The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide is excited to share that its Affordable Cross Car project has been successful adopted in India and Sri Lanka.  

Originally launched in 2022, the Affordable Cross Car project provides FIA member clubs with freely available blueprints to construct a cross-car vehicle using locally sourced and inexpensive materials. By reducing the costs of construction, manufacture and import, the project has already enabled grassroots events and competitions in countries and regions where motor sport is growing. 

India is the latest country to adopt the Affordable Cross Car project as the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) works towards the establishment of a national championship using the Affordable Cross Car. The Federation has successfully developed two prototype Cross Cars, built by local manufacturers, which are in the final stages of testing and optimisation. The FMSCI, supported by an FIA engineering consultant, is establishing the technical and sporting regulations for the inaugural Indian National Affordable XC Championship will showcase the potential of the Affordable Cross Car project to transform the way individuals enter the competitive motor sport pyramid. 

Sri Lanka is using the affordable cross car as the base vehicle for off road motor sport within the country. It unveiled its first FIA Cross Car at the 2025 Asia Pacific Motor sport Championship (APMC), the first locally designed and built model under the FIA’s Affordable Cross Car initiative. They are on track to build both Level 1 and 2 cars offering greater variety. The agile vehicle can be utilised in several functions, from taster days and arrive and drive sessions to owner prepared competition.  

As the entry point for off-road motor sport, Affordable Cross Car complements other FIA initiatives such as ‘Motorsport in a Box’ which provides member clubs with the resources they need to host grassroots motor sport events in their communities to widen participation and accessibility in the sport. 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “The FIA Affordable Cross Car programme is vital to the development of grassroots motor sport in communities around the world and exemplifies our commitment to making motor sport more inclusive and sustainable globally. By enabling local construction and providing scalable event toolkits, the FIA supports Clubs and drivers at every level, fostering grassroots growth and talent development.” 

Valerio Iachizzi, FIA Secretary General for Sport, said: “The Affordable Cross Car project is a key way the FIA is bringing motor sport closer to communities around the world and making it more affordable. I am delighted that India is adopting it with so much enthusiasm, demonstrating its great potential to build national championships and bring new people into our sport.” 

Arindam Ghosh, FMSCI President, said: "This FIA-supported Cross Car project aims to create a new progression route for drivers seeking to advance into the Indian National Stage Rally Championship and Cross-Country Championship. The entire motorsports fraternity is eagerly waiting for the single-make series competitions to commence once the manufacturers complete their final testing with the high powered 600 cc and 900 cc motorcycle engines. In India cross car is at crossroad waiting for the signal to turn green”

For media enquiries please contact: 

• FIA Sport Communications Manager, Omar Sharif: osharif@fia.com 

About the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.