Tata Nano set for Latin America launch

Tata Motors and Fiat are reportedly in talks to jointly launch the Tata Nano in Latin America as part of its global roll-out plan for the small car. Tata group chairman Ratan Tata and an independent director of Fiat said in an interview to the Italian news paper La stampa that both the companies have agreed to sell the Mini and the Tata Nano in South America.

Tata Motors plans to leverage Fiat’s marketing network in Latin America and expects the Tata Nano to do well in emerging markets like Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela.

There is no word on the price of the Tata Nano in the Latin American markets.

Reports say that Tata is likely to roll out the Tata Nano from Fiat’s  Corbdoba plant in Argentina.

Tata Motors and Fiat India had entered into an MoU to manufacture engines, transmissions, and passenger cars at the Corbdoba plant. In 2008, Tata Motors announced the production of pickup trucks at the Corbdoba plant.

Tata Motors plans to launch the Tata Nano Europa, a model designed to meet European specifications, by 2011. Recently, the Tata Nano passed the 40 per cent offset crash test, at 56 kmph, and side-impact tests in Birmingham, UK.

Earlier, Tata had said that it would look to launch the Tata Nano in the US after the launch of the Tata Nano Europa in Europe. Reports say that in the US too, it will leverage Fiat’s marketing and sales network.

Tata Motors will launch the Tata Nano in Nigeria by 2011.

Tata and Fiat are also in talks to launch the Iveco, Ferrari and Maserati in India.

The first Tata Nanos were delivered to customers in India, on July 25, 2009. Tata Motors will complete the delivery of the first 1 lakh Tata Nanos by end 2010.