Tata Nano car to have more power, variants: Ratan Tata

Geneva, Mar 6 (PTI) India Tata Group head Ratan Tata today said he has set higher ambitions for the Nano car which will be available in more variants, including diesel and electric versions. Nano which has a 624 cc petrol engine will also be upgraded in power, he said. "We will definitely come out with various variants of the Nano. One day there will be a higher engine, a diesel engine and an electric vehicle variant (of the Nano)," Tata told PTI at the Geneva Motor show. He, however, did not share details on timeline of the proposed launches. Earlier this year, Tata had admitted that Tata Motors had not been able to market Nano well and would try to undo the perception that it is a poorman's car, which has a starting price of Rupees 140,000 (nearly USD 2,900). "We will see a resurrection of this product as we move forward," he had said. Presently, Tata Motors is selling about 9,000 Nano units per month, much below the production capacity. Launched in 2009, there were high expectations from the small car, since it was projected as Ratan Tata's dream project. But, as the novelty value wore off, sales tapered. Ratan Tata termed the car's marketing performance as an "opportunity wasted". However, new models in vibrant colours like rouge red, champagne gold, papaya orange, aqua blue and mojito green have recently been launched targeting youth. The initial response seems to be good. PTI