GM mulling ultra-inexpensive Tata Nano competitor for Asia?

Chris Paukert — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, GM, Rumormill

_{2010 Chevy Spark - Click for high-res image gallery}

What will the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, do to the auto market? Bring friends. We're hearing that General Motors could be planning a Tata Nano competitor that would go on sale in Asia for under $4,000. GM's new executive vice president for international operations, Nick Reilly, told The Wall Street Journal that offering an ultra-cheap car the low-cost space is of interest to the automaker, but only in certain markets.

The manufacturer would likely be SAIC-GM-Wuling Automotive Co., which is made up, in part, of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Reilly made his announcement in Brazil, though, which is GM's third largest market. So we'll at least keep a tiny ear out for a cheap Latin American model, too.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark

[Source: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal]

GM mulling ultra-inexpensive Tata Nano competitor for Asia? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat still considering new brand for low-cost car

Noah Joseph — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Fiat

Fiat hasn't ruled out the possibility of launching a new low-cost brand, according to the latest reports. The new brand - which could, like Abarth, revive one of the many dormant auto marques under the Fiat auto umbrella - would target arch-rival Renault's Dacia subsidiary in offering consumers (primarily in developing markets) cost-effective modes of transportation, in line with the Tata Nano. Those in the know will point out that Tata and Fiat have close ties, and the Indian automaker could be called to contribute to the project.

Although Fiat recently acquired Zastava, reports indicate that the Serbian plant will be used for the upcoming Fiat Topolino and not for any new lost-cost vehicle. The latter could, instead, be built by Fiat's subsidiary in Brazil, where the Italian automaker already produces vehicles and enjoys a strong market share. Sources suggest the new vehicle, code-named Project 327, could go on sale in Europe as early as 2011 with a €6000 sticker price.

[Source: Automotive News Europe (sub. req'd) and Reuters]

Fiat still considering new brand for low-cost car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 May 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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