Protests Threaten World's Cheapest Car

Tata Motors plans to take $2,000 car to Europe, US

(NEWSER) - India's Tata Motors rolled out its $2000 Nano car yesterday, six months late but with grander plans than ever, reports the Los Angeles Times. The company aims to sell the vehicle—10 feet long and less than 5 feet wide—not only to India's emerging middle class, but to the European and North American markets. More»

Jaguar, Land Rover acquisitions add dimension to Indian giant's broad base

(NEWSER) - Perhaps you’ve never heard of Tata, the Indian company that's the new owner of Jaguar and Land Rover—but it's already a $70 billion globe-straddling giant, the BBC reports, with major subsidiaries in a host of industries. Not content with dominating its fast-growing home market, Tata Motors sells cars in Africa, South America, and throughout Asia. More»

(NEWSER) - Indian automaker Tata has 203,000 domestic orders for the Nano—the world’s cheapest car—which will start delivery in July, Bloomberg reports. The first editions of the $2,500 vehicle will go out to just 100,000 eager buyers, who will be chosen by lottery and must put about $1,900 down. The groundswell of enthusiasm will net the company $501 million—and 17% of India’s auto market for the fiscal year ending in March. More»

Company to move factory building 'People's Car,' billed as world's cheapest at $2,500

(NEWSER) - Tata Motors has halted work at the Indian factory where it was producing its Nano model, billed as the world’s cheapest car. A 2-year-long land dispute escalated when West Bengal farmers trapped workers inside, the AP reports, and the company instructed employees to stay home this week. "A detailed plan to relocate the plant and machinery to an alternate site is under preparation," the company said today. More»

Automakers turn attention to the subcompact, abroad and at home

(NEWSER) - Ever-increasing gas prices, environmental concerns and demand in developing countries are leading worldwide small-car sales past those of larger counterparts, Newsweek reports. With cars like India’s Tata Nano set to overhaul the auto industry by offering new mobility to millions, US automakers are scrambling to retool their businesses to sells more small cars for smaller per-auto profits. More»