Rs 1-lakh car to be most fuel-efficient: Tatas

Confident of starting work on the Singur project before the turn of the year, the Tatas today said the Rs 1 lakh car that would roll out from the new facility would be the most fuel-efficient car on the Indian roads.

"I can bet, whoever sees this car will fall in love with it," Ravi Kant, managing director of Tata Motors, said here.

Asked whether he would bet on the Trinamool Congress leader, who is spearheading an agitation against the project, too falling in love with the people's car, he said possibly even her.

While declining to comment as to what mileage the new car would give on Indian roads, he admitted the vehicle would be "more fuel efficient than any other car" keeping in mind the economic consideration of the targeted customers - youngsters and even college-goers.

Despite delays in getting the land, Kant said, the company is in the process of finalising other things related to the Rs 1,000 crore project (by Tatas and their vendors) that when completed will see a production capacity of 2,50,000 units on a two-shift basis.

"We are in a difficult situation. However, we have ordered machines and finalised 60% of vendors. We have placed orders with them and finalised architects," he said.

Asked whether the company was confident of meeting the announced roll-out timeline of mid-2008, he said: "Everything is being done in parallel. It's a very tight timeline and we are still sticking to mid-2008, may be 1-2 months here or there. Now its a question of starting the work on ground."