The cheapest car in the world is often considered the Chinese-made Changli Nemica, an ultra-low-cost electric microcar available for under $1,000 USD (around £800), though it's basic and slow, fitting a niche for short-distance transport, while historical contenders like the Tata Nano also held the title, and modern budget options include the Wuling Mini EV in China or the Bajaj Qute quadricycle in India.
In 2008, Tata Motors launched the Nano—a compact car priced at just $2,500 USD, making it the world's cheapest car. The press called it "the pop star of the car world." Tata projected annual sales of 250,000 units. But in its first year, the Nano sold just 30,000 units—only 12% of projections.
No, there isn't a single car valued at $1 billion; the most expensive car ever sold, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, went for $142.5 million in 2022, but rare classic car collections, like the Sultan of Brunei's, can collectively exceed that value. While ultra-exclusive modern cars like the Rolls-Royce Droptail cost tens of millions, they are far from a billion dollars, with the record holder being a historic race car, not a new model, notes duPont REGISTRY News.
One-of-one cars are vehicles built as unique pieces. They often feature custom designs, finishes, and specifications that differentiate them from any other car. Luxury brands like Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Ferrari have produced these exclusive vehicles to meet the desires of their most discerning customers.
The lowest priced cars under 5 Lakh in India are Maruti Suzuki S-Presso at Rs. 3.5 Lakh, Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 at Rs. 3.7 Lakh and Renault Kwid at Rs. 4.3 Lakh.
The best small cars for 2025-2026 offer great reliability, efficiency, and fun, with top contenders including the Renault Clio for overall balance, the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i10 for reliability, the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo for value, and sporty options like the Audi A3/S3 or hot hatches such as the GR Corolla. Key factors are practicality, tech, fuel economy (hybrids are strong), and driving engagement, with many models offering excellent hybrid or electric choices.
The "$70 million dollar car" refers to a specific 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (Chassis #4153 GT) sold in 2018 to David MacNeil, the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, making him one of the world's most prominent car collectors, although other cars have since sold for more, like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe.
General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler are often referred to as the Big Three, although Chrysler has been surpassed as the third-largest U.S. automaker by Toyota of America.
A "poor man's Ferrari" refers to more affordable sports cars that share styling cues, mid-engine layouts, or performance characteristics with actual Ferraris, with the Toyota MR2 (especially the SW20 generation) being the most famous example due to its resemblance to the Ferrari 308/348, while other contenders include the Honda NSX, Acura NSX, and even older models like the Rover SD1 or Fiat X1/9, all offering exotic looks or handling at a fraction of the price.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei is the world's largest car collector, owning around 7,000 vehicles. His collection includes an incredible range of luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bugatti, many of which are custom-made exclusively for him.
Classic Bugatti models are likely to have fetched $30-40 million in private deals, but David MacNeil now holds the unofficial record for his $70 million Ferrari 250 GTO.
This is the world's most expensive car worth over $100 million. The 300 SLR.
Tata Nano was marketed as the cheapest car, thinking that it was enough to motivate people to buy it. But people did not want to be associated with a cheap car. Also, people thought that cost-effectiveness would come with quality compromises. Thus, bad marketing caused Tata Nano's failure.
Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy in 2025
The ratings are based on the averages of new vehicles' overall score, which factors in results from road tests, safety assessments and reliability and owner satisfaction surveys. Out of 31 car manufacturers, these are the top 10 best and worst car brands for next year.
There isn't one single "number 1" reliable car, as rankings vary, but Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus, along with Honda and Subaru, consistently rank at or near the top for overall brand reliability in studies from sources like Consumer Reports and What Car?. Specific models frequently cited for exceptional longevity and low running costs include the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry, known for being nearly "bulletproof" for daily driving.
But which vehicles does Musk drive himself on the daily? InsideEVs previously reported that in 2019, Musk said he drives a Tesla Model S Performance “Raven” along with a Model 3 Performance. If he's out with his kids, Musk says he opts for the Model X.
Kardashians reportedly can't buy new Ferraris, especially special editions, because the brand believes they (and other celebrities like Justin Bieber) don't uphold Ferrari's image and rules, citing issues like excessive car modifications (like Bieber's Nyan Cat wrap or Kardashian's heavily customized rides), public behavior, and potentially mishandling vehicles, which conflicts with Ferrari's strict brand exclusivity and resale policies. Ferrari maintains control over its brand by vetting owners, and actions like customizing or quickly reselling cars can lead to being blacklisted from future purchases.
The buyer of the $142 million 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé remains officially anonymous, but British car broker Simon Kidston purchased it on behalf of an unnamed client at a secret auction held by RM Sotheby's in May 2022. While rumored to be Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the buyer is described as a passionate collector, not an investor, with the funds establishing a Mercedes-Benz scholarship fund for young people.
10 cars that are the most fun to drive:
Toyota GR Yaris - 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds
Proves what we've long suspected: that a pukka road-going rally car is the best thing for tackling a modern B-road. Small and light, with punchy dynamics and a gutsy motor, it's a deeply compelling machine.
Best Automatic Cars Under ₹10 Lakh