India's Tata open to Fiat selling Nano cars

TURIN, Italy, July 22 (Reuters) - Indian car maker Tata Motors Ltd (TAMO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) is open to Italy's Fiat SpA (FIA.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) helping to sell the ultra-cheap Nano model overseas, Chairman Ratan Tata said on Tuesday.

Tata, India's third-biggest car maker, plans to launch the Nano later this year, priced at about $2,500.

"We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence. I am open to consider a partnership," he told a news conference at a forum promoting cooperation between Italian and Indian companies.

Fiat has a joint venture with Tata to manufacture and distribute cars, engines and commercial vehicles.

Tata also said the Tata group was in talks with Italian defence and aerospace company Finmeccanica SpA (SIFI.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) about supplying helicopter parts.

Fiat Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said the company was in talks with Tata about making buses and trucks.

"We'll see if there are the conditions for us to go forward," he told reporters on the margins of the forum.