Just months ahead of the launch of its Rs one-lakh Nano, the world's cheapest car, automaker Tata Motors has started the process of expanding the dealership network for passenger cars.
Tata's passenger car brands currently include Indica, Indigo, Sumo and Safari and would be joined by Nano before the year-end.
In a public announcement today inviting applications from prospective dealers, the company said this would maximise their "opportunities, even as Tata Motors constantly expands its portfolio of passenger vehicle products and services, including the recently unveiled people's car, the Tata Nano".
While the applications have already been invited for dealerships in Delhi and adjoining Ghaziabad, the company officials said that similar exercise is also being carried out in other parts of the country, wherever there is a need for expansion.
Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata had unveiled Nano in January this year.
The first lot of Nano cars is expected to come out of the factory in Singur, West Bengal, by September-October. On Tuesday, West Bengal's Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said the first batch of Nano would roll out as scheduled before the Durga Puja.
However, the Nano brand so far does not find a mention in the available passenger car dealership application forms, which ask applicants to give their five-year sales and service estimates for six brands -- Indica, Indigo, Indigo-Marina, Safari, Sumo and Spacio.
According to the application form, the minimum net worth for any entity operating a dealership is Rs 50 lakh.
