Already making headlines for offering what is dubbed the world’s cheapest car, now car manufacturer Tata is planning to make in-roads into the electric car sector.
Chairman Ratan Tata, speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, said that in the next financial year he expected an electric car to be launched in the Norwegian market – it would then be launched in other markets during the following year.
He said: “We have been working with a company in France. It will be completely free of pollution. It is a technology which could have some promise. It may happen. It may not happen. We will be looking at hybrid vehicles. We are looking at how we can enter in the area of bio fuel. We have launched a project in that area.”
The company is also working on an eco-car project in Thailand. Tata described it as a much more fuel efficient version of the Nano, even though the Nano itself can claim 23 miles to the litre. Tata stated that the Nano will produce 12 per cent less pollution than even two-wheel vehicles.
He is also confident that the Nano will not be responsible for India’s growing congestion problems.
“India sold 1.2 million cars last year while China sold eight million cars. Already there are 14.5 million cars and 80 million scooters on the road. No one can really argue that we are creating congestion,” he said.
“We need more roadways to reduce congestion. China produces 90,000km roadways but we produce just 36,000km roadways. I don’t think it is fair to blame the Nano for congestion.”
Despite increasing raw material costs, crude oil prices and inflation, Tata remains confident that the company can go forward.
“All are looking at the automotive industry slowing down. We are confident that we can survive the situation,” he said.
