It is easy to look at Tata’s (TTM) new mini-car, which will sell for $2,500 in India, and laugh. It is smaller than the Honda (HMC) Civics which came into the US in the 1970s.
Detroit laughed at the Civic as well, laughed itself sick.
The Tata "Nano" would not meet US emissions standards, but the engineers at Ford (F) and GM (GM) can make cars that run on H20, so why not fit a tiny engine with anti-pollutant technology?
US drivers are not going to take a wee car onto the interstate, but for the millions of people who commute to work, or just drive around town, a small car would be ideal Something that might get 100 mpg.
Could Detroit make money on such a vehicle? Perhaps not. But, it could buy a modified version from Tata.
Think of the advantages. If the car gets a flat tire, the drive can just pick the vehicle up and put it in his pocket.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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