Tata Nano hybrid planned
The world's cheapest car, the ultra-compact Tata Nano, is reportedly going to be joined by hybrid and diesel modelsThe Tata Nano is claimed to be world's most affordable passenger car, but could the Indian company be working on the world's most affordable hybrid?
Ratan Tata, the chairman of the Tata corporation, recently told the South Korean Maeil Business Newspaper that a hybrid version of the ultra compact car is being developed, but details are not yet clear.
A stop-start system coupled with a mild petrol-electric hybrid system could be one possibility, but considering the tiny size of the vehicle packaging a conventional hybrid system may prove difficult. However, with battery technology and hybrid technology advancing at rapid pace, Tata should have no trouble finding suppliers for its upcoming hybrid.
Tata is also reportedly working on a compact diesel engine for the Nano, which has been a runaway sales success in India.
There are plans in place to begin exporting the Tata Nano to several overseas markets, but with a huge backlog of orders in India, this isn't expected to happen for at least another year.
The Indian-made Nano is a right-hand drive vehicle, as are all cars sold in the Indian market. Australia is also a right-hand drive vehicle market, which would mean Australia would be a cost-effective export market for the world's cheapest car, and potentially the world's cheapest hybrid.
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