Tata Motor’s ‘Nano’ has been launched now and fetched mixed reactions from different sections of society. ‘Nano’ is definitely not the car for elite class so it is hard to expect any reaction form this section. Nano is said to be people’s car and people of middle-income level were eagerly waiting for the one-lakh car to be launched.

This is being said in media reports that Rs 1-lakh car may soon become the car of choice for taxi operators across the country or it will replace auto rickshaws from Indian roads. Several taxi operators had postponed their plans to buy Indica and other small cars and waited for Tata’s Nano.

Harish Sabarwal, the Federation of Delhi Transport Associations convenor, said:

If government grants permission, it could be a big hit in the tourist segment and also for intra-city usage. It may create huge employment opportunities.

It could also give the auto rickshaw manufacturers a run for their money. The reason is crystal clear, as it needs Rs 1.4 lakh on road (ex-showroom) to buy an auto rickshaw and now the same people would get batter model in just Rs one lakh. It would cost one lakh twenty-four thousand on road for consumers.

According to the reports, the car will have a three-cylinder 600-cc petrol engine with 33 bhp of power. It will also have a 30-liter fuel tank and four-speed manual gearshift.

It will have in-built air conditioning, front disk and rear drum brakes but no power steering. Tata has claimed that the car will have the mileage of 22 km/liter in city and 26 km/liter on highway.

Now, the major question is that will it get kind of success what Maruti 800 had received in 1980s. Maruti 800 was a sign of status symbol in Indian society and still it owns respect for the owners. Will Nano-owners get such recognition in society?

Who are the target customers of Tata’s Nano car - is the big question rising in Indian auto market. The increased income level has made largest section of country capable to own other costly small cars such as Hyundai’s Santro, Maruti’s Zen and others.One who can afford around Rs 2500-3000 monthly installment might be owner of this car. Where are the roads and parking spaces in Indian cities to digest such cars?