The Nano Car (Only $2,500)
World's cheapest car unveiled in India
Thursday, 10 January 2008 16:59
India has unveiled the world's cheapest new car.
The 100,000 rupee (€1,700) car brings car ownership closer for millions of poorer consumers in emerging markets but has also raised major environmental concerns.
The 4-seater Tata Nano is about half the cost of the cheapest car on today's market, a 25-year old model from Maruti Suzuki Ltd.
AdvertisementThe car, with an engine around 625cc, will go on sale later this year, according to Tata Motors Ltd.
However, environmentalists are worried that millions of the cheap cars will flood on to India's roads, many of which are already heavily congested, sending emissions levels sky high in Asia's third-biggest economy.
The company says it planned the car years ago as a safer and more affordable alternative for the millions who often ferry families of four, plus baggage, on motorbikes and scooters.
Tata has said it will initially produce about 250,000 Nanos and expects eventual annual demand of 1m units.
Ford this week said it would build a small car in India within two years, and the alliance of Nissan Motor and Renault plans a $3,000 (€2,000) car with Bajaj Auto.
Tata has said it will focus on the home market for 2-3 years before considering exporting the Nano to countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia
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Originally Posted by 3GFX
...probably about 50mpg too.
Isn't TATA the company who just bought Range Rover from Ford?? Who knows if this thing is successful I don't think it will be long before they hit north american shores, and are modified to meet our standards.. but at the same time it could be another Daewoo situation! But gas mileage on that thing must be pretty good with a .6 L engine
