Tata Motors, which is considered in the lead to buy Ford’s luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands, will unveil the world's cheapest car at a motor show in India next month.

India's third-biggest car maker will showcase its $2,500 (£1,247) car at the Auto Expo in New Delhi on Jan 10, with a commercial launch planned for later in 2008.

The company has promised to sell the car for 100,000 rupees although Reuters reports that some analysts say high raw material costs may push the price of the "people's car" closer to $3,000.