Tata Nano

Recently bought Nano automatic. Although I have Figo and Ecosport automatic, Nano is my favorite for city drive.

Nano story would be remembered in management books as greatest case study where an engineering marvel failed due to wrong marketing campaigns.

Entire focus of Nano marketing was on getting two wheeler users to upgrade to Nano. Why would they, when they can simply afford a bigger second hand car. Reminds me of Newtons story of two holes in door, one for cat and other for kitchens:-).

Nano is not best suited for first time car buyers as much its suited for second car buyers.

There is no better car than Nano automatic in Indian market for city traffic conditions. I relish it every Day as it helps me save about 15-20 min on my 20km city traffic drive. But I feel sorry for Ratan Tata and other Nano engineers whose great efforts failed due to wrong product positioning by Nano marketing team.

Here is what I love about Nano

1. Small Width - Helps me squeeze through leftmost part of road and narrow road conditions due to illegal parking, people occupying multiple lanes to turn right on signal, metro work

   
   




2. Small length - Very easy to park in remaining space between a parked car and open gate where most bigger/longer cars can’t fit. I call them exclusive Nano parking spots

   
   




3. Big Window - Tall seating and large windows make minimize visual obstructions while driving/riding. Feels like you are on bike but without the noise and pollution of road.

   
   




4. Right pickup for city conditions - Nano automatic in sport mode has just the right pickup for city driving conditions which allows you to go into those open gaps between cars without making it too much where you need to immediately apply breaks

   
   




5. Good AC - AC is very powerful and even in peak Hyd summer, I can’t keep it on max cool for too long as it gets very cold

   
   




6. Tall Seating - Tall seating is more comfortable, gives better view of the road and getting in and out is easy. I hate getting in and out of sedan and hatchbacks.

   
   




7. Power Steering - Very light and easy to operate with one hand in traffic.

   
   




8. Speakers - Good car speakers

   
   




9. No big bonnet - You have perfect judgement of road ahead, making it easy to move across lanes when you are stuck in traffic.

   
   




10. High ground clearance - Those bad roads and rough side patches are no concern when driving nano due to its 180mm and short wheelbase

    
    




11. Sport mode - This is the mode for regular car driving. Economy is only for mileage fans.

    
    




12. Legroom - Very good legroom for both front and back seat users. This was an issue in alto.

    
    

Some negatives

1. Car Bluetooth Microphone - Peaks up lot of noise and people on other side can’t hear clearly. I use a portable bose speaker with microphone.

   
   




2. Image - Thanks to Tata’s Marketing geniuses, this car has so poor image that people feel it’s weird to drive this car. I know people in Bangalore who want this comfort but buy Mahindra E2O over this car due to image issue.

   
   




3. Don’t make a turn in it at high speed, it may topple. I met a guy whose nano toppled during a steep turn on highway exit

   
   

Overall - If you are looking already have a big car / SUV etc but tired of driving it and looking for something in city driving conditions, look no further. There is no better alternative in market irrespective of how much you are ready pay. Best part is, most fantastic car for city driving is cheapest car to own as well.

Some requests to Tata Motors

1. Please release new version with following features a. Better sound insulation b. Android auto & apple carplay(lift and shift from Nexon) like Renault did it. We should be able to take conf calls from car.

   
   




2. Start a fresh marketing campaign focused on second car buyers who need car for city use. Focus on ease of parking, driving comfort and how it’s better than bigger cars instead of focusing on how it’s better than bike. Work hard to improve image of car.

   
   




3. Reduce the price by at-least 50k.

   
   




4. Add reverse parking camera with dashcam as dealer side accessory

   
   




5. Although I am fine, my family members think that breaks can be improved.

   
   




6. Add little more power to reverse gear. Currently it needs more push than regular cars in reverse gear to go uphill

   
   




7. May be you think it’s too much but think about it - Add paddle shifter to steering wheel that can be used in sport mode. Very useful for city drive when you are going uphill and need to quickly downshift.

   
   

Don’t let this great product fail due to bad marketing approach. Add the things I suggested and make it Tata City.