Tara Tiny challenges Nano for world’s cheapest car title

Tata rocked the automotive world when it fulfilled its promise of delivering a car that costs just $2,500 with the unveiling of the Nano minicar last month, but Indian carmakers are confident the bar can be set even lower. Tara International, an arm of the Bengal Enamel, claims it will deliver a car priced slightly lower than the Nano and in the process earn the title of manufacturer of the world’s cheapest car.

Tara has taken a significantly different route for the development of its car than the one Tata took. For example, Tara has partnered with Chinese electric giant Aucma to source an electric powertrain for its car (the Nano runs on petrol). According to the Economic Times, Tara will also source a 14-seat electric bus and possibly an electric motorbike from Aucma for the Indian market. Its new minicar, which is expected to be called the Tiny, will be able to seat four and will have a driving range of 62miles.

Tata has ambitious plans for its Nano minicar including possibly launching a version of the car in Europe in the next four or five years. Hopefully, the introduction of such cars will eventually spur mainstream carmakers to launch similar low-priced models with the safety and quality we’ve come to expect from them.