Tata to buy Smart forFour?

GeekSrik · 19th May 2006, 12:20

Hi all,

Check this article. Tata seems to be in fray for major things of late. This might mean two things, either they want to progress inorganically through acquisitions, or just that they lack enough prowess to upgrade technology through their own knowledge!

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/1537877.cms

Srik

sumitkalindi · 19th May 2006, 12:36

Whatever, if this thing does happen, TATA one lakh car maybe closely based on SMART. Good for the end users

Steeroid · 19th May 2006, 13:18

The deal would make sense, as Ratan Tata's vision for the 1-lakh car had a lot in common with the Smart concept - small rear mounted motor, composite materials and the ability to ship the car as SKD to be assembled by local centres.

Why reinvent the wheel when there's one for sale? Obviously they can make the wheel a whole lot cheaper than DC's French plant, too.

Seeing Tata's penchant for Turbos, should one expect a turbo-ed ACE engine powering this contraption? 30-odd bhp, light composite structure - its beginning to make sense.

RedOne · 19th May 2006, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

The deal would make sense, as Ratan Tata's vision for the 1-lakh car had a lot in common with the Smart concept

Mr Tata was on TV addressing a press conference in Bengal. He was there to start a factory which will produce the 1 lakh car. All he would say on the car was it will have 4 doors and rear mounted engine and it would be ready by 2008.

Gears,
Red-One.

directinjection · 19th May 2006, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedOne

Mr Tata was on TV addressing a press conference in Bengal. He was there to start a factory which will produce the 1 lakh car. All he would say on the car was it will have 4 doors and rear mounted engine and it would be ready by 2008.

Gears,
Red-One.

He also mentioned that the car would be available in both petrol and diesel versions (just like he used to say about the Indica when the car was at prototype stage) and therefore it is quite probable that they'll be using the 700 CC Ace engine. Earlier indications were that they will only have a petrol engine whose manufacturing was to be outsourced (they negotiated with Hero Motors in this regard).

19th May 2006, 12:20	#1
GeekSrik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,281 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	Tata to buy Smart forFour? Hi all, Check this article. Tata seems to be in fray for major things of late. This might mean two things, either they want to progress inorganically through acquisitions, or just that they lack enough prowess to upgrade technology through their own knowledge! http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/1537877.cms Srik
	() Thanks

19th May 2006, 12:36	#2
sumitkalindi BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 376 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	Whatever, if this thing does happen, TATA one lakh car maybe closely based on SMART. Good for the end users
	() Thanks

19th May 2006, 13:18	#3
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	The deal would make sense, as Ratan Tata's vision for the 1-lakh car had a lot in common with the Smart concept - small rear mounted motor, composite materials and the ability to ship the car as SKD to be assembled by local centres. Why reinvent the wheel when there's one for sale? Obviously they can make the wheel a whole lot cheaper than DC's French plant, too. Seeing Tata's penchant for Turbos, should one expect a turbo-ed ACE engine powering this contraption? 30-odd bhp, light composite structure - its beginning to make sense.
	() Thanks