Tata Nano not safe of US roads

While it is the price of the Nano that will make headlines, it has had safety campaigners raising questions about the impact - quite literally - that this car will have for drivers and pedestrians.

Although the Indian automotive industry has made great strides over the past 20 years in aligning itself with international emissions and safety standards - and since 2000 European technical rules have been the basis for Indian vehicle regulations - on safety in particular it still falls well short.

Tata, which has the only crash-test facility in the country, said that the Nano "exceeds current regulatory requirements". And while it is not a deathtrap - it has crumple zones, seat belts and strong seat anchors - it is worth bearing in mind that total vehicle crash testing (rather than just frontal impact), airbags and antilock braking systems are not mandatory.

Without these, the Nano would not even be considered for approval in Britain or US. Adding them would double its price in India, which is why they have been omitted.