It's a hit! Experts, man on street give Nano 10 on 10

SMART CAR: The car, feel experts, is more than value for money with its 20 kmpl average and the smart price.

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New Delhi: Nobody wanted to buy Ratan Tata's concept of a Rs 1-lakh-worth People's Car when he first talked of it. Some five years later, when Tata Motors finally unveiled the 'Nano', Tata's friends and foes are lapping up this tiny four-wheeler like their own.

The critics initially derided the concept mainly on the basis of the price target, more so as oil and steel prices rocketed. But Ratan Tata still kept his promise and delivered the Nano almost at his target price, forcing global car makers to take note. In fact, many top atomobile giants are now scurrying for their own versions to meet growing environmental and cost concerns.

The 'People's Car', which got critics and well-wishers all awestruck at Pragati Maidan on Thursday morning, is now not only being talked about as the 'future car'.

Expert say it will also determine India's place in the global automotive arena and possibly give a leap to India's dream of becoming a global hub of small cars.

The car, feel experts, is more than value for money with its 20 kmpl average and the smart price.

Here are the first reactions of some of the most prominent industry experts as they told to CNN-IBN and various news agencies.

Jagdish Khattar, former managing director, Maruti Suzuki

"The car is good to look at. There is a space in the market between two-wheelers and the 800 (Maruti's small car). It will be a success if they deliver what they promised. And I see no reason why they can't."

Ramesh Suri, Chairman, Subros

"The best thing is that they have kept the price at levels promised at concept stage. It is good to look at. I can't say about the driving experience as I have not taken a trial."

Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd

"We cannot make a cheaper car. We don't know how to make a Rs 1 lakh car unless we sacrifice something. We won't go below the 800 in our product line-up, but this car may impact some of our Maruti 800 sales"

Anand Mahindra, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd

"I think it's a moment of history and I'm delighted an Indian company is leading the way."

Venu Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director, TVS Motor Co

"It is fantastic, outstanding engineering. It helps redefine the sector in the country. It has established new grounds."

P Sam, Group Head, Marketing & Sales, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt Ltd

"The Rs 1 lakh rupee car is not going to impact our potential customers. Our customers would buy our products for the sheer joy of riding."

Onkar Kanwar, Apollo Tyres Ltd

"I congratulate Tata. He has delivered what he promised."

P Balendran, Director and Vice President, General Motors India

"It's an exciting product. I don't think it will not affect small car market, but it may have an affect on the sales of two-wheelers and second-hand small cars."

Sylvain Bilaine, Managing Director, Renault India

"Tata's car is cute and he (Ratan Tata) is doing a great job. I would like to see in the coming months the retail price,"

Ashok Singh, Delhi Police Constable:

"It is a dream come true. I look forward to buying that car. My wife will be really happy."

G Colquhoun, Reader in Manufacturing Systems, School of Engineering, Liverpool

"This is an important step for Asian markets. I look forward to this car being introduced in European markets."

Next: People's Car — The Pros and Cons