Nano - Greek word for "dwarf," is a small, affordable (at USD 2500), rear-engine, four-passenger car aimed primarily at the Indian market. Tata Motors has developed this car indigenously. Tata has already proved its car designing and manufacturing capabilities with their earlier launch - Indica. The design is cute and inspiring and the launch promises to fulfil dreams of millions of Indian families to own a car. But the question on everybody’s mind is that by fulfilling those dreams, are we not putting more pressure on the infrastructure (read roads) which is already chocked? It takes two hours to cover 50 km in peak hours on the roads of New Delhi. Even if 25% of two-wheeler owners in New Delhi become car owners, it will be a nightmare to drive through Delhi. Probably, Nano should be sold only in rural areas and small towns.

Xylo – a new SUV in the Indian market. A home grown design by an Indian manufacturer - Mahindra. Indian auto design has shown tremendous improvement over the last few years. But it may take some more time before they can match upto their European counterparts. Xylo is surely attractive, but lacks that true design integrity! The headlamps, the grill, and tail lamps may need re-work in the next avatar.