The revolutionary, ultra-low cost Tata Nano is seeing more than a few imitators with the South Korean auto major Hyundai Motors joining the bandwagon to announce its own low cost car which will debut in 2012. Hyundai is planning to price this car at $3500, a whole $1000 more than the $2500 Tata Nano. Looking at the way inflation is spiralling, Hyundai will have a major challenge on its hands to keep the price down to the projected $3500. Apart from the price, Hyundai is tight lipped about what features the car will have to offer. As this car is being launched in 2012, we expect it feature an unconventional source of propulsion like electricity or even hydrogen fuel cells. Also, a modular approach to building the car cannot be ruled out as it still remains the best way to keep costs down.
Source: Autocrust
Comments
This race of ultra low cost cars seems to be a boon for the Indian middle and lower middle class. But what I am worried is the inadequate infrastructure and already strangulating traffic scenario. Would our infrastructure development outpace that of low cost cars?
Also, it would be a nice idea to make cars which are cheap but runs on some alternative clean fuel.
Yeah that’s pretty right, infrastructure remains the weakest link of the Indian economy and till that improves, increased mobility won’t make too much difference to the man on the street. And alternate fuels too are the urgent need as we’re seeing oil prices skyrocket to insanely high levels with them showing absolutely no signs of coming down.
the race for the cheapest car has somehow caught the trend from mobile phones. everyone wants to own one but cant afford it so the producers innovate some that anyone can buy. cars will no more remain to be a status symbol for many anymore.
@JP
i agree we can produce more n more cars but the fuel to drive it. how do be manage that...
??? think think think people...
@farheen
That’s precisely what iv commented upon1 Obviously we need to move towards alternate fuels and we are already making rapid strides in that sphere. By the way, this car from Hyundai might very well come with an alternate source of propulsion.