Move Over, Nano. Make Way For The Gleagle, The World's Cheapest Car

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

At the Beijing Auto Show, Geely had a whacko two-seater, gullwing adorned concept car on display. I didn’t deem in worthy of mention, along with the hundreds of other whacko concepts. I didn’t even snap a picture. I wish I did. If Chinese media is not mistaken, I missed taking a picture of the world’s cheapest car, cheaper than the Tata Nano.

According to China Car Times, the Geely Gleagle IG will hit the Chinese market in 2012 in China at an MSRP of $2,250. The Tata Nano is priced from $2,700 on upwards – if you can get one. Tata still has problems making the Nano en masse, a problem unheard of at Chinese companies such as Geely. A worldwide roll-out is planned for later – as a Volvo?

It is doubtful whether the entry model of the Geely Gleagle IG will sport the gullwings. Bought as parts, one of them should set you back more than the whole car. But with the wings – could it finally be the world’s first production flying car?

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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