I recently read several critical safety reviews of small cars in Indian newspapers including the Tata Nano. The reviews show that these small cars do not adequately protect their occupants from harm in the event of a head-on collision at 60 kilometres per hour. There is no doubt that these tests are objectively carried out and the potential damage to life and limb is very real.

The base starting price of the Nano in 2014 is US$  2,300. around twice that of several popular brands of motorcycles. Therefore the relevant safety question to be asked here is: who is the intended target buyer for the Nano? If this aspect is considered, the real question will be: how much increased security will a potential buyer experience in moving up from a motorbike to a Nano? The street scenes below will speak for themselves. 

The Tata Nano and its competition

Above: The Tata Nano and its competition