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Back in March of this year, the Tata Nano — dubbed “The People’s Car” due to it’s affordability — was unveiled in India, causing quite a stir around the globe.Â During the booking period, which ran from April 9 through April 25, nearly a quarter million were sold, with actual delivery beginning in July.

While the basic model of the Nano is relatively stripped down, the car has been widely hailed as revolutionary due to it’s most important feature: it’s $2,500 price tag.Â This price makes the Nano the cheapest/least expensive production car in the world.

Considering the tough economic times many of us our facing, coupled with the general woes of the U.S. auto industry, the idea of a small, fuel efficient and very cheap vehicle is certainly very appealing to the American consumer.Â That being said, would these factors be enough to make it worth it to Tata to sell the Nano in the United States?

According to a recent poll on Daily Fuel Economy Tip, it seems that bringing the Nano to North America is something Tata should seriously consider.Â Here’s how nearly 500 people responded when asked, “would you be interested in buying a Nano (the inexpensive Indian car) if it became available in the U.S.?”

No – Definitely: 48%

Yes – Definitely: 22%

Probably Not: 12%

Probably: 10%

Unsure: 8%

While the statistics may not be overwhelmingly in Tata’s favor, think of it this way: if 2010 auto sales come in around the currently projected 12 million units, and 20% of consumers did in fact seriously consider purchasing a Nano, Tata could conceivably sell 2 million or more cars.Â Granted this is a very simplistic overview that makes a lot of assumptions, but at the same time it’s not hard to fathom how a $2,500 car would be appealing to many Americans.

In addition to the financial appeal of the Nano, there is also the environmental appeal: according to Tata, the Nano is designed to achieve a fuel economy of around 50 miles per gallon.Â After last year’s spike in gasoline prices and the big push in the “green movement,” it seems that more consumers are looking to purchase smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.Â Both factors — fuel economy and size — play right into the Nano’s strengths.

That being said, there are some pretty obvious reasons why only 22% of respondents would seriously consider purchasing one of these vehicles.

According to Tata’s website, the standard Nano lacks air conditioning, power locks and windows, and a trunk that opens, so obviously anyone purchasing one of these cars wouldn’t be getting the “standard options” that most of us have become accustomed to.Â Additionally, you’re never going to mistake the Nano for a performance vehicle, especially considering it tops out at about 50 miles per hour.Â Finally, because the Nano is so small, you lose a lot of the uitility even a standard sedan provides.

Let’s be honest, you’re not going to cart around the kids to soccer practice in a Nano.

Taking all of this into consideration, it seems to me that the Nano would be a perfect commuter car: small, fuel efficient and cheap!

What do you think?Â Leave your comments below!