Tata may export 'Nano' to promising mkts

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New Delhi, May 13:: After making a wave worldwide with unveiling of the cheapest car from India, Tata Motors on Tuesday said it will consider exporting the Rs 1-lakh car to many promising markets, including the US.

"There is nothing that we can not export Nano to any country. Tata Motors also has plans for exports. But the Tata Nano will be initially marketed in India," Tata Motors spokesperson said.

The announcement comes close on the heels of the US publication Conde Nast Portfolio's report that 'Nano' would not be sold in the US.

"The model (Nano) won't be sold in the US but has the potential to radically alter the market for manufacturers here. Tata-inspired followers are already revving up their engines," Conde Nast Portfolio reported while naming Ratan Tata as one of the 73 biggest brains around the world.

The spokesman, however, said that after positioning firm in the domestic market, the company would consider exporting the car.

"The company has not yet finalised specific exports markets and timelines. The Nano will meet the prevalent norms of any country it is marketed in," the spokesperson said without mentioning any specific country, including the US.

Tata Motors usually does not export any of its products in the first few years of launch, he added.

The list of '73 Biggest Brains in Business', compiled by Conde Nast Portfolio, featured Tata for his 2,500 dollar car - Nano, along with the likes of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and chief executive of investment bank Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein.

Tata Group, which recently snapped up British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover for a 2.3 billion dollar deal, had unveiled the world's cheapest car 'Nano' during the Delhi Auto Expo this year and roll out is due in the second half of this year.

To compete with Nano, Bajaj Auto Ltd, the country's second largest two-wheeler maker, yesterday announced a joint venture with Renault-Nissan to produce a 2,500 dollar car. The 'ULC' code-named car, which would be rolled out from a brand new plant in Chakan (Maharashtra), would be available in the Indian market by 2011.

In the recent times, the Indian auto market has caught the fancy of many global players too. US car maker General Motors had announced it would introduce a small car here by 2010, which would be priced below its existing vehicle in the segment 'Spark'.