Size or safety: minicars spark national debate
Jaclyn Johnson
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: News
|
Simultaneously, the industrial American giants GM and Chrysler are fighting to keep their heads above water. Though many car dealerships are offering lower prices and better deals than seen in recent memory, car sales are still struggling to attract buyers. GM reported a net loss of $30.9 billion dollars in 2008, according to its Web site.
But what would happen to car sales, and the declining industry, if there were a car that could retail, brand new, at about $2,000? And what if it were also more fuel-efficient than most cars available in the United States?
One Indian-based company seems to have the answer.
By 2010, Tata Motors will introduce the Tata Nano into the American market, with a starting price of $2,200, according to the Car and Driver Web site.
"I would by (the Nano) because my scooter cost over $3,000," said Samantha Wempe, a senior mathematics major.
Other similarly tiny cars are already available. Well known as a European car, the Smart Fortwo, or Smartcar, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States because of the high gas mileage. The Toyota Scion iQ, the Honda Insight and the Mitsubishi I MiEV are also a part of the microcar division.
The Nano is a two-cylinder car that seats five people, and once available to the United States in 2010, it can be bought directly from the maker, according to their Web site, Tatamotors.com.
With a top speed of about 65 mph, the car can reach up to 55 mpg. An updated version with an air-compressed engine is expected to be released soon, according to Motorauthority.com. This technology, licensed by MDI Enterprises, suggests that the entire car could be fueled by cold, compressed air, according to the Web site.
"They look dumb, but if you're all for the environment, they're great," said Charlie Baker, a senior English major.
Though the company's name might not be easily recognizable, it is the same company that operates Jaguar, Land Rover and works with Fiat, an Italian company that also produces a fuel-efficient microcar, according to Tatamotors.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Carazoo.com
posted 4/24/09 @ 1:33 AM CST
Nice article. I Liked it. :-)
Post a Comment