Tata Motors CEO hints at next generation Nano: Report

One month after assuming office, Guenter Butschek, who was appointed Tata Motors' new chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director Feb.15, 2016, explained his vision as the CEO of Tata Motors and also hinted at the next generation Nano.

Butschek, in an interview to ET Auto, said: "Nano was once a game changer. May be the next generation Nano is going to be the next game changer." The former chief operating officer of the Airbus group said the Nano has huge potential and the company will review its product strategy.

The next generation Nano is expected to do away with the "cheap car" tag and is expected to be loaded with features. The small car is likely to get the new Impact design language of Tata Motors and will not stick to the cost cutting strategy to attain lower pricing.

The current Nano's engine, 624cc, two-cylinder MPFI petrol that develops 38bhp and 51Nm of peak torque, is expected to get tweaks in the newer version. The four-speed manual transmission is likely to make way for a five-speed one,  while the AMT gearbox would continue to be offered as it is. 

Tata Motors launched Nano in March 2009 as the "people's car" with prices starting at Rs one lakh. However, the car failed to attract a huge number of buyers as expected and the sales got a slow start at the beginning. The sales then picked up after two years of the launch.

The cumulative sales of Tata Nano during the FY2011-12 stood at 74,527 units, which is a six percent increase compared to 70,432 cars sold during FY2010-11. However, in the coming years, the sales came down significantly. In 2015, Tata Motors launched the GenX Nano for a starting price of Rs 1.99, ex-showroom, Delhi.