Date:05/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/05/stories/2008030555491700.htm

Business

Tata open to global licensing of Nano

— Photo: AFP

Steals show: The $2,500 (Rs. 1 lakh) Tata Nano attracts attention during the press day of the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday in Geneva.

GENEVA: Tata Motors is considering the possibility of global licensing of the production of people’s car Nano, which, when launched abroad, will be positioned on the same platform as the one back home — an affordable family car.

“Every decision must be based on demand for the car. If we cannot meet it, we will look at licensing manufacture,” Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata told visiting Indian journalists at the 78th Geneva Motor Show here, where Tata Motors is previewing its Rs. 1-lakh ($2,500) car Nano for the first time outside India.

The company is open to the idea of having franchise manufacturing units, by selling licences to young entrepreneurs to make the car.

Tata Motors’ upcoming plant at Singur (West Bengal) in India, from where Nano is planned to be rolled out, would have a capacity of 2.50 lakh units annually when fully operational.