Here comes Tata Nano - Cute and cheap, it's Wal-Mart as wheels.

I loved that line from Detroit News columnist Laura Berman who describes "Tata Nano" as "Cute and cheap, it's Wal-Mart as wheels".

Tata Motors unveiled "Tata Nano" which priced at $2500 is the world's cheapest car. The Nano might have put a smile on millions of faces across India as people who ride the 2 wheelers can now switch to a affordable 4 wheeler. But what will this do to the chaotic traffic situations in cities across India. I think it will become a nightmare with tons of "Tata Nano's" hitting the streets every day. And what about "fender benders", deafening sound of horns.

Now what about "Tata Nano" in United States. My personal opinion it will not get thru stringent regulations here. Even if it does - will you drive it say on mackinaw bridge where couple of years ago a yugo got blown away due to 50MPH gale winds.

The specs of Tata Nano are as follows:

• Length: 3.1 metres
• Height: 1.6 metres
• Width: 1.5 metres
• Engine: Rear-wheel drive, 2-cylinder, 623 cc, multi-point fuel-injection petrol engine. Engine is rear mounted. Tata said it was the first time a 2-cylinder gasoline engine was being used in a car with single balancer shaft.
• Safety: Tata said the Nano has an all sheet-metal body, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat-belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tyres are tubeless.
• Environment: Tata said tailpipe emission performance exceeded current regulatory requirements, and the Nano had a lower overall pollution level than two-wheelers made in India. It said high fuel efficiency (20 km/litre) ensured low carbon dioxide emissions.