The Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car unveiled in India on January 10, should be available for order in Malta in just 14 months' time, according to local Tata agents FMC Motors of St Venera.
Johann Cuschieri explained that the Nano will go into production in September and over 173,000 orders have been registered so far. One million units will be produced in the first year, after which exports to eastern Europe will begin. The Nano, four years in the making and involving 500 engineers, will then reach western Europe, he said.
Earlier this month, Tata chairman Ratan Tata ruled out any overseas sales for at least two years, but last week he left open the possibility of bringing the Nano to Europe and hinted it would happen with Fiat's help.
In India, the four-seater 625cc hatchback, of which there is also a Luxury spec and a diesel in the works, will sell for $2,500. The low-cost car has one primary role in life: putting bums behind the wheel in much the same way as low-cost airlines aim to put bums on seats.
The mono-volume's interior space has been widely praised: at 3,100mm, the Nano is eight per cent shorter than the Maruti 800, its closest competitor in India, but 21 per cent roomier, with a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 33 PS multi-point fuel injection petrol engine.
The Nano was given a lavish launch at the New Delhi Motor Show, but the world's press has questioned its environmental credentials, worried too about armies of Nanos swarming India's congested roads. According to Tata, the Nano's "tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers manufactured in India today" and Mr Cuschieri insisted the Nano's engine is already Euro 4 compliant.
But as European city cars score higher in the cool and green stakes, badge snobs should wait before sharpening their knives. It is undeniable that Tata, almost certain to be the new owner of Land Rover and Jaguar, has sparked a revolution - not wanting to be left behind in low-cost production and sales to target the world's largest emerging markets, marques are now speeding up their R and D programmes in this bracket.
That as well as the concept of a recyclable, throwaway car using battery power becoming a reality, and the notion that production of low-cost cars, could throw struggling economies in Africa a life-line.
Now Ford has announced it will build a small car in India within two years, and the alliance of Nissan Motor and Renault, enjoying success with its low-cost Logan sedan, plans a $3,000 car with Bajaj Auto.
VW, Toyota, Honda and Fiat have also said they are looking at small cars for emerging markets as more people are able to aspire to car ownership thanks to economic growth. Only eight in every 1,000 people own a car in India.
Meanwhile, FMC Motors are already planning the Nano's Malta marketing campaign. Reluctant to be drawn into revealing its potential price tag, Mr Cuschieri said the agents are confident local demand for the Nano would be strong.
Price-wise, it will be interesting to see how the Nano fares after getting the Malta tax treatment.
Johann Cuschieri explained that the Nano will go into production in September and over 173,000 orders have been registered so far. One million units will be produced in the first year, after which exports to eastern Europe will begin. The Nano, four years in the making and involving 500 engineers, will then reach western Europe, he said.
Earlier this month, Tata chairman Ratan Tata ruled out any overseas sales for at least two years, but last week he left open the possibility of bringing the Nano to Europe and hinted it would happen with Fiat's help.
In India, the four-seater 625cc hatchback, of which there is also a Luxury spec and a diesel in the works, will sell for $2,500. The low-cost car has one primary role in life: putting bums behind the wheel in much the same way as low-cost airlines aim to put bums on seats.
The mono-volume's interior space has been widely praised: at 3,100mm, the Nano is eight per cent shorter than the Maruti 800, its closest competitor in India, but 21 per cent roomier, with a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 33 PS multi-point fuel injection petrol engine.
The Nano was given a lavish launch at the New Delhi Motor Show, but the world's press has questioned its environmental credentials, worried too about armies of Nanos swarming India's congested roads. According to Tata, the Nano's "tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers manufactured in India today" and Mr Cuschieri insisted the Nano's engine is already Euro 4 compliant.
But as European city cars score higher in the cool and green stakes, badge snobs should wait before sharpening their knives. It is undeniable that Tata, almost certain to be the new owner of Land Rover and Jaguar, has sparked a revolution - not wanting to be left behind in low-cost production and sales to target the world's largest emerging markets, marques are now speeding up their R and D programmes in this bracket.
That as well as the concept of a recyclable, throwaway car using battery power becoming a reality, and the notion that production of low-cost cars, could throw struggling economies in Africa a life-line.
Now Ford has announced it will build a small car in India within two years, and the alliance of Nissan Motor and Renault, enjoying success with its low-cost Logan sedan, plans a $3,000 car with Bajaj Auto.
VW, Toyota, Honda and Fiat have also said they are looking at small cars for emerging markets as more people are able to aspire to car ownership thanks to economic growth. Only eight in every 1,000 people own a car in India.
Meanwhile, FMC Motors are already planning the Nano's Malta marketing campaign. Reluctant to be drawn into revealing its potential price tag, Mr Cuschieri said the agents are confident local demand for the Nano would be strong.
Price-wise, it will be interesting to see how the Nano fares after getting the Malta tax treatment.