Tata Motors hopes to come out with the latest version of the Nano by the end of this financial year or early next year, to boost sales.

The company on Monday said it was not happy with sales of the Nano, as the majority of buyers are those who own one or more cars.

“We are not happy with sales of Nano as we are in the transition period. We hope to come out with the latest version by the end of the current financial year or early next financial year,” Ranjit Yadav, President, Passenger Vehicles Business unit, Tata Motors, told Business Line over telephone.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Tata Motors sold 2,202 units of Nano in December 2012 in the domestic market as compared to 7,466 units in same month previous year. Exports also came down to 40 units during the month, from 548 units in December 2011.

Yadav said the company is studying on the customers’ experience and intends to give world class Nano with the new offering, which would help grow its sales.

“We have launched four new models in the last four months and will launch another 4-5 models within this financial year,” he said. The company launched two variants of the new Vista D90 premium hatchback, priced at Rs 5.99 lakh and Rs 6.83 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) respectively.

The new hatchback has technology features such as touchscreen multimedia system with in-built voice guided GPS navigation and Bluetooth connectivity that can pair up to five mobile phones.

It also features fully automatic climate control, advanced driver information system, next generation instrument cluster and steering mounted controls.

The latest vehicle in the Indica series is powered by a 1.3 litre diesel engine, which will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki India’s Swift, Hyundai Motor India’ i20 and Honda Cars India’s Jazz (available only in petrol).

>ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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