World's cheapest car unveiled in India

World's cheapest car unveiled in India
Agencies Published: January 10, 2008, 13:25

New Delhi: India’s India's Tata Motors Ltd unveiled the world's cheapest car on Thursday, bringing car ownership closer to millions of consumers.

The four-seater Nano will have a dealer price of 100,000 rupees ($2,500), and will go on sale later this year. It costs less than half of India's cheapest car, the Maruti 800.

"Let me assure you and our critics the car we have designed will meet all safety norms and all foreign environmental criteria," Chairman Ratan Tata said at the unveiling.

The car has a rear-wheel drive, an all-aluminium body, a 623cc engine, a multi-point fuel injection system. It has a roomy passenger compartment with generous legroom.

"It's a dream come true," Ashok Singh, a constable with the Delhi Police. "I look forward to buying that car. My wife will be really happy."

Tata said the car would have a rear-mounted engine and travel 20 kilometres per litre of petrol. It would be offered in a basic model and two deluxe variants.

Tata said it would focus on the home market for up to three years before considering exporting the Nano to countries in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.