Did I see a figure of over 6k USD? So thats what, over 7k CAD. .. A basic Accent is sold for 10 grand and that includes 0% interest for 36 months. With 30 sec 0-60 Nano is nothing more than a moped on 4 wheels IMO.
As saf suggests above that is the whole point of it.
"Ratan Tata, the man behind the giant industrial conglomerate that owns Jaguar and Land Rover, shared Agnelli’s vision of affordable four-wheeled transport for the masses when he began work on the project in 2003. “I observed families riding on two-wheelers — the father driving the scooter, his young child standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.” "
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_reviews/article5945007.eceThere is a great deal to be said for a basic car that can be fixed under a shade tree with two wrenches and a screwdriver. There have been many. VW bug, 2CV, Fiat 500, Mini, Austin 7, Chevette to name but a few and maybe there should be more even in NA... perhaps the Hyundai Accent is as close as you can get with all the regulations.
Maybe Hyundai could produce an Accent minus: catalytic converter, airbags and the rest of the stuff, side intrusion beams, power steering, kid seat latches, multispeed wipers etc etc. for only $6k. That is, maybe they could produce a better Nano for Nano prices given a chance.