Taking the price advantage to customers beyond the national boundaries, Tata Motors is now set to introduce Tata Nano in Nigeria, Africa within in a span of next 18 months.

Considered as the 'world's cheapest car', the base model of the small car would be available for about NGN 360 which at par with prices in the Indian market.

Revealing the plans, Sudeep Ray, senior official, Tata Africa Nigeria, said, "Tata Motors will make the Nano available in Nigeria in the next one year to one and a half years."

"The launching of the Nano was branded as everyman behind the wheel and will benefit Nigerians because public transport systems like metro are not available here," he added.

Indicating `price' as its competitive advantage, Ray said, "The car (Nano) will cost NGN 357,480 (about Rs 1.16 lakh) in Nigeria, which is much less than the price of most second hand saloon cars sold here," Ray said.

In India, the car is available in three variants in price tag of Rs 1.23 lakh to Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom). The booking period extended from April 9 to April 25, 2009, during which 2.03 lakh applications were received. The company has declared the list of first one-lakh allottees at ex-showroom price.

The company also plans to launch the car in Europe by 2011.

Quoting a company spokesperson on cross-boundary roll-out plans, "The company has said that the Tata Nano can be marketed in other countries, but timeliness, modes and countries are yet to be finalised."