Everyone in the office is talking about ....
India's Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled its much anticipated US$2 500 (R17 000) car, an ultracheap price tag that suddenly brings car ownership into the reach of tens of millions of people across the world.
While the price has created a buzz, critics say the vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will lead to millions more cars hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems. Others have said Tata will have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.
Company Chairperson Ratan Tata has said the car will be the least polluting car on the Indian roads and meet necessary safety standards.
He argues that the car would be better and far safer than most motorcycles on India's roads.
Chief UN climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, said last month that "I am having nightmares" about the prospect of the low-cost car.
While introducing the car at an auto show in New Delhi, Tata said the Nano had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles per gallon.
"Dr. Pachauri need not have nightmares," Tata said.
Dealers will sell the car for 100,000 rupees - converting to R 17 448 -, but customers will pay slightly more than that due to taxes and other charges.
The four-door five-seater car has a small 33bhp 624cc engine at the rear and is due to hit the market later this year.
The Tata Nano - which looks almost exactly like a Smart - has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering for the basic model, although two deluxe models will be on offer.
But Ratan Tata compared the launch of the car as a landmark in the history of transportation like the first powered flight by the Wright brothers and the first lunar landing.
He said he wanted to make "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all" and "a car that most people said could not be manufactured at that price". AFP
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