The citizens of India will soon be able to purchase the cheapest car on earth. It is only USD $2,500. It has no radio, no tachometer, no power steering, no power windows, no air conditioning, and one windshield wiper.
Indian engineers at Tata Motors have pared the car down in an effort that would make IKEA proud. The analog speedometer is only precise within +/-10 kph – but that’s okay, since it is fitted with a 30 horsepower engine.
Some corners were also cut with respect to safety, durability and emissions. Nevertheless, like discount airlines, or Ford’s Model T in turn-of-the-century America or MIT’s OLPC (aka the “$100 laptop”), this car will revolutionize travel in the moped and bicycle clogged streets of India.