It's a phenomenon that's set to take the steel and petroleum industries the world over by storm. Developing countries such as India, are forecast to face a sharp increase in demand for small, affordable cars.

Now, Tata, India's largest automobile manufacturer, is set to help meet the challenge. They've just unveiled a machine which signals a first for the automobile industry- a 'peoples car' that puts comfortable and safe transportation within the reach of thousands of families. The car in question is called the NANO.

Ratan Tata with the Nano.

Said Tata Motors head Ratan N. Tata said "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family."

The NANO, which looks similar to a Smart Fortwo, will comfortably seat four people and offers a great view of the road with a high seating position at each perch. NANO's nimble size and rear-mounted engine architecture allow it to maneuver effortlessly on congested roads.

Power comes from an all-aluminum, 0.62 litre engine that runs on gasoline. The engine is designed for maximized smoothness and fuel efficiency, and comes fitted with an advanced electronic management system and balance shafts to help meet this goal.

The Tata Nano will launch in India later this year, though as currently engineered it will not be available in North America.


Photo Credit : Tata