The Tata Nano, India’s low-cost compact vehicle, may soon hit the streets in the United States, according to the Washington Post . The same company that owns Land Rover and Jaguar reportedly wants to bring their incredibly affordable compact cars to American shores. For those in the market for something tiny and impossibly cheap, this might be your next major vehicular purchase.
In order to meet safety regulations in both the US and Europe, the Tata Nano would have to undergo a number of modifications and alterations. Since the tiny car’s two-cylinder engine can only muster around 37 horsepower, the company would need to overhaul the bits and pieces lurking underneath the hood.
According to The Car Connection , the Tata Nano wasn’t the hit the company was hoping for when the vehicle debuted in 2008. In addition to sporting a trunk that could only be reached from the inside, videos of the cars spontaneously bursting into flames were soon uploaded to the internet. Needless to say, the automaker’s dreams of success with the Nano were ultimately put on hold.
Despite never delivering on the proposed 2011 Tata Nano in Europe, Ratan Tata, the billionaire behind the Tata Group, claims that a newer, safer, and more user-friendly version of their affordable car will be available in both of the aforementioned markets within the next three years. The sticker price: under $10,000.
“The Smart and the Fiat 500 have high sticker prices, and people buy them because they are small cars,” Tata explained to Automotive News . “But everyone knows you put a lot of money into it. We hope that the sub-$10,000 car has appeal.”
When and if the Tata Nano makes its presence known in the US, the vehicle could face some steep competition from the Nissan Datsun , which will reportedly cost only around $3,000. Let the tiny affordable car wars begin!
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