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Tata Motors unveils cheapest car | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital Delhi. | Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital Delhi. |
The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels. | The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels. |
The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear. | The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear. |
It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer. | It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer. |
Its release comes as India's domestic car market is predicted to soar in the coming years on the back of the country's fast-growing economy and increased consumer wealth. | Its release comes as India's domestic car market is predicted to soar in the coming years on the back of the country's fast-growing economy and increased consumer wealth. |
'People's car' | 'People's car' |
Indian car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to $145bn by 2016. | Indian car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to $145bn by 2016. |
Company chairman Ratan Tata said the launch of the Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation. | Company chairman Ratan Tata said the launch of the Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation. |
Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Rajan Tata, Tata Motors | |
He said the car was "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all". | He said the car was "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all". |
Environmental critics have said that the car will lead to mounting air and pollution problems on India's already clogged roads. | Environmental critics have said that the car will lead to mounting air and pollution problems on India's already clogged roads. |
But Tata said the car had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles to the gallon, or 20 kilometres to the litre. | But Tata said the car had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles to the gallon, or 20 kilometres to the litre. |
The firm also said it would introduce a diesel version of the Nano at a later date. | The firm also said it would introduce a diesel version of the Nano at a later date. |
'Family transport' | |
At the unveiling ceremony Mr Tata said: "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. | |
"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. | |
"Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. | |
"Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions." |