Industry reactions to Tata's new Nano car

Jan 10 (Reuters) - Tata Motors Ltd (TAMO.BO) (TTM.N), India's top vehicle maker, on Thursday unveiled the world's cheapest car, the Nano, which will be priced at 100,000 rupees ($2,500).

See [ID:nBOM156109] for the main story and [ID:nBOM149089] for a FACTBOX on the car.

Following are comments on the car from industry executives and people at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, where it was unveiled. -------------------------------------------------------------

JAGDISH KHATTAR, FORMER MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARUTI SUZUKI:

"The car is good to look at. There is a space in the market between two-wheelers and the 800 (Maruti's small car). It will be a success if they deliver what they promised. And I see no reason why they can't."

RAMESH SURI, CHAIRMAN, SUBROS:

"The best thing is that they have kept the price at levels promised at concept stage. It is good to look at. I can't say about the driving experience as I have not taken a trial."

SHINZO NAKANISHI, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD (MRTI.BO) (speaking before the unveiling): "We cannot make a cheaper car. We don't know how to make a 1-lakh car unless we sacrifice something. We won't go below the 800 in our product line-up."

Maruti Suzuki's mini 800, priced at nearly double the Tata car, was the cheapest in the market. Asked about the impact of the Tata car on Maruti's sales, Nakanishi said: "There may be some impact."

ANAND MAHINDRA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD (MAHM.BO) (speaking before the unveiling):

"I think it's a moment of history and I'm delighted an Indian company is leading the way."

VENU SRINIVASAN, CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR, TVS MOTOR CO (TVSM.BO):

"It is fantastic, outstanding engineering. It helps redefine the sector in the country. It has established new grounds."

P. SAM, GROUP HEAD, MARKETING AND SALES, YAMAHA MOTOR INDIA SALES PVT LTD:

"The 1-lakh rupee car is not going to impact our potential customers. Our customers would buy our products for the sheer joy of riding."

ONKAR KANWAR, APOLLO TYRES LTD:

"I congratulate Tata. He has delivered what he promised."

ASHOK SINGH, CONSTABLE, DELHI POLICE:

"It is a dream come true. I look forward to buying that car. My wife will be really happy."

G. COLQUHOUN, READER IN MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, LIVERPOOL:

"This is an important step for Asian markets. I look forward to this car being introduced in European markets."

For a CHRONOLOGY on Tata Motors see [ID:nBOM10872].

For a FACTBOX on the world's cheapest cars [ID:nBOM72817].

For a profile of Ratan Tata, the man behind the 1-lakh car, see [ID:nBOM206266].

For additional stories, pictures and video from the Auto Show go to here ($1=39.30 rupees) (Reporting by Rina Chandran, Editing by Mark Williams)