India's Tata Technologies unveiled the prototype for a $20,000 electric car that can carry up to four passengers in Detroit Wednesday as it set out to challenge more costly rivals. 

"The eMO project symbolizes the coming of age of Indian automotive engineering," said Warren Harris, president of Tata Technologies. 

"It is a tangible example of the capability of Tata Technologies to engineer a full vehicle -- a first for any India-based engineering services company." 

Tata Technologies does extensive consulting work for clients such as Ford and Chrysler, offing the "competitive advantage" of its experience in both developing and mature automotive markets, Harris said. 

The prototype is Tata's "business card," said Kevin Fisher, who heads the group's vehicle development team. 

The objective was to demonstrate it was possible to build an electric vehicle with an attractive price, thought not with the intention of producing an electrified version of Tata Nano, which is built by Tata Motors.