Jaguar and Land Rover suitor unveils world’s cheapest car

Jan 11 2008 by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

THE company expected to buy two of the world’s most prestigious luxury models has unveiled the world’s cheapest car – the Tata Nano.

Tata Motors, which last week was named as Ford’s preferred bidder to buy the Halewood-made Jaguar and Land Rover marques, says the three metre-long, fourseat car will sell for 100,000 rupees (£1,200) and will bring the “comfort and safety” of a new car within the reach of thousands of families.

The Nano, also known as the People’s Car, will go on sale in India and nearby countries, but will not be available in the West.

Speaking at the unveiling at a motor show in Delhi, Tata chairman Ratan 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.

“We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility.”

Tata confirmed last week it was in detailed negotiations to buy the Jaguar Land Rover business from Ford, including the plant at Halewood that employs more than 2,000 people.