a capacity of 200 cc and it was created with economy in mind. It is followed by a more powerful 300 cc variant and a hybrid, which combines the more potent conventional engine with an electric motor.

The two can work together and propel the NT3 to a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). In "electric only mode" the car's top speed is 30 km/h or 19 mph.

Piaggio says that the NT3 can do more than 30 km with 1 liter of fuel � 3.33 lt/100 km or 71 US mpg �, though it's not known with which engine. In any case, the Italian manufacturer promises low operating costs and emissions.

The Italian maker, best known for its Vespa scooters, said the NT3 could enter the market in the next three years, but hasn't made any final decisions yet.

By Csaba Daradics