Bajaj announces rival for Tata Nano
A joint venture between Indian motorcycle giant Bajaj and Nissan Renault heralds a tiny, low cost rival to Tata's 'people's car'Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj has fleshed out industry rumours that Nissan Renault were in the market for a tiny cheapie competitor to Tata's recently announced Nano.
The company stole a march on Tata by pulling the covers off its ULC (it stands for Ultra Low Cost) vehicle a day before Tata revealed its much more noisily heralded baby. With Nissan/Renault backing, the ULC will be produced at Bajaj's new factory in the Indian city of Chakan. The companies project a build of about 400,000 units a year.
The press announcements are claiming the ULC will be the most fuel efficient car in the world, with a projected price tag of US$2550 (AUS$3500).
CEO Rajiv Bajaj told Indian television that the aim was not simply to come up with the cheapest car. Rather, he said, "[we] are after a little car that will raise the benchmark as far as fuel economy and emission standards are concerned." No prototype has emerged as yet, and no technical specifications are available beyond claims of target fuel consumption figure of 30 km/l (3.3L/100km) and CO2 emissions "well below 100g/km".
While Bajaj was first to reveal its product, the home market belongs to Tata for some time to come. With the Nano already on sale, albeit hampered by production limitations until late 2010 when the company's new Gujarat factory opens, the earliest Indians will see the ULC will be early 2011.
It will subsequently go on sale in other countries rebadged as a Renault or a Nissan.
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