Some call it the “people’s car” and the “car for the common man.”

India’s Tata Nano makes its debut... promising to make the dream of car ownership a reality for India’s lower and middle class.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis. You’re watching Newsy.com. That was video from Austria’s TV 1.

With a price tag of just 100-thousand rupees—or less than 2-thousand U.S. dollars—the Tata Nano can call itself the world’s cheapest car.

CNET explains how Tata Motors found ways to cut production costs:

“The base model leaves off niceties like a radio, and obviously doesn’t have power windows or air conditioning. The 12inch wheels, held on with just three lug nuts—though our show car had 4. The starter motor is apparently adapted form one used in motorcycles.” (CNET)

Environmentalists are battling over the potential impact of the Nano, which the company hopes will put more Indian families on the road.

The Australian tries to capture the debate in one line:

“Depending on your perspective, it will either be the automotive Messiah for the world's poorest population or the coming plague.” (The Australian)

The BBC brings us an Indian carmaker who counters there’s no way to be “completely” green anyway:

“I’m all for a clean environment, but if you want a real clean environment go back to the cave age!” (BBC)

Z-D Net Asia suggests the Nano highlights India’s capacity to emerge as a global leader in technological advancement:

“India offers four key advantages to global auto majors--lower costs of operation, availability of talent, especially in the IT space, ability to carry out tests over different [and tough] terrains and weather conditions; and a potentially large domestic market.” (ZDNetAsia.com)

The Tata Nano wasn’t the only car unveiled Monday—so was the Rolls Royce 200 EX.

In fact, CNBC is calling it the “Tale of Two Extremes”— with the Rolls Royce 100 times the cost of the Tata Nano.

So what do think the Tata Nano will mean for drivers in India? Would you buy it?

http://www.tv1.com
http://www.cnet.com
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,62052443,00.htm
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25226542-5013404,00.html
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29835439