<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->It's small, it's cheap, it's low emission so... the arrival of the Tata Nano, India's new 'people's car', has been greeted by a wailing and a gnashing of the teeth from the environmental aristocracy. The prospect of millions of the global peasantry driving, emitting and pushing up 'our' gas prices is a nightmare. It promises to be, said Yale environmental law professor Daniel Esty, "an environmental disaster of substantial proportions."
<b>In fact, the size, or even existence, of this environmental disaster is doubtful. A few millions of a car that emits 30 g CO2 per km simply isn't even an influence upon global CO2 emissions, let alone a disaster of even insubstantial portions. At that emission rate, doing 20,000 km a year each car will produce 600 kg of CO2: one hundred million of them on the roads would be less than 1 per cent of current emissions of over 6 Gtonnes. No, not substantial then.</b>
But whether it is a substantial addition or not is dwarfed by the seeming ignorance of other commentators: "In none of our reports did we assume there'd be a car like this," said Judi Greenwald, a researcher with the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Well, OK, cut Judi a little slack, no one did predict a car exactly like this: but everyone has indeed predicted that something similar would happen, that the peons would at some point be able to get off Shank's Pony and move around in the same way us civilised folks do. Indeed, all the concerns we have about global warming are rather based upon predictions that this will happen.
Apologies, but this is where a little economics becomes necessary. Yes, we've all heard of the International Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, those people who issue the reports containing the scientific consensus on the issue (yes, we are assuming they are correct here). Greenland's ice disappears sometime around 2,500, East Antarctica a couple of centuries later and boy, then we all really are in trouble. But all too few people, and unfortunately all too few environmentalists, stop and wonder where those numbers come from. Yes, we've got lovely computer models to tell us what the temperature rises will be if we stick x amount of methane into the atmosphere, y amount of CO2 and so on: but someone, somewhere, has had to work out how much methane, how much CO2 is likely to be so emitted. And that comes from the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios, the SRES.
The SRES is a series of economic models based upon four families (again divided into scenarios but we're not going to worry about that level of detail). The A1 family assumes that in 2100 the world output (GDP) will be $550 trillion for some 7 billion people. That is, that the world will be at least ten times richer in 92 years than it was eight years ago (essentially, growth goes on as it has since 1850). A2 (what the Stern Review uses and, umm, the low globalisation model) has 16 billion people and $250 trillion in GDP. B2 10 billions and $250 trillion, B1 $350 trillion and 7 billion again. These are the economic assumptions upon which everything we are told about climate change rests. Yes, there are different assumptions in them about how technology develops but all of them are entirely without any attempts at all at mitigation. That is, all the numbers we work with assume that we don't have carbon taxes, we don't ban patio heaters, we don't abolish the aeroplane. Anything we do along those lines reduces the damage that might be done.
Just as an aside we might note that these models all assume that the less trade we have, the more regionally based the world economy, the more self-sufficient we all become, buying locally, the worse the outcome. Campaigning to reduce globalisation to counter global warming is like fucking for virginity.
While none of the families specifically predicts the Tata Nano, all of them predict that the great unwashed will indeed have transport: and no, none of them predict that that transport will not be fossil fuel based. So while those folks at the Pew Center might be correct that this specific thing was not predicted, something very like it was. In fact, the existence of growing wealth and thus mobility is rather written into the plans that worry us.
Which leads us to the glorious George Monbiot. In a recent column he said:
"So economic growth this century could be 32 times as big an environmental issue as population growth. And if governments, banks and businesses have their way, it never stops. By 2115, the cumulative total rises to 3,200%, by 2138 to 6,400%. As resources are finite, this is of course impossible, but it is not hard to see that rising economic activity - not human numbers - is the immediate and overwhelming threat."
Leave aside his (known) ignorance of economics: growth is not defined by nor is it dependent upon the consumption of resources. It's defined as the addition of value to them: making sandpaper and a computer chip both consume sand, but one is the addition of rather more value than the other. Thus economic growth is not constrained in the way that he thinks by resource availability. Look rather to his "this is of course impossible".
In talking about climate change and the dangers thereof he tells us that a continuation of past economic growth is impossible. But as we can see above, the world's largest report on the subject, indeed the scientific consensus, is that said growth is indeed possible. In fact, the terrors of climate change depend upon it being so, for the whole science is based upon the outcome of economic growth. Thus George has either, by showing the impossibility, told us that climate change isn't a problem or that, perhaps more likely, he doesn't know what he's talking about.
<b>Which brings us back to those worrying about the Tata Nano: it isn't a horror for the climate, it isn't a disaster.</b> It's actually one of the things already built into our models which lead us to our current understanding of what will happen. We've already taken account of it in our calculations, you see? As we have all those other things: more flights, more people, more wealth. We even know the solution, a Pigou Tax, but that's a matter for another day.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
New Delhi (PTI): Tata Motors, one of the biggest private players in the defence sector, on Saturday unveiled its new range of tactical and armoured vehicles which can be used by armed forces for special missions and to turn the tide in counter insurgency operations.
Tata Motors, which is a major indigenous car manufacturer in the civil sector, showcased the 1.2 tonne payload 'Light Specialist Vehicle', which it said is a single platform to undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance, special forces missions, counter insurgency operations and could also be used as an armoured ambulance.
This is the second major foray by the company in the defence sector after it won the bid to make Pinaka multi barrel rocket launchers.
Though there are reports that the Tatas plan to form an independent defence industrial entity, its top executives present at the launch were tight lipped about the matter. They refused to give figures of the company's investments in the defence sector.
"The company has major plans to enter the upgradation of armourment, mobility platforms. The company has recently announced strategic tie ups with mega international defence companies like the Boeing," V S Noronha, Head of Defence Business in Tata Motors said.
The company's launch comes at a time when other national and international players are eyeing the Indian market which according to industry estimates, will be requiring an estimated 30 to 40 thousand such vehicles.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Defence PSU Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) has unveiled a combat vehicle with high-tech communication and surveillance systems for use by security forces in difficult terrains along the border.
The 'Command Post vehicle' is a mobile surveillance and reconnaissance system built on the Tatra vehicle which have access and utility in the most difficult terrains of border security, a BEML spokesman said.
The specialised vehicle, designed to wade through water up to 1,400mm, will have advanced electronics imaging, communication and gun mounting with GPS, the spokesman said.
It has facilities for controlling the surveillance grid, collection of surveillance inputs from radars, collation of data and its dissemination.
The vehicle will be part of support battalions of mechanised infantry, he said.
The 'Command Post', which has a maximum speed of 86 kmph, comes with a centralised tyre inflation and deflation for better driving in terrain conditions.
The premier heavy earth-moving machinery maker also launched a 'driving simulators' at the defence expo here.
"It will train drivers by phasing the training through increasing level of complexity in all kinds of terrains with varying visibility and weather conditions," he said<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Other vehicles on display include the armoured Tata Safari, light armoured troop carrier with remote controlled weapon station and the versatile battlefield mobility solution, Tata 8x8 HMV
Tata Motors today displayed its new range of tactical and armoured vehicles at the Defence Expo 2008. This range showcases the company's expertise in providing a wide range of military mobility solutions. The company launched its Tata light specialist vehicle (LSV) at the Defence Expo.
Tata Motors has been providing defence solutions for over five decades. The company's range of products on display at the Defence Expo showcases its expertise in developing vehicles that meet the entire spectrum of needs of the military and paramilitary forces. Tata Motors' products have been designed and customised as per evolving needs of the modern military forces. The Tata LSV is one such platform, which is adaptable to multiple roles, depending on the mission.
Tata light specialist vehicle (LSV)
The Tata LSV, with a 1.2 tonne payload, built to latest military standards, is a single platform to undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance, counter insurgency operations for special forces and even as an ambulance. The Tata LSV's versatility enables it to perform on the major parameters of mobility, survivability, stealth, lethality, transportability and maintainability as per the demands of a modern military force.
The Tata LSV has an adaptive automatic transmission, 60 per cent gradeability, 300mm vertical obstacle climbing ability, 45 per cent approach angle, 45 per cent departure angle, and 255mm ground clearance. The vehicle can operate in a temperature range of -20 degree to +55 degree Celsius. The maximum speed of the vehicle is 105km / hr.
The Tata LSV can be adapted depending on the requirement, to offer any or all of the following:
Light multipurpose reconnaissance vehicle
Armed reconnaissance vehicle
LSV with protection for counter insurgency operations
Observation post party vehicle
Field artillery tractor for para-field artillery regiments
Reconnaissance vehicle for gun position officer for artillery regiments
Reconnaissance, surveillance and Ghatak platoon vehicle for infantry
Engineering reconnaissance vehicle
Common utility communication vehicle
Ambulance vehicle
Field repair team vehicle
Para (SF) and BC / OC parties of para-field regiment
Low-level lightweight radar for air defence artillery
IGLA carrier for air defence artillery
Coverer vehicle for air defence artillery
LSV-based light radio vehicle / communication rover for signals
LSV for tactical satellite terminals for signals
Shelter for unit entity vehicle for signals
Cable utility vehicle for corps of signals
Shelter for unit field wireless system for corps of signals
Other vehicles on display include:
Light armoured troop carrier (LATC) with remote controlled weapon station
The LATC is designed for movement of troops of section strength for counter insurgency operation. The vehicle protects the troops against small-arm fire and is fitted with bulletproof glasses. The vehicle floor is protected against hand grenade blasts. The vehicle has a split air conditioning unit for crew comfort. The LATC is fitted with suspended seats and has seat belts for additional safety. The fuel tank is filled with explosive suppression material.
<b>Armoured safari</b>
This NIJ Level III protection vehicle for VVIPs is equipped with features like hand grenade protection for under belly, extra wide footsteps for escorts and red yellow green (RYG) indicator for escort vehicles. It comes with comfortable interiors, plush seating, fine-tuned suspension, and HVAC. The armoured Safari has run flat tyres, five exit doors, and explosive suppressant material in the fuel tank.
<b>Tata 8x8 platform, a versatile battlefield mobility solution</b>
The Tata 8x8 is a unique and versatile platform, capable of being configured to a host of military applications for missile / weapon stations, surveillance equipment, communications and electronics warfare platforms, bridge laying, tank transporters, recovery vehicles, mobile specialist workshops, hook loader applications and load carriers.
On offer is a wide range of specifications to suit individual applications. The Tata 8x8 is powered by a powerful 380-420 HP engine and a versatile 9-16 speed gear box, with heavy-duty transfer cases driving the hub reduction tandem axles to address requirement of high speeds and severe gradients. An option of automatic transmission is also available in this range.
The compensating bogey suspension, capable of operating under severe terrain conditions with full air brakes having optional ABS, takes on a heavy-duty frame. The vehicle is fitted with a tiltable military cabin with good all around visibility, and is compatible to up-armouring.
Tata Motors has been closely associated with Indian Armed Forces since 1958. Over 1, 00,000 vehicles have been supplied to Indian military and paramilitary forces so far. Tata Motors defence solutions cover the complete range of logistics and tactical vehicles. The company has the rare distinction of providing the defence forces with customised solutions for specific defence applications.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Ford India launches new 'Endeavour Thunder' at Rs 17.32 lakhs</b>
Â
New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) Ford Motors India today launched the new Ford Endeavour Thunder Plus, which delivers much more power with all-new interiors, priced at Rs 17.32 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.
The new Endeavour comes with a 16-valve DOHC 3 litre turbo-diesel common-rail injection (TDCi) engine offering a torque of 380 Nm at 2,500rpm.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) Ford Motor India today said it will invest about 500 million dollars for a range of activities including investment in small car segment.
''We will invest about 500 million dollars in small car segment, engine production and for business expansion,'' company Vice-President (Marketing and Sales) Scot McCormack said on the sidelines of a conference here.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Faced with the prospect of an overwhelming demand for its low-cost, ultra compact car â the Nano, Tata Motors is ready to explore opportunities for licensed manufacturing of the car.
In addition to satellite manufacturing or franchisee model that Tata Motors had spoken about in the past, the company is also <b>considering licensing agreements with overseas manufacturers to speed up the process of launching the ultra-compact in export markets.</b>
Speaking to a few Indian journalists here at the ongoing 78th Geneva Motor Show, on the sidelines of the unveiling function for the Tata Nano, Mr Ratan Tata said, âEvery decision must be based on the demand for the car. If we cannot meet it, we will look at licensed manufacturing.â
In addition to compressing the gestation time for the launch of the Nano in overseas markets, licence manufacturing the car in important geographies will also go on to reduce costs involved in sourcing and logistics.
The Nano that was unveiled here on Tuesday was the same right-hand model that was showcased at the Auto Expo in New Delhi in January.
Redesigned model
Speaking about the plans for the launch of the Nano in markets abroad, Mr Ratan Tata said that the car will be redesigned for markets such as the US and Europe, but said that the timeline is still being worked out because its primary focus will be to meet demand in the Indian market.
He, however, mentioned that the Nano, just like in India, will be positioned as an affordable car even in overseas markets. âIt will be low-cost, totally compliant with all the regulations of the land and be priced at a level that has never been offered before,â Mr Tata said.
Speaking about the Nanoâs plans for the domestic market, Mr Tata said that the company was considering the idea of distributed manufacturing for the Nano, where âeasy-to-assemble kitsâ can be sold to local entrepreneurs who can then assemble and sell the car at their end in pre-defined locations.
Tata Motors is also pursuing various options in the alternative fuels and related technologies area. âWe are keen on having a bigger presence in the bio-fuels area. Electric vehicles, Hybrids and Flex-fuel vehicles are also being actively considered. However, we will not be a big R&D spender in these areas, instead the company will look at sourcing components, systems and technologies on these segments from others,â Mr Tata said.
Two areas of concern that Mr Tata cited for the company included the current scenario of high interest rates and low availability of automobile financing in India and the possibility of an escalation in input costs due to a hike in prices of inputs such as steel and rubber. He said that any relief in the cost scenario, including the cut in excise duty announced in the Budget, will be a welcome measure.
<!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo--> Tata Motors to roll out car that run on compressed air instead of fuel
22 Mar, 2008, 1306 hrs IST,Debjoy Sengupta , TNN
Tata Motors
KOLKATA: Itâs not official yet. But Tata Motors may soon be in a position to roll out cars that run on compressed air instead of fuel. This is because of an agreement the company inked in early 2007 with Franceâs MDI to deploy the latterâs path breaking air-powered auto-engine technology for the Indian market. The technology was at the development stage when the deal was signed.
Under the terms of agreement, Tata Motors will support further development and refinement of MDIâs technology, its application and licencing for the India market.
Significantly, technology development is nearly complete, especially since MDI is slated to showcase its OneCATs car, which runs on air, at the New York Auto Show. Subsequently , MDI will roll the small car for the French market by end-2008 .
Under the Tata Motors-MDI pact, the Tatas are slated to deploy MDIâs air-powered engine technology in its own cars. When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson acknowledged the tie-up with MDI but declined to share any details.
Officials from MDI, France told ET: âWeâve decided to launch OneCATs -the first version of cars with engines that will run on compressed air - in countries other than India by end 2008. The car will also be launched at the New York Auto Show starting from March 21, 2008. In France, the car will be produced in small units. For India, Tata Motors will adopt the technology for its cars.â
According to news agencies, Guy Negre, the CEO and founder of MDI Group, hopes versions of his compressed air car engine will be produced in India. Industry sources said the OneCATs being launched by MDI is likely to cost between e3,500-5 ,500. Additionally, according to MDIâs website, cars powered by the OneCATs engine will literally be zero pollution vehicles once they hit the highways.
MDI is a family-controlled company located at Carros, near Nice in southern France where partners Guy Negre and Cyril Negre, together with their technical team, developed a new engine technology with the purpose of economising energy and respect severe ecological requirements - at competitive costs.
<b>Tata Motors to pay Ford less than $2.65 bln - source</b> Link
Tue, Mar 25 07:04 PM
LONDON (Reuters) - Tata Motors Ltd will pay Ford Motor Co quite a bit less for Jaguar and Land Rover than a media report of $2.65 billon, a source close to the deal said on Tuesday.
"That figure of $2.65 billion is highly unlikely," the source said. "You have to come south from that by quite a bit."
Earlier, Indian news channel NDTV Profit said Tata Motors had signed a deal to buy the Jaguar and Land Rover brands for $2.65 billion.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Tata Motors to pay Ford less than $2.65 bln - source<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They know how to play with union. I hope they do well with this deal.
<!--emo&:ind--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/india.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='india.gif' /><!--endemo--> Gaurav Munjal, Deputy Chief Executive, Hero Cycles Ltd., says: âI think there is a huge potential for e-bikes because of it is economical. Their running cost is only 10 paise per kilometer while the scooter or motorbike costs around one rupee per kilometer. It is value for money.â
Munjal added: âThey are safe. You can travel at 25 km per hour. You do not require license, registration and do not have to pay road tax. But, we recommend a helmet for safety.â
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/pop...226714&src=news
<b>Indian students design motorcycle that runs on air</b> <!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo-->
The truck doesnââ¬â¢t yet have a name, but is likely to be called TR20 and TR40. The truck is currently sold in markets including Europe, Africa and South America and its competitors include Japanââ¬â¢s Toyota.
ââ¬ÅWe expect to capture 5-7 per cent of the market in its first year of full production,ââ¬Â said Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindraââ¬â¢s auto and farm-equipment operations. ââ¬ÅThe model has been extensively road-tested according to US regulations.ââ¬Â
Suzuki Chairman Osamu Suzuki has also been vocal about the battering from the surging yen, which erodes the value of exporters' overseas earnings. The dollar is now trading at 84-yen levels, approaching a 15-year low it hit last month.
Japanese automakers have been moving production abroad to skirt the risks from currency fluctuations. Suzuki autos sold in India are now almost all manufactured in India.
Final year mechanical engineering students of Doon Valley Institute of Engineering and Technology here claim to have designed and developed a prototype of the ââ¬ÅLakhtakiaââ¬Â Nano diesel car.
The innovation is the outcome of the work done by a team of six students as part of project work. The car is likely to cost a mere Rs 50,000, half the price of Tataââ¬â¢s Nano.
They claim that the car can run perfectly well at a speed of 80 km per hour and bear a load of eight quintals. The most attractive feature is its fuel efficiency at 30 km per litre of diesel.
A worker sprays paint on a three-wheeler car in the shape of a ladies handbag made with steel plates in Hyderabad.
The handbag and shoe is part of a ladies series of creations by Indian car designer Sudhakar Yadav and the cars can run at a maximum speed of 45 kph (28 mph).
Sudhakar Yadav converts automobile waste into fancy vehicles.
