The NYT Wheels blog has connected the dots between Fiat and Tata, and have concluded that the Nano could eventually be sold through Fiat at US Chrysler dealers. Tata and FIat have already discussed the possibility of selling the Nano in “markets where Fiat has already a strong presence.” Since the Nano is officially coming stateside in 2011, perhaps they decided that “where Chrysler has already a presence” is close enough. The Times mentions that Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne likes to talk about a Fiat budget brand, and suggests that Autobianchi might be a fun monikker to dust off. But why not just call it a Dodge or Chrysler? Since the 500 is going to be the only Fiat headed stateside, Tata’s volkswagen will either suit up in ChryCo colors or lock the dealer net into open competition with Roger Penske’s Wide World Of Cars. “Come on down folks! A car from every continent!” We now return you to the rescue of the American auto industry, already in progress.
An Indian design sold by an Italian maker and through the dealer network of a dead American company. They can call it the Dodge Podge.
The US needs a good laugh to raise our spirits. This car should do the trick.
Chrysler and Fiat:
A Merger of equally inferior products.
In late 2010 Americans looking for a cheap new car will face a difficult choice, $2500 a new 2011 Chrysler Nano, or $2500 for a “new” 2009 Chrysler Sebring.
It could work. It could be the new “K-car”. (With a different name- Plymouth.)
The way this are going in US, a $2500 new car will be the best an average Joe can afford in 2012. Nano arrives at best possible time in the yes-we-can-world.
@”scarey” —
Calling it a Plymouth was my first thought, too.
The world’s fastest golf cart is coming to America.
Slap the Chrysler badge and call it a “luxurious car”! Woo hoo!
If they put Corinthian leather in it and dug up Ricardo Montalban, it might sell.
You realize that when (if) it gets here, it will cost $7500. Plus options. Maybe more. It will have to meet emissions and safety standards, which means it will need a larger engine and many mods.
Let’s see… after Federalization… six airbags… larger wheels to fit larger brakes that’ll act nicey-nice with ABS, EBD, DSC and WTF… airconditioning, stiffer springs to take the weight of your average caucasian driver… I’d say it’d cost 10 grand, easy…
Alarmist? The Tata Nano was a machine designed for minimums. The Nano’s brakes were designed on the premise that the Nano didn’t have enough power to need brakes that could haul it down from 60 mph. The wheels, thus, could be smaller… the tires could thus be cheaper, because they were small and didn’t have to deal with heavy cornering loads…
A machine built to a minimum spec to satisfy Asian conditions will not easily meet the needs of European/American drivers who drive longer, further and faster.
The Nano is the fantasy car that our ruling class in Washington want all the unwashed riff-raff they lord over to drive.
That way they can keep their SUV’s, jets, etc.
Oh great, I see Cozy Coupe sales plummeting despite the fact it performs better than the Nano in crash tests. Damn this foreign competition. A government bailout for Little Tykes is next along with hundreds of toy stores having their franchise agreements terminated. It’s a sad day.
Aren’t Nanos rear-engined? If so, and if they’re cheap enough, I could see myself enjoying one as a station car.
They could always call it “City Rover”….
Fiat and Tata have had agreements for some time now. It wouldn’t surprise me.
The interior looks like a rough draft of the now defunct ION interior.
I don’t think it will come here. That being said Al Gore would like this car. If everyone is forced to buy this and the FIAT 500 his limo driver could see over all the traffic ahead while transporting Al from his 26,000 sq. ft. mansion to the airport to board his private jet.
Nanu, nanu! Oops, wrong show.
Autobianchi rhymes with donkey. That’s the name they should use.
Al Gore’s “limo driver could see over all the traffic ahead while transporting Al from his 26,000 sq. ft. mansion to the airport to board his private jet.” He rides in one of those stretched Toyota Sequoias, doesn’t he? His chauffeur should already be able to see over most cars.
Fiat and Tata have been “in talks” for at least 4yrs and nothing has come out of it yet.
And let’s see, hatch that won’t open, car has trouble getting over 70km/h, the engine barely cracks 36hp, it can’t run on alcohol. After the necessary “Brazilitiation (similar to the Federalization need for US)” it’ll would sell for roughly 10 to 15% lower (the basic one w/ no air con, power anything etc.) than the cheapest car in the Brazilian market (according to leading Brazilian car rags and sites). Hummm can’t see it, though more choices is always good.
So American friends, don’t worry. If it really can’t cut the mustard for our standards, imagine for yours.
Re: FromBrazil
However, in your case, you don’t have the ONE mandating that all prole have to buy the government mandated vehicle. Who care if it isn’t safe.
fincar1:
‘Al Gore’s “limo driver could see over all the traffic ahead while transporting Al from his 26,000 sq. ft. mansion to the airport to board his private jet.” He rides in one of those stretched Toyota Sequoias, doesn’t he?’
Hmmm… does the UAW know this?