Tata unveils world's cheapest car


India's Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest car.

It has a £1,250 price tag that suddenly brings ownership into the reach of tens of millions across the world.

While the price has created a buzz, critics say the Tata Nano will lead to millions more cars hitting already clogged Indian roads, adding to mounting air and noise pollution problems.

Others have said Tata will have to sacrifice quality and safety standards to meet the target price.

But company chairman Ratan Tata said the car would be the least polluting car on Indian roads.

He said it would meet necessary safety standards.

"I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby," he said.

"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal.

"Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions.

"We are happy to present the People's Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility."