Lanka, Tata's first export market for Nano

Tata Motors on Saturday said it has begun exporting Nano with the official launch of the small car in Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka has become the first international market for the Tata Nano, with the people's car being commercially launched in the country today," the company said in a statement.

The car will be sold through its 50-year-old distributor in the country, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO).

"Tata Motors has already established a firm footprint in international markets...The Tata Nano will play a major role in the next phase of growth of our international business," Tata Motors Managing Director and Group CEO Carl-Peter Forster said.

Talking about Nano's future journey, Tata Motors Managing Director (India Operations) P.M. Telang said: "The stupendous international response to the unveiling of the Tata Nano in 2008 established that customers across the world were awaiting such a car.

"We have already formulated plans for its introduction in several countries, to be implemented over the next few years." He, however, did not share details such as which could be the next global market for Nano.

Nano, touted as the world's cheapest car, is now produced at Sanand in Gujarat for the Indian market after initially being producing at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand.

Tata Motors had started sending the Nano to overseas markets from April with shipment of 498 units. Besides Sri Lanka, the firm was exploring possibilities in different neighbouring nations such as Nepal.