DWS Auto India

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.

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.

I am sure there is business sense for both State Bank of India (SBI) and Tata Motors in this alliance. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Tata Motors has launched three new variants of its popular Indigo CS sedan. Two of the new models the - Indigo CS LX TDi and LX DiCOR - are diesel, while the Indigo CS GLX is petrol.

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.

  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.

Hopping on to the e-car bandwagon, India’s own Tata Motors has brought out two electric vehicles.