0
India's Tata Debuts $2,500 Car
Tata Motors' Nano could add millions of cars to India's already congested roads
By Jim O'Neill
|
Posted Jan 10, 08 10:34 AM CST
|
Share
(Newser)
–
It has no radio, air conditioning, or passenger-side mirror and only one windshield wiper; but what Tata Motors' newest offering, the Nano, does have is a price tag that could help millions of people become car owners: $2,500. The tiny 4-door sub-compact, the world's cheapest car, was unveiled at India's biggest auto show yesterday, prompting fears that it will worsen pollution and make India’s already crowed roads impassable, reports the AP.
Nobel laureate and climatologist Rajendra Pachauri says he’s “having nightmares” about the low-cost car. But company chairman Ratan Tata says the Nano, which averages 50 miles per gallon, will pollute less than motorcycles and will meet all safety standards. Experts say the car could force other manufacturers to lower their prices.