As we near the launch of the Tata Nano…

Here is a recap of our coverage of the Tata Nano since God knows when.

In fact, we started talking out the Tata Nano when Ratan announced his plans for an utra cheap small car. We made fun of it, raised questions, talked optimistically, reported rumours… made a royal hash of everything. And once the car was launched, we went ga-ga like everybody else in the world, talking about the car in superlatives.

Again we switched to talking about rumours, reported delays, the Singur inbroglio, shift to Sanand in Gujarat, and now on to financing the Nano.

Here is a chronological look at all our Tata Nano stories. If you find some of them rubbish, do forgive. Raking up the past is not good for anyone, least of all auto sites. Hindsight makes us all look silly indeed.

Here’s wishing all the best to the Tata Nano.

Tata Nano – The little car that might change the world
10 January, 2008
The ultra-secret people’s car for India – the Tata Nano – is here. How will this car change the way India, and the developing countries drive?

Tata Nano – Reactions from our readers
10 January, 2008

Tata Nano Deluxe
The Tata Nano Deluxe version would have body colored bumpers, air conditioning but still no power steering. Undoubtedly, the Deluxe version looks much better than the standard version of the Nano

Tata Nano Interior Photo gallery
10 January, 2008
You have seen the exterior of the Tata Nano – now see the interior.

Tata Nano a success at Auto Expo
12 January, 2008
Tata Motors has rolled out the cheapest car as promised. Ratan Tata unveiled the Rs 1 lakh Nano as India celebrated the arrival of the common man’s car at the Auto Expo venue.

Here’s looking at ya, Nano!
22 January, 2008
Yes, last week was special. Jan 10, 2008 was special. And at the end of the day, I do not care what the Pachauris and Narains have to say.

Nano finance options to be offered by Tata Motors
27 January, 2008
Tata Motors is weighing options on extending loans for the Tata Nano through its subsidiary company Tata Motors Finance. It may also seek the aid of its existing financing channels to make this possible.

Tata Nano Africa launch planned
15 April, 2008
Tata Motors plans to launch the Tata Nano in Africa and beef up SKD operations in Kenya.

Tata Nano: Cuba calling
Monday, June 23, 2008
Even as the Tata Motors is racing to keep the September deadline for the launch of the Nano, the far-away communist Cuba has started its wait for the people’s car from India.

Tata Nano launch in October 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tata Motors will roll out the much anticipated Nano – dubbed the world’s cheapest car – by October 2008.

Tata Nano variants to deal with high fuel price challenges
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Even as the Tata Motors is busy just ahead of the roll out of the so-called people’s car Tata Nano, sky-rocketing fuel prices seem to be forcing the Indian automobile giant to look at options that would negate the impact of the price rise.

Tata Motors sets 2 week deadline for Singur solution
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Economic Times is reporting that Tata Motors has set a two-week deadline for a solution to the Singur problem.

Tata Nano initial production may be from Pantnagar plant
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Singur stalemate may force Tata to move production of its Tata Nano to its Pantnagar plant in Uttaranchal. Even as Orissa, Maharashtra, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh jostle to get Tata Motors to manufacture the Tata Nano in their states, Uttaranchal has the best chance because of the existing Tata plant in Pantnagar.

Tata Nano plans see distribution being strengthened
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Soon after Ratan Tata went on record that he was optimistic about the Nano launch and prduction, Tata Motors is going all out to strengthen its distribution channels so that the people’s car would be a success.

Tata Nano on the road – is the engine a bit stressed?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A few people who have seen the Tata Nano on the road, at speeds of around 6-70 kmph, have said that they thought the engine sounded too stressed. Too noisy

Diesel Tata Nano launch in 2009 July likely
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tata Motors officially has not announced a date for the launch of the diesel Tata Nano, but suppliers indicate that it would be launched around nine months after the launch of the Tata Nano petrol in October.

Tata Nano goes to Sanand, Gujarat
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
West Bengal’s loss is Gujarat’s gain. It was announced yesterday that the Tata Nano project for the Nano ultra-cheap car would move to Sanand, Gujarat. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has rolled out the red carpet for the people’s car.

How Tata Nano project will benefit Gujarat
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Tatas’ decision to move the Tata Nano project to Gujarat has led to much cheer in the state. No doubt, the project is bound to benefit Gujarat in many tangible and intangible ways.

Tata Nano soft launch in 2008 December
Friday, October 17 2008
The Hindu newspaper is reporting that Tata Nano would have a soft-launch by 2008-end, followed by a full-scale launch in the the beginning of 2009. The soft launch would see some 2000-3000 Nano cars being launched.

Tata Nano loan exclusively from SBI
Friday, October 17, 2008
For those who don’t know about it yet, Tata Nano can be bought on loan only from SBI. Tata Motors has got into an exclusive deal with SBI for this.

Tata Nano automatic in 2009: Rumour
Sunday, October 19, 2008
There will be a few Tata Nano units produced by 2008-end as part of a soft launch, and full scale production would start in the first quarter of 2009. But once things get moving, there is more interesting stuff coming up from Tata Motors.

Tata Nano launch to be delayed further
Sunday, October 26 2008
Tata Nano’s launch is likely to be delayed further. Post-Singur, Tata Motors had hoped to roll out the first Nano by November 2008 albeit as a soft launch.

Tata Nano test drive, road tests and much speculation
Friday, January 2, 2009
In a rare first, the Tata Nano made itself visible to a group of people residing in the hilly town of Gopeshwar in Chameli district. Residents of Gopeshwar got a rare glimpse of the Rs 1 lakh Tata Nano car parked on a roadside.

Tata Nano launch by March-end
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Rs 1 lakh Nano, the much anticipated people’s car from Tata Motors, is expected to be launched in dealerships by end of March this year.