The average price for a new car in the United States is now approaching $30,000. But there are an increasing number of good new cars for about one-third the price. Nissan, for example, will soon offer an even more economical entry level car for less than $10,000. And it will be the cheapest new car available in the United States. The no-frills Versa, which will not include air-conditioning or power windows, will cost $9,900 or about $1,000 less than the country’s current least expensive car. The 2008 Hyundai (10,775) and 2008 Kia Rio ($10,890) are currently the two least inexpensive cars in the United States. The Smart ForTwo, available in the U.S. for the first time in 2008, has a base price of $11,590. The new Versa is made in Mexico and is scheduled to be available Nov. 18. It will cost about $3,000 less than the current cheapest Versa. «A sticker price under $10,000 is certainly appealing to customers in an economy where people don’t have money anymore,» Robyn Eckard of Kelley Blue Book said in a recent interview in the Los Angles Times about the new batch of inexpensive cars available in the United States. Globally, nine cars are currently available for substantially less than $10,000. Tata Motors in India is planning to soon sell the Nano, a $2,500 car, and it will be the world’s cheapest new car. The Nano originally would have originally made its debut. But various governmental delays has postponed the controversial new car, which is being touted as a way to help alleviate India’s huge traffic problems. The new Versa will have a 1.6-liter engine, rather than the 1.8 liter offered on the current Versa. It will get an estimated 34 mpg on the highway, compared with 33 mpg currently. General Motors was the last automaker to offer a sub-$10,000 car in the U.S., selling its entry-level Aveo for $9,995 two years ago, according to Kelley. But it has since discontinued that version and raised the sticker price to $12,625. Ford currently offers sedans in India that sells for $9,000. Nissan sells a micro-compact called the Pino in Japan for about $8,000. General Motors is preparing to offer a subcompact in Asia called the Beat for less than $10,000. According to Forbes.com, the 10 cheapest current or soon-to- be offered cars in the world: 1. Tata Nano, $2,500; 2. Chery QQ, $4,781; 3. Suzuki Maruti 800, $4,994; 4. Geely MR, $5,500; 5. Geely HQ, SRO, $5,780; 6. Chery A1, $7,394; 7. Tata Indica, $8,894; 8. Hyundai 110, $9,096; Fiat Palio, $9,242; 10. Renault Logan, $9,477. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil