Tata Motors Ltd, on the first day of the 9th Auto Expo 2008, wheeled out the world's cheapest car, priced at Rs.1,00,000 ($2,500). Here are key facts about the four-door, mini hatchback named the Nano, which is due to hit the Indian market later this year.
Looks: The snub-nosed car keeps in the tradition of the Fiat 500, Nissan Micra and the Smart.
Dimensions: 3.1 metres long, 1.5 metres wide and 1.6 metres high. Capable to seat four to five people.
Engine: A twin cylinder 623 cc, 33 horsepower rear mounted, all aluminium, multi-point fuel injection petrol engine. Capable to power the car to top speeds of 105 kilometres per hour (65 miles per hour).
Fuel Efficiency: 20 kilometres per litre, or 50 miles per gallon as claimed by Tata Motors.
Pollution: Exceeds Indian regulatory requirements and can meet strict Euro IV emission standards. In terms of overall pollutants, Tata says the car is better than two-wheelers manufactured in India currently.
Safety: Car exceeds current regulatory requirements with a strong passenger compartment, crumple zones, intrusion resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorage.
Initial Annual Production Target: 2,50,000 units to rise later to 3,50,000.
Price: Basic model priced at Rs. 1,00,000 ($2,500) plus tax and transport costs, which will bring on the road price to at least Rs.1,20,000. The price of two deluxe models that will include air-conditioning and other features to be announced later.
Nearest Domestic Car Rival: Maruti 800, part of Japanese-owned Suzuki Maruti stable whose base model sells for about $4,800 - nearly double the price of the Nano.
Nearest International Rival: China's Chery QQ which retails for $3,600 (enjoyed the cheapest car status until the release of Nano).
Sales: Tata will focus on selling the car in India for the next two to three years, before eyeing Latin American and Southeast Asian markets.
Market: India's car market is a huge draw because car penetration is just 7 per 1,000 people, compared to 550 per 1,000 in such countries as Germany or 476 in France, according to the Society of Indian Automobiles.
Company Details: Tata Motors is India's largest vehicle manufacturer with revenues of $7.2 billion in 2006-2007. It is the leader in commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, and the second largest in passenger vehicles. There are over four million Tata vehicles on Indian roads.