India's largest auto maker Tata Motors will introduce its small car Nano -- considered

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the world's cheapest -- in Nigeria within the next 18 months, ahead of its planned launch in Europe.

The car would be available for about NGN 360 for the base model, same as the price in the Indian markets. The car carries a price tag of Rs 1.23 lakh to Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom) in the Indian capital for three variants.

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

Tata Africa Nigeria is a subsidiary of Tata Africa, the Indian auto major's African venture.

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

"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.

The cost of an used car usually starts at NGN 500,000 in the country.

Ray, however, declined to give details whether the 'cheapest' car of the world be assembled in Nigeria or it would be sold as a completely-built-unit.