Tata Nano to be freely available; Prices hiked 3 – 4%

Tata’s official release says that the Nano will be freely available once the initial lot of 100,000 units are delivered to waiting customers. Those who had retained bookings for the Nano despite not coming under the first lot will have to pay an additional price of 3 – 4% depending on the model owing to steep increase in raw material prices. Depending on the model, customers — who had retained their bookings though were not selected among the first allottee customers — will have to pay the extra amount, an official release from Tata Motors said.

The first 100,000 cars will be sold at the initially announced prices. The company said it has begun intimating customers, who had retained their booking but are not among first one lakh, that their cars are coming up for delivery albeit at higher prices.

“Despite a steep increase in input prices, their (retainee-customers) Tata Nanos are being priced only three- four per cent higher, depending on the model, than the price announced at launch,”

The Nano’s Sanand plant is operational ahead of schedule and has the capacity to produce 250,000 Nanos a year. The exact increase in prices will be communicated to allottees.

Wheelosphere takes you on a tour of Tata Nano’s plant in Sanand

Tata Nano Convertible

Hit the jump for detailed press release.

PRESS RELEASE

Speedy ramp-up at Tata Motors Sanand plant, Company intimates Tata Nano retainee-customers of car delivery

Final step before open sales begin

Tata Motors today announced that with its 250,000-unit/year Sanand plant becoming operational ahead of schedule, the company will speedily ramp up production of the Tata Nano. Accordingly, the company has begun intimating retainee-customers that their cars are coming up for delivery. This is the final step, before the company opens up sales of the Tata Nano.

Retainee-customers are those who had retained their booking with the company though not selected among the first allottee-customers from out of the booking process of 2009. Despite a steep increase in input prices, their Tata Nanos are being priced only three to four percent higher, depending on the model, than the price announced at launch. The terms and conditions of booking had provided that the applicable price of the car for a retainee-customer would be notified at the time of delivery. Also, as announced at the booking, they have received interest on their deposit.

The allottee-customers, still awaiting delivery, will get their cars at the same price as announced at launch on March 23, 2009. Tata Motors would like to reward the loyalty of the allottee-customers for bearing with the company through a prolonged period of delivery, given the capacity constraints till the Sanand plant became operational. As a gesture of goodwill and gratitude, the company has announced for them a choice among a one-year free annual maintenance contract (AMC), or free accessories worth Rs.4000/- or an extended warranty.

The Tata Nano has already received an overwhelming response. With the ramp-up at the Sanand plant, customers desirous of the car will soon be able to freely purchase the Tata Nano.