Produced 2009-2018 In the new Bantam, You don't need a tuk-tuk or a bike to get around for the same price. -2009 Indian Bantam Advert ------------------------------------------------------ Specs (EL) 43HP 53 PD FT Of Torque 4.3 Metres Long 1.9 Metres Wide ------------------------------------------------------ Credit to @Spitfire-747SP for project format idea
Prices (In USD first year car was/is being produced) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EL---$2500 EX---$2600 LX---$2800 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Options ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Front Plate Holder (Standard in markets that require front plates) 12-Inch Alloys (EX Only) Painted Bumpers (EX Only) Passenger Airbag (Standard on LX) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Story ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In 2004, River was looking to expand their business to more Asian country's that mostly relied on older cars. After looking at a map, they set their sights on India. They decided to produce a small hatchback/MPV to conquer the Indian car market. They decided they needed to make it cost under 200000 Rupees, which is about 2500 USD. A concept car was shown at the 2007 Verani Motor Show with great reception. Two years later, The Bantam started to arrive at Indian River Dealerships, and even an ad on TV showing the Bantam Passing a motorbike on a dirt road, reversing toward it, and knocking it over with the boot lid. When the Bantam was first launched in India, lines were out of the door of people just to get their hands on a Bantam. River's plan to get people to buy Bantam's instead of bikes was working, With over 7/10 of all trade-ins being motorbikes. sales were very good for the first 5 years of sales, but soon more cars similar to the Bantam were launched, stealing market share. The Bantam, aging, started sales declining, and eventually the car was discontinued in 2018. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notable Events ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Exports to Taiwan and The Phillipines begining in 2011 -Exports attempted to go to EU, Failed NCAP Test
