The much delayed and much awaited Tata Nano is ready to hit the dealer networks by February 2009 end. Both the “base” model and the “fully loaded” model will be available at the dealer showrooms mid-to late February.
The Indian auto giant Tata Motors plans to throw additional $435 million for the production of Tata Nano to nail down the production timeline. With production slated to begin in February, it means that Tata Motors will be doubling its investments for the project. The company is strongly supported by the government which is letting it buy the land in eight yearly installments, beginning after the production starts.
According to the new schedule, Tata Motors expects the existing plants to produce 7000 vehicles by the end of March. The production is expected to be scaled up to 80,000 over the next year. If the new factory opens as scheduled in the first quarter of the 2010-2011 fiscal year, Tata said it will reach its original full-scale annual production target of 150,000 Nanos.
The car was originally planned to be launched in October 2008 but was delayed due to the protests in West Bengal. Production at the original plant was disrupted due to violent protests by the farmers and the company eventually shifted its based to Sanand in Gujarat.
