Every man?s dream is now on the tarmac. Tata?s much-debated, much-hyped and much longed for small car was unveiled in Mumbai on Monday. There were eager eyes wanting to own the compact dream of Tata honcho, Ratan Tata and some skeptics who chorused `nono?.
?I will buy it?, says Adrian D?souza, a car enthusiast. He thinks the Nano is a `very innovative creation?. ?It is a people?s car and everyone would like to have it. I was speaking to rickshaw drivers and they were considering buying that instead, if the government goes ahead with its `change of meter? system.? D?souza says in a space-crunched Mumbai, he would not min0d being on the `waiting list? for the car as `in India, we are anyways accustomed to waiting?.
When the dream is to buy a car, then better to dream big. That?s what skydiver Mohan K thinks. ?Why should I buy a small car? There are so many options available in the market which will be much better than the Nano.? But would the money needed to buy those options be as tempting as it is for the Nano? ?I would rather pay a little more and buy a better car,? he says.
For some, the car?s easy accessibility for the masses is a dampener. Says Preman N, who works at an investment bank, ?Imagine, what will happen to our roads. They will be choc-a-bloc with these tiny cars, which can be bought by almost the entire junta. Do we need that on roads of Mumbai or for that matter in any congested metro in the country?? Would he buy it? ?I wonder, whether there would be good after sales. With the Nano being within the reach of anyone, there will be chaos, I think, with regard to after sales.? Would he buy it? ?It is a Nono for me. I can?t find space to park my bike on the roads. Why would I invite trouble for myself with a Nano??
Application forms for the Nano will be available at all Tata Motors retail outlets and Croma stores from April 9-April 29, 2009 at Rs 300. Sheba Varghese, a marketing professional hopes to get one. ?The Nano is any day better than the Maruti 800.
However, I think the Nano Europa is a much better version. The Nano is a better choice on the roads, for it offers great mileage and perfect value for money. I don?t think, conditions of the Indian roads will be able to support this brilliant initiative.?
The car in pictures and on the TV looks good. But the pictures don?t say the story, feels singer Parthiv Gohil. He would like to test drive the Nano and then decide. ?What I am looking at is comfort. It has a competitive edge over the other cars,? he admits.
The Nano fever has gripped Kolkata even as the world?s cheapest car was launched in Mumbai on Monday. The staff of Tata Lexus Motors showrooms in Kolkata have had little time to breathe as their telephones kept ringing and customers pouring in, all eager to enquire about the car and its booking procedures. Ranjit Kumar Shaw was among many, who wore a disapppointed expression as he stood outside the Lexus Motors showroom on AJC Bose Road, which had come under attack during the stalemate last year.
?I had come to book it, but was told that booking has not started yet. It will be done through a lottery system, by which the prospective customers? names will come up. I am excited about Nano and want to buy it as it is the cheapest car yet.?
Another car enthusiast, Subhasish Mondol who visited one of the showrooms was enquiring about the different models of the Nano. ?I am going to back here to book the car as soon as booking begins. Nano is ideal for our roads and small families,? he says.
People?s car or the favourite car?all will be known when the car hits the Indian roads.
?(Inputs from Mohana Dam, Kolkata)