| True, economy is getting tougher and tougher | | | | "They are cars, but they are a step up from a |
| each day to the detriment of shoppers. This is | | | | motorcycle," said George Magliano, the director of |
| why shoppers are finding ways to slash their | | | | automotive-industry research for the market |
| expenses and be friendly to their pockets. Auto | | | | research company North America at Global |
| shoppers, for instance, are searching for some | | | | Insights. Still, for many individuals, "It is the |
| affordable alternatives. The ask: Where are the | | | | difference between walking and driving a car." |
| cheapest cars? | | | | Other affordable cars include the Geely MR sedan, |
| Amid crises, auto buffs simply cannot resist the | | | | Geely HQ SRV SUV and Chery A1 sedan. They |
| need to cut costs without compromising quality. In | | | | are all sold in China. Included in MSNBC's top 10 |
| the United States, the cheapest car is the Chevy | | | | cheapest cars are the Hyundai I10, Tata Indica, |
| Aveo with $10,895 as base price. But more | | | | the Fiat Palio and the Renault Dacia Logan. The |
| affordable cars are set to invade auto industry. | | | | cars are reliable like the Bilstein shocks. This is |
| Indian automaker Tata Motors said that it will be | | | | because their quality is closely guarded. |
| selling the Nano which has a sticker price of | | | | The 10 feet long and five feet wide Nano is |
| approximately $2,500 thus making it the cheapest | | | | equipped with two-cylinder gas engine that offers |
| car around the globe. It will be far cheaper than | | | | 33 horsepower and a top speed of just over 60 |
| Suzuki Maruti 800 which sells for 195,000 rupees | | | | mph. "The Nano may open the door for |
| equivalent to about $4,994. | | | | middle-class families in India to get behind the |
| For now, the cheapest car in India is the Maruti | | | | wheel of a vehicle for the first time," said Cody |
| 800. The car costs slightly more than China's | | | | Lusk, president of the American International |
| Chery Automotive QQ priced at 34,499 yuan or | | | | Automobile Dealers Association. "That's what is |
| $4,781. Unfortunately, none of these affordable | | | | happening globally. There is a lot of interest and |
| vehicles are available in America. Why? They are | | | | excitement that the middle class in emerging |
| restricted by some reasons. The Nano, for one, is | | | | markets can get in a motorized vehicle." Lusk |
| barred from entry because it did not meet the | | | | added there is a great disparity between |
| territory's safety and emissions standards. | | | | "inexpensive and cheap. |