Miscellaneous Thoughts: Tata Nano passes Euro crash tests, Americans keeping their cars longer

Yes – it’s time for some random things we’ve come across today on the internet as we come closer to wrapping up this Tuesday.

Tata Nano passes European crash tests: The very small and very cheap Tata Nano has passed the European front and side impact standard crash tests. The crash tests included a 40 percent offset and a 35 mph frontal impact. The tests are also tougher than those that exist in India, currently the Nano’s only market. – AutoCar

Study finds that Americans plan to keep their cars longer: A study conducted by AutoPacific found that Americans intend on keeping their cars longer as concern grows about the industry and the overall economy. AutoPacific said that the number of new car shoppers planning to keep their cars for more than 4-years has gone up to 59 percent, compared to 45 percent from the year before. The study found that more than 72 percent of the general public is not planning to buy a new car for more than a year. – AutoWeek

Chrysler Financial repay $1.5 billion to U.S. government:  Chrysler Financial said today that it has repaid $1.5 billion in loans that it had received from the U.S. Treasury Department to fund loans and incentive programs for Chrysler shoppers. – Reuters

– By: Stephen Calogera