Tata Nano is making for US market

The maker of the Nano, the world's cheapest car, said Tuesday it was developing a version of the vehicle for the US market with a larger engine and higher safety standards. "We also recognise there is a market not only in developing countries, but possibly for a low-cost car in developed markets," the chairman of Nano manufacturer Tata Motors, Ratan Tata, told reporters at the Delhi auto show. "For the US, we need a car that will have a larger engine, which needs additional crash tests, modifications, and we're in the process of doing this." The basic Nano, a stripped-back four-door vehicle launched at the Delhi show two years ago, costs about 2 ,500 dollars, while the top-end model with additions such as air-conditioning and a rear wiper costs 3 ,700 dollars. Tata received 206 ,703 bookings for the car when it began accepting reservations in April last year, but waiting lists are long because of difficulties in setting up a production plant. The Nano has sparked a race to create other ultra-low-cost cars for the Indian and other emerging markets.