The word ‘Cheap’ doesn’t signify something of low quality rather it can be spelled as affordable or inexpensive. Here we are talking about cars so though people will feel happy that there are certain cars which won’t burn a hole in their pocket yet they would feel bad if quality wise the car underperforms.
Tata Nano which is manufactured by Tata Motors had already created a buzz long before its launch. It was touted as the cheapest car available on earth. Of course it is (going by the records) and will remain so for sometime before another one dethrones it from that pedestal. Tata Nano made a spectacular entry into the world of automobiles taking the industry by storm. Long queues were seen in front of the booking counters. People had to wait for months before they could lay their hands on this tiny beauty. It created ripples in the western world particularly the developed nations. The Rs one lakh car was created with the vision to enable every household to own a car and this perhaps pinched the rich nations.
Nevertheless the Tatas were not the first ones to manufacture affordable cars. The trend to make affordable cars had begun long time back in the west. Who can ignore the Fiat 500 which was manufactured in Italy? Similarly Germany had its Beetle from the Volkswagen stable and France its Citroen 2CV and Renault 4CV. The US too had its own in the form of Ford Model T.
So here we present the top 10 cheapest cars in the world starting from number 10: -
1. Tata Nano
The launch of Tata Nano created a sort of history in the automobile industry. At a time when high-end motorcycles started sporting a price tag of somewhere around $2000 in a country like India the Nano was offered at $2,497. The cash registers started ringing immediately. This tiny car is not only about price but other factors too. The car was well-planned and everything was indigenous. However there were skeptics who argued (maybe they were true to some extent) that air pollution will increase because many people will be able to afford a car like this.
The list comprising the top 10 cheapest cars in the world ends here. Clearly the winner is Tata Nano which is standing at number one position for the moment. Maybe for sometime it will be able to hold its place. Nano did not make a sudden entry rather it was a planned one. The buzz was created long before its launch. Of course the manufacturers had to face setbacks while setting up its manufacturing facility. When finally that issue was settled the Nano rolled on to a red carpet welcome. The popularity and success of the Nano will encourage other car manufacturers to come up with models which may turn out to be cheaper than the Nano but till then it will remain the bestseller.
2. Cheery QQ
Standing tall at number two and holding it firmly the China made Cheery QQ costs $4,781. It is surprising that one can get two Nano cars at this price; still the Cheery holds its ground. The car has lot of similarities with the erstwhile Matiz from Daewoo (later sold off to GM/Chevrolet) and this resulted in trademark issues which were sorted out after much deliberation.
3. Maruti Suzuki 800
Tagged as the ‘bread and butter’ car of Maruti, the Maruti Suzuki which is priced at $4,994 was once the most affordable car in India. The Maruti 800 is a mini hatchback that is great for city commuting. Many families which dreamed of owning a sedan but could not afford one found an excuse with this car.
4. Geely MR
The Geely MR comes at $5,500 and is slightly cheaper than its elder brother. Both the cars are similar. However the MR with its sporty powertrain feature acts slightly differently than the HQ SRC. Otherwise for an enlightened car buff there is no striking difference between the two cars.
5. Geely HQ SRC
The Geely HQ SRC is offered at $5,780. The car is built on the platform of Daihatsu Charade (1980 model). When the Daihatsu Charade was introduced in the auto market it was considered as a good and dependable car. It remains to be seen how far the Geely can take its legacy.
BMW claim that this is the fastest SUV available in the market and with a speed of zero to sixty in 4.3 seconds, the claim seems to be absolutely correct. The cost is a massive $ 88,900, and at 5000 lbs it is one of the heaviest vehicles in this list. But with BMW’s superb engine power behind it, it is a great machine.
Another product from the BMW stable, this ute is also a great machine. Slightly slower and heavier than the X6, it is however backed by the reputation of BMW’s excellent craftsmanship. BMW’s zero maintenance facility makes it virtually cost-free with regards to any maintenance problems which may arise.
Sleek and sporty, this beauty has been in the forefront of the SUV field for many years. Even the cost factor of $ 104,700 does not seem to deter those who feel it is one of the best SUV’s available. It’s twin turbo-charged V8 engine generates 500-hp with twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8, for a zero to 60 speed in 4.4 seconds.
Mercedes Benz has been renowned for luxury and speed and quality. They have maintained their excellent quality in this V8, 6.3 litre 503 horsepower engine, It has a maximum speed of 155 mph, which may not be as high as the other SUV’s but it is still good enough to make this list.
The fastest model made by Jeep, it breaks all the myths that Jeep only has slow lumbering vehicles in it’s roster. It has a 420 horsepower, 6.4 litre V8 engine and can streak from zero to 60 in 4.8 seconds. It’s price of $ 45,000 makes it a very good buy in this category.
Sometimes the roads aren’t built properly- they are either too bumpy or too old which is what makes them rocky and uneven. In some countries, the streets are practically full of pot holes and if there are no lights on the road at night, an accident cannot be avoided.
Young people, that is, teenagers, tend to believe that traffic rules are meant to be ignored. Hence, they are constantly speeding through the streets and jumping red lights. What they don’t understand is traffic lights exist for a reason and when they zoom past at a red light, they will crash against a tree or another vehicle.
Children today are in a hurry to grow up and they think of driving as the ultimate milestone. He then takes out the car without any parental supervision and naturally, he does not know the first thing about it. One wrong move and he will find himself reversing in full speed and the rest as they say, is history.
Some drivers are easily distracted-they feel that nothing will happen in that one minute as they try to finish another task, but unfortunately, they are wrong. It is strongly recommended that you avoid rummaging through your bag or putting on your lipstick when you are in the drivers seat.
Drugs like cocaine, LSD and marijuana tend to cause hallucinations and make everything look different. Therefore, driving under the influence may seem okay to some but it is a definite no-no. You will believe that the tree is on your left but it will actually be on your right and you will end up losing your license or worse, your life.
Popular throughout the world by the sheer volume of cars it produces and sells in almost all countries; Toyota majorly caters the car and Light Commercial Vehicle segment. With marques such as Daihatsu, Hino, Lexus, Scion and Toyota, this giant manufacturer produces cars of mass appeal, elegance and comfort. With stylish cars regularly churned from its basket it would be hard to beat it from its top position.
General Motors is a United States manufacturers and the second largest automaker in the world. This company has been ranked as the largest manufacturer of motors in the world though its share dwindled due to the financial crises and declaration of bankruptcy. Currently it is focusing on its core brands Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Its biggest markets are North and South America and China; however it’s trying to put a foothold in other emerging markets like India, Germany, Spain, etc.
Ford Motor Co. introduced the revolutionary method of large-scale manufacturing of motor vehicles. It is the third largest manufacturer in the U.S behind Toyota and General Motors. The Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo are the brands under its automobile segment. With a majority of its market share in North America and the U.S, Ford Motors is rapidly expanding its foothold globally with its ‘Ford’ brand.
This Italian automotive major has a 20% stake in Chrysler since 2009 and its cars are best sellers in Brazil, Argentina and Poland. Its long list of ventures with local companies in India, China, France, Turkey, Russia and Pakistan has ensured that this company has made a mark on the auto industry. Fiat is constantly involved in R&D and its ‘Multiair’ engine won the ‘Best Engine of the Year 2010’ in the International Engine of the Year Awards for its innovative engine technology.
Renowned for manufacturing luxury and performance vehicles, this German company also owns the MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. It’s famous for its BMW 3
Just like a computer, cars have fans that work over time to make sure that you car does not come to a screeching halt every time the engine heats up. Most cars come equipped with mechanical fans and while they get the job done, they also take a lot of out of the car.
Similar to the mechanical fan, the regular pumps steal that power which should work towards moving the wheels faster. This is why you should go out and buy its electric counterpart and keep your car in sparkling condition till you decide to buy a new one!
We all know how horsepower is created- the air that is sucked in by the car’s engine travels till the fuel and creates the mixture. Naturally, if this amount can be enhanced, the horsepower will subsequently increase as well. Air Induction units do just that and the best part is that they tap into the fuel economy as well.
If the air induction unit des not appeal to you, you can always increase the capacity of your carburetor and add to the existing horsepower. This means that if you have a 4 barrel capacity, you should add to it and make it 6 barrel. Fortunately, many companies out there create state of the art carburetors because they understand that a small change could make all the difference.
Upgrading a carburetor will do the trick as well and this is possible if you transform it into a fuel injection. This performance car upgrade will increase the horsepower that your car runs on and keep the readings precise.
The Chevrolet Traverse has four doors and the ability to accommodate 8 passengers at the same time. The horsepower is great and the engine runs very smoothly. The speed requirements have been kept at par with that of a family which is why it doesn’t exactly go very fast. It costs about 28 thousand dollars.
The Ford Escape has four doors as well but can seat on 5 passengers in one go. It is available in 6 different designs and therefore, models. The car can reach a speed of about 28 mpg and 22 mpg when the driver is on the highway and the city respectively. The Ford Escape is for 19 thousand dollars.
Similar to the Ford Escape, this SUV allows 5 passengers to sit comfortably and exit through 4 different doors. It is available in 9 models and the most popular one is the Limited Auto series. For a price of about 18 thousand dollars, it is quite reasonable and the engine is very reliable.
A new model of the Honda CRV was introduced this year- it has 4 doors and can seat 5 people together. It comes along with a navigation system which is why it is slightly more expensive and will cost you about 25 thousand dollars.
The Chevrolet Equinox entered the market with 8 models in tow out of which the LTZ AWD is most sought after this year. One can fill in 2.4 liters of fuel and reach a speed of 32 mpg even when the terrain is steep. It will cost you about 28 thousand dollars.
This fraud is kick-started when a dishonest person approaches that industry which looks into the repair and maintenance of cars. He tells them that he would like to be associated with such an accident that will make sense or exist nowhere else but on legal documents and papers. Because insurance companies tend to involve themselves only when the claim is above and beyond 1000 dollars, these criminals get away with it.
The criminal will orchestrate a seemingly real hit and run accident and go running to your insurance company. You will have no choice but to pay up the required amount.
The swindler will run towards a car that is moving at a great speed and suddenly come to halt, that is, squat, in front of it. An involved individual will appear in his car out of no where and move adjacent to the victim’s who will then try to keep himself from having an accident. The worst part is that chiropractors and doctors are usually involved in such cases.
This criminal in this case will move towards you and force you to have an accident. This is usually done in such intersections that are confusing simply because they have too many lanes and turns. Therefore, when you are traveling on such a street, make sure a car doesn’t overtake you from your left and force you to collide into them.
This technique is usually carried out during that time of the day or year when nobody really drives about. This is because the criminals want to make sure that there are no eye witnesses around. The swindler will patiently wait at the mouth of the intersection and smash his car into a passing vehicle. They will then allow their own ‘witnesses’ to speak to the authorities and you will be in major trouble.
This car has sold 32 million units till date and bags the number one spot on this list. The style is unbeatable, the price is affordable and it is reliable and trustworthy. According to statistics, the company sells this car every 40 seconds. Even though the design has changed consistently over the years, it has remained a favorite among the regulars.
The car was initially known as “Project 176” and was launched in 1994. It replaced the Fiat Uno and received a number of awards during 1995. It gained instant popularity due to its clean-cut look and gave companies like Volkswagen and Opel a run for their money.
This car replaced the above-mentioned Beetle and was also known as the “Rabbit”. The engineering is above-average, the price is low and the car is nothing if not dependable. It has sold 25 million units till date.
This car is said to be a “People’s Car” and was funded by Hitler very aggressively. Production began in 1938 and ended in 1979. This car was very popular during the post-war period. It was durable, powerful and very comfortable. The Beetle sold 2.3 million units.
The Ford Escort was introduced in 1967 and production was stopped in 2003. This “world car” was visually appealing and low-priced. The car gained immense popularity all over the world fairly fast. The sales were estimated at 20 million units.
It is the most widely used police Interceptor in North America. The V8 engine, rear-wheel drive and body-to-frame chassis makes it suitable for the job. Easily the most recognizable police car, it combines raw power and strength to chase down and ram the cars of fleeing suspects.
This mid-size executive car with its status and price is widely used by Diplomatic Protection Group. The 3.0l diesel engine gives it a high-performance compared to the civilian versions. The Germans use it in both sedan and station wagon designs. Along with its cousins in the previous series, it finds use among the forces in the Low Countries, France and UK.
Product of precise Japanese technology, this 4WD jeep can be seen all over the world serving with various law enforcement agencies, from Japan itself to third-world countries. It is the simple outlook, easy maintenance and cost that make it the first choice for many budget-restrained countries wanting a good vehicle for its forces. It has been in duty since the earliest of its model.
It is the high-performance version of the Lancer since 1992. Its 2.0L engine gives more than 300 horsepower. This large-engine sedan has been chosen by the forces of UK, Malaysia and Australia. It is ideal for sustained car chases and patrols because of its endurance.
Alfa Romeos stand for quality and that’s what the Italians want from their cruisers too. The ‘Gazella’ as all Italian carabinieri cars are called, heavily modified for the task is roaming the highways of the country. With newer generations of vehicles being inducted by the various agencies in Italy this one has been in service since 2006. It is pleasant to look at and not easy to shake off.
