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Tata takes 203,000 Nano orders | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Tata Motors says it has received 203,000 orders for its Nano, the world's cheapest car, which went on sale last month. | |
India's largest vehicle maker said it received orders worth worth 25bn rupees ($510m; £340m) between 9 and 25 April. | |
However, production problems mean Tata will only be able to deliver 100,000 cars by the end of 2010. | However, production problems mean Tata will only be able to deliver 100,000 cars by the end of 2010. |
The basic Nano costs 1 lakh, or 100,000 rupees ($2,025; £1,340), and a 95,000 rupees deposit must be paid up front. | |
Deliveries of the vehicle will start in July. Tata Motors said it would randomly select the people who would get the first shipment. | |
Some Indian analysts have said the company had been expecting even higher demand for the vehicle - which received huge publicity when the plans were unveiled last year. | |
The size of the deposit required, and the lack of a model to test drive, had held back some would-be consumers they said. | |
'Warm welcome' | 'Warm welcome' |
Half of the orders were for the most deluxe version of the car, which comes with air conditioning and electric windows, and the remaining 30% for a mid-range model. | Half of the orders were for the most deluxe version of the car, which comes with air conditioning and electric windows, and the remaining 30% for a mid-range model. |
Tata said only 20% of customers opted for the cheapest version of the car. | Tata said only 20% of customers opted for the cheapest version of the car. |
The booking fee, or deposit, required for the deluxe model is 140,000 rupees, which has a full price of 185,000 rupees. | The booking fee, or deposit, required for the deluxe model is 140,000 rupees, which has a full price of 185,000 rupees. |
"Tata Motors places on record its gratitude to the people of India for according such a warm welcome to the Tata Nano," the company said. | "Tata Motors places on record its gratitude to the people of India for according such a warm welcome to the Tata Nano," the company said. |
Applicants have also had to pay up to 300 rupees for an application form. | Applicants have also had to pay up to 300 rupees for an application form. |
Tata hopes the low-cost of the car will encourage millions of Indians to trade up from their motorcycles. | Tata hopes the low-cost of the car will encourage millions of Indians to trade up from their motorcycles. |
Currently, there are about nine cars per 1,000 people in India. | Currently, there are about nine cars per 1,000 people in India. |