The Tata Nano changed the automotive industry three years ago when the minimalist machine debuted in India as the world’s cheapest car with a price of about $2,500.
Now, the manufacturer’s CEO believes the Nano could be sold in the United States within three years and would be the cheapest cars sold in the country.
“The U.S. is a very enticing market,” said Ratan Tata, CEO of India’s Tata Group in an recent interview with Automotive News. “We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal.”
The current Nano is a four-seater with a 32 horsepower and 624-cc, 2-cylinder engine mounted in the rear.
To compete in the U.S., the Nano would have to be amended meet American standards including adding power steering and traction control.
It’s estimated the Nano will cost about $8,000 in the U.S. The Nissan Versa is currently the cheapest new car in the U.S and retails for $11,750.
The new version of the Nano will also come with a bigger engine and “more bells and whistles”, according to reports.
Tata first discussed distribution of the Nano in the United States in 2011.
“We also recognize there is a market (for the Nano) not only in developing countries, but possibly in the developed countries,” said Tata and as reported on Reuters.com. “For the United States we need a car which has a larger engine and we need additional crash test modifications and we are in the process of doing it.”
Article Last Updated: September 8, 2021.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Bring it. I’ll buy 3.
Ok, so we basically have two years to figure out how to ban it.