- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

World's cheapest car to go on sale in India

Subscribe
NEW DELHI, March 23 (RIA Novosti) - The cheapest car in the world, with a price tag of 100,000 rupees ($1,979) is about to go on sale in India, the owner of Tata Motors said on Monday.

"I think we are at the gates of offering a new form of transport to the people of India and later, I hope, other markets elsewhere in the world," Ratan Tata told journalists.

The 3-meter-long Tata Nano was first exhibited in January 2008, and was supposed to start coming off the production line last fall. However, a row with farmers over the purchase of land for a plant in eastern India's Western Bengal delayed its launch.

The dispute also means the company will only be able to produce some 50,000 vehicles until the main Nano factory in the western state of Gujarat opens next year. A lottery will be held to determine the first buyers.

The car, which does a maximum of 70 km/h (43 mph), is expected to go on sale at the beginning of April.

The basic model lacks luxuries such as airbags, air conditioning and a radio. However, more upmarket versions will eventually be available, including the slightly bigger Nano Europa, due in 2011 and expected to cost around $4,000.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала