[anmol2k4]

Image: Ashok Vichare, with his family, being handed over the keys to the first Tata Nano by Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata
Mumbai man gets first Tata Nano


Ashok Raghunath Vichare of Mumbai [ Images ] has become the first person to get the Tata Nano [ Images ].

Vichare received his choice, the Tata Nano LX (Lunar Silver), at the hands of the Tata Group chairman Ratan N Tata at the company's dealership, Concorde Motors, on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Tata said, "I hope the Tata Nano will bring motoring pleasure to those who will be buying their first car as also those who currently own cars but want a modern, contemporary, emission-friendly city car."

Along with Vichare, two other customers -- Ashish Balakrishnan (Tata Nano LX -- Sunshine Yellow) and Kores India Ltd (Tata Nano LX -- Lunar Silver), also received their cars on Friday.

As planned, Tata Motors [ Get Quote ] has commenced deliveries of the Tata Nano this month to different towns and cities of the country. Despatches to dealerships have begun from the Pantnagar plant, where the car is being produced, in accordance with schedules informed to customers.

Tata Motors is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs 70,938.85 crore ($14 billion) in 2008-09.
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Lets go back to 2003 :-

Rs 1 lakh Tata car a distant dream: experts


Hyundai doubts Tatas Rs 1 lakh car


And finally the Quote by Osamu Suzuki :-

Sticking to the strategy exhibited of late by rivals of Tata Motors, Suzuki Motor Co Chairman Osamu Suzuki today raised questions over the safety and the suitability to the environment of Ratan Tata’s Rs 1 lakh car which is to roll out in September next year.*

Asked about Maruti Suzuki’s preparedness to face the competition from Tata’s small car, Suzuki said, “We don’t know the details about the $3000. Is it the part cost? Is it the retail cost? We don’t know about the safety norms, carbon dioxide or environmental performance of this car. Does it include air bags?”

Until these things were clear, he said, it was difficult to comment on how Maruti would deal with the competition from the new car.

Suzuki expressed similar sentiments at an industry event earlier in the day today. “In case there is sacrifice on safety and emission norms, the manufacturer does not truly shoulder the responsibility of an auto manufacturer.”

In a swift reaction to Suzuki’s comments, the Press Trust of India quoted a Tata Motors spokesperson as saying that the company was conscious of its responsibilities.

“As an auto manufacturer for over 60 years, Tata Motors is conscious of its responsibilities, and all its vehicles have met all the norms and regulations of the countries where they are marketed,” the spokesperson said.

[jkdas]

I thought the first car was to be given to an old lady.

[anachronix]

Wow! A real indian dream gets real

Way to go Tata! Wishing Tata a great time ahead!

[StarVegabond]

Ratan Tata = India's own Henry FORD

[jkdas]

Tata Nano lands in Hyderabad Rediff Money

Hyd guys; be prepared to see more Nanos

[pmbabu]

What a great moment for the family too! To be part of of a great event in our history!!

[14000rpm]

kudos to TATA for getting it on the road. I hope some t-bhpians get their delivery and quick at that. can't wait for a report.
@mods, any hope of seeing a TD soon?

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by jkdas

I thought the first car was to be given to an old lady.

I think she was supposed to get the first Nano in Baroda. She gave up her Fiat after over 50 years for it. I got the Fiat

[profold]

Kudos & salutes to Tata Motors. Congrats to the new owners.
Hope the car quality and the after sales support do not disappoint the users.
It needs a lot of enterprising spirit to opt for an yet untried (by public at large) car. So due salutes to the first batch of "test pilots" as well.
I wonder to how many of the first batch of owners Nano would be the first two wheelers.
How soon would one of the BHPian get a copy of the owners manual and give us some highlights?
Eagerly awaiting reports from the BHPians

[jassi]

i am eager to see a TD report :-)

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by anmol2k4

Ashok Vichare, with his family, being handed over the keys to the first Tata Nano by Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata
And finally the Quote by Osamu Suzuki :-

Well congrats to Ashok Vichare!

Suzuki is asking about air bags.
Why? Does the M800 have them ? Are you going to provide it with airbags ? Grapes are sure gone sour here.

[AbhiJ]

A great day for the Indian Automobile Industry.

Congratulations to Tata Motors for the mammoth achievement.

[Auto freak]

Wow! This is history in the making!
kudos to Tata!

[chncar]

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Well congrats to Ashok Vichare!

Suzuki is asking about air bags.
Why? Does the M800 have them ? Are you going to provide it with airbags ? Grapes are sure gone sour here.

Why only M800, does the base model of SX4 have Airbags?

[anmol2k4]

You know what is even more ironical about Osamu Suzuki's statement, the fact that today Maruti 800 have been discontinued in metros due to its failure to comply with environmental norms.

Same norms that lakh takiya easily complies with.