I saw the ‘Nano’, the ‘world’s cheapest car’ today, on the internet. Yes, it is cool, but Mr. Ratan Tata, where are the roads? The Indian cities are already choked with vehicles. And now, here comes this small wonder and for all I know, the Indian middle class is going to go berserk over it.
Just imagine the chaos we will soon be having on our roads! I only hope that I am proved wrong because otherwise we are doomed. This is because soon other companies will follow suit (Suzuki is already planning a small car on the lines of the ‘Nano’).
Update: I read this great post which further supplements my point of view. Read it here
One more problem is that it will lead to a huge rise in demand for petrol and bloat India’s fuel bill and push up petrol prices as reported in The Hindustan Times.
Here is how it looks:
Image Source: Rediff News
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5 responses so far ↓
rajat // January 11, 2008 at 4:05 pm
One can’t blame Ratan Tata for bad roads.
Can we ?
Krishna Aradhi // January 11, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I agree with you, rajat, but it shouldn’t always be business. The fact remains that this car is going to compound our problems manifold. And yes, in the end Tata will be blamed. With our huge population, great public transport is the only viable option we have. Cheapest cars in the world won’t help us.
Already the environment groups are protesting against this car (yesterday Greenpeace activists were protesting outside the expo).
Vijay Krishna Narayanan // January 12, 2008 at 3:42 am
The heightened demand for fuel is another good argument against the car. So is the poor driving expertise of the new car owners.
However, the blame should be borne by the Government. I wish it provides a fillip to the State & Central Governments to radically rethink their urban development policies.
rajat // January 14, 2008 at 12:27 pm
If you look at businesses ,they basically work for profit. A business can’t sustain itself if doesn’t earn profit.
A good business is one which combines social responsibility with the profit.Govt. can play a vital role in doing that.
Ultimately it’s consumer choice to go for private transport or public transport.
So the blame lies just not on the Tata’s but also the govt. and the end consumers.
The most profound affect of Tata Nano will
ultimately on the environment(even if it complies to Euro 3 or Euro 4).We can offset the clogging of roads by increasing their number but we can’t offset the effects on environment.
Environment is not just the concern of an enterprise but everybody involved in it,the businesses ,the govt. and the consumers.
Krishna Aradhi // January 14, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Yes, you are quite right, rajat. But we really are not taking the issue of global warming seriously. We are just becoming more consumerist and ambitious by the day.
Everyone is happy that Tata has finally unveiled the car. But, by the time we see the huge impact this car will have on our environment, it may just be too late. Let’s hope that I am proved wrong, though it seems unlikely.