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In overcrowded cities, the Nano is emerging the vehicle of choice for daily commuting for its agility, practicality and fuel efficiency. Shorter than the Maruti 800, but roomier inside, the Nano delivers 23 km a litre. In addition, buyers also speak highly about its design and styling, which they consider far better than the Maruti 800, which costs around 55 per cent more.
Ironically, many had expected the Nano to eat into sales of two-wheelers, especially motorbikes, compelling companies like Bajaj Auto to manufacture its version of the small car. But the expected change has not happened.
Says S Sridhar, chief executive (two-wheelers), Bajaj Auto: "When you put out a low-cost car in the market, consumers immediately compare it with a two-wheeler. But 30 per cent of two-wheeler buyers today are students looking for something sporty. The balance of customers is from B- and C-class towns, where road conditions are poor and the maintenance cost of a car is higher than that of a motorcycle."
Nevertheless, Bajaj Auto is working on a low-cost car. But, it is looking at a car whose running costs will be low because of higher fuel efficiency.
One of the main reasons why the Nano hasn't pulled consumers looking for the first car, said auto experts, is because of the poor exposure the car has received since it was unveiled, which could have defined its road worthiness. "The performance of the vehicle cannot be evaluated now, because it is too short a period to have a clear idea on its performance," says Baiju N Nair, chief editor, Overtake, a local auto magazine in Kerala.
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