Filed under: Etc., MPG, Green Daily, India, Tata
Opposition siege could start at Tata Nano plant today
I never thought I'd be typing in the words "nano factory siege" into Google, but now I have. On the drive home last night, I heard a staticky report on BBC Radio about some sort of siege, starting today, at the plant that is supposed produce the world's
Apparently, because Tata Motors is one of the biggest companies in India, the opposition party in West Bengal - where the plant is located - is protesting the a move by the governing communist party. The point of contention is (I think) the thousand acres that the state seized for the factory's expansion. Tata chief Ratan Tata is threatening to move the production facility to another state if things don't calm down - and other states are saying they're more than happy to welcome him. We'll keep an eye on this, as the Nano promises to be a game-shifting vehicle wherever it is built.
Gallery: Tata Nano: The People's Car
[Source: BBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Efried 8:48AM (8/24/2008)
Why would we need the Nano in Europe?
I guess it would make more sense to revamp the existing Microcar industry (mostly existing in France and Italy).
The frequent microcar bashing is ridiculous. Airbags and adequate safety cells and clean power trains should bring forward the commuter car of tomorrow.
Legislation should be very strict demanding more energy absorption from Vans and SUVs to allow for a fair chance for lighter vehicles!
May be we will have some start-up in Bulgaria producing affordable socially acceptable vehicles!
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ryan 9:08AM (8/24/2008)
"the world's smallest car"
Perhaps you meant to say "the world's cheapest car," as there are many cars smaller than the Nano.
I personally am holding judgment on the whole deal until they start actually shipping the things.
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Sean 2:38PM (8/25/2008)
The Nano is a poor excuse for transportation being little more than a soup can with wheels. And a polluting soup can at that. Why not keep building Fiat 500's?
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Abhi 1:15PM (8/27/2008)
Nano is definately in troubled waters from the start. It took years for Tata to unveil the cheapest car, and now finally when it had started production, the factory site is in question. But other states in India are more than happy to welcome Tata into their states. For this they have been making quite attractive offers to Tata. http://utvi.myrecourl.com will keep updating more on the same topic.
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