The Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, is being launched in India. Will it help Indians who aspire to buy a car or will it lead to further environmetal problems?
Costing just 100,000 rupees ($1,979; £1,366), the Nano is being launched in Mumbai first, before going on sale across India over the next 10 days.
Tata is aiming the car at the motorcycle market, which sells seven million vehicles a year in the country.
Environmental campaigners have warned that the car will add further pressure on India's road infrastructure which already struggles to cope with existing traffic.

The Tata Motors Nano, the world's cheapest car at around $2,000, will hit Indian roads in July and, with demand set to far outstrip supply, the first 100,000 owners will be picked at random.Mr Ratan Tata on his vision and conviction - innovation & improvisation - and the giant leap of faith which rolled out 'People's Car'. Speaking about the Rs.100, 000 worth car and its conceptualization; Mr. Tata is believed to have said that it happened by chance. Here is what Mr. Tata had to say about it all!

Tata NANO Variants:

• Tata Nano Standard (BSII* and BSIII*): This is the standard version, in three color options, single-tone seats, and fold-down rear seat.
• Tata Nano CX (BSII* and BSIII*): Equipped with heating and air-conditioning (HVAC), two-tone seats, parcel shelf, booster-assisted brakes, fold-down rear seat with nap rest. This variant is available in five color options.
• Tata Nano LX (BSIII*): It encompasses all the features of CX .It has complete fabric seats, central locking, front power windows, body colored exteriors in three premium colors, fog lamps, electronic trip meter, cup holder in front console, mobile charger point, and rear spoiler. Many of these features are presently not available on the entry-level small cars in the country.
   
  Since the Nano was first shown, its main production plant had to be moved following land protests, the company posted its first loss in seven years, its shares have dropped 70 percent and its credit rating been downgraded with the threat of further downgrades remaining.

  The first 100,000 Nano owners will be randomly picked from bookings made April 9-25, and their prices will be guaranteed, said Tata, who more than a year ago promised a 100,000 rupee ($1,980) dealer price at a glitzy unveiling.

  The basic version, excluding taxes, will still be 100,000 rupees. But once taxes and dealers charges are included, the Nano will be in showrooms for 112,735 indian rupees in some parts of India, while top-end models with air conditioning and other extras will cost close to 200,000 rupees.

  A European variant will be launched by 2011, and the company is also looking at the United States as the economic situation has made low-cost cars even more attractive, Tata said.

  "This was never conceived as the cheapest car, but as providing transport to those people who never owned a car.

  "Driven mainly by the change in demand that we see elsewhere in the world, we suddenly felt we had a product that could be of considerable interest as a low-cost product in western Europe, eastern Europe, the UK and even the U.S.," Tata said.