Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

NRIs Can Help Reducing Global Warming

Posted : July 26, 2008 at 2:33 pm [IST]

Alto

i10

StarA

Nano

Images of Indian Small Cars

In one of my visit to UK in 80s, I had to go to search for a friend of mine in Heathrow area in London. It was an Indians dominated residential colony. I found mostly Mercedes parked outside. My friend later told me that Mercedes were for the show off of status. Americans lead the fashion or fad of automobiles’ popularity shows. These days Americans are patronizing big gas guzzling SUVs. The price of gasoline though has doubled; still SUVs are still the craze. Up to few years ago, whenever, we talked to some parent with children in western countries, he would invariable make it known that his wards there had their own house and big car/s. It has become the same for those in India too.

I love my Alto. It is cute and comfortable for up to four. We have traveled near around Delhi in it.

With India growing as a hub of small compact cars, I get a strange idea: Why can’t NRIs in the developed countries blamed for contributing maximum emission to global warming own an Alto, i10, or forthcoming Star A of Maruti Suzuki or Ratan Tata’s dream car Nano as an additional car in family for going near around for shopping? With price of gasoline going as high as India, a small-fuel efficient car will save on fuel cost too. Can NRIs start approaching the car dealers for Indian cars? The American dealers with no knowledge of anything outside US may start thinking of importing Nanos for Indians.

Interestingly, Nanos are getting good response from inside the country as well as abroad. Fiats may sell it in Europe. After establishing its brand in India, Tata Motors may also go for setting up some facilities in US too or other countries too. After all with $2500 as price tag, every one can afford it in those countries.

Will NRIs become the brand managers for the Indian small cars? Can NRIs help Indian automakers in reaching US ahead of the Chinese automakers?

Will some readers in US comment on this old man’s silly suggestion?

- Indra

Category: Industry/Management |