Nano starts overseas journey; Sri Lanka first destination

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Tata Motors on Saturday said it has begun exporting Nano with the official launch of the small car in Sri Lanka, with a price tag starting at LKR9.25 lakh (about Rs3.80 lakh).

"Sri Lanka has become the first international market for the Tata Nano, with the people's car being commercially launched in the country today (Saturday)," the company said in a statement.

The car will be sold through its 50-year old distributor in the country -- Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO).

"Tata Motors has already established a firm footprint in international markets...The Tata Nano will play a major role in the next phase of growth of our international business," Tata Motors Managing Director and Group CEO Carl-Peter Forster said.

A company spokesperson said the three variants of the car will be available at ex-showroom prices between LKR9.25 lakh (about Rs3.8 lakh) and LKR11 lakh (over Rs4.5 lakh). In India, the car is priced between Rs1.40 lakh and Rs1.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Talking about Nano's future journey, Tata Motors Managing Director (India Operations) P. M. Telang said: "The stupendous international response to the unveiling of the Tata Nano in 2008 established that customers across the world were awaiting such a car.”

"We have already formulated plans for its introduction in several countries, to be implemented over the next few years."

He, however, did not share details such as which could be the next global market for Nano.

Nano, touted as the world's cheapest car, is now produced at Sanand in Gujarat for the Indian market after initially being producing at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand.

Besides Nano, the company today introduced five more products in the commercial vehicle segment. It launched Tata Divo luxury buses, Tata Marcopolo low-floor buses, Prima 4928 tractor trailor, 1618 truck and a high-end variant of the Ace.

Tata Motors had started sending the Nano to overseas markets from April with shipment of 498 units.

Besides Sri Lanka, the firm was exploring possibilities in different neighbouring nations such as Nepal.

In 2009, Tata Motors unveiled the European version of Nano -- Nano Europa -- at the 79th Geneva Motor Show.

The company was expected to launch the car in Europe by 2011. The version in Europe is said to have airbags, central locking and would be Euro V emission norms compliant.

Although Tata Motors did not reveal any price tag for the Nano Europa, British media had predicted a price of over $6,000. The Indian edition of the car hit the roads in 2009 for about $2,500.