India Rolls Out World's Cheapest Car

(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»

Tata, having promised Oct. launch for $2,500 Nano, considers costly factory move

(NEWSER) - The promised October launch of a $2,500 car by India’s Tata Motors is in jeopardy after massive protests at its West Bengal factory, Der Spiegel reports. Led by the state's opposition leader, 30,000 demonstrators promised a "fight to the finish" for land they say the government acquired illegally. Tata insists its Nano will be delivered on time even if the factory must move. 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»

It's $2K, but the Tata Nano provides bang for your buck

(NEWSER) - India unveiled the world's cheapest car this week, and a few lucky drivers took the $2,000 Tata Nano for a test drive. Their reactions:

• “A surprisingly smooth ride. Thrifty transport is not meant to be this comfortable,” writes Randeep Ramesh in the Guardian. “Built for functional frugality, the Nano is a striking if not a beautiful car.”

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»