Tata Nano

The world’s cheapest car which sells for $2,500 in India is slowly making its way to Europe and the U.S. “Tata Nano, an itty bitty car with a price tag to match, costs just $2,500 in India. And now, after surprising the world with its minimalism, Tata Motors is ready to let its young vehicle see the world. Well on its way toward finishing a European model, Tata said this week that it’s also tinkering with an American Nano. However, the car will need to beef up before it’s ready to leave India. US and EU safety and emission standards are far stricter than India’s. The Nano’s two-cylinder, 623cc engine will need to be reworked before it can meet pollution caps. The company will add airbags, a stronger roof, and a different design for the back seats to satisfy seat-belts laws. These additions will take about three years to finish and likely more than double the price of each car. ‘The structural changes that would need to be made, the changes that would be required as far as emissions are concerned, and some of the features that would be appropriate to add to the vehicle for the North American market, obviously that would drive up the price point,’ says Tata executive Warren Harris in an AP interview.”