INDIA'S OWN, ON THE ROAD

This article concerns the newly-developed Indian-made car, the Tata Indica. A subcompact five-door hatchback the size of a Peugeot 206, it has already won an 8.2 percent share of India's total passenger car market. The Indica was styled in association with an Italian design firm, IDEA; the engine was designed in association with a French company, Le Moteur Moderne; and the rest of the car was designed and made in Pune, India. Aggressive print and TV marketing have created an emotional bond between the car and consumers. Competition from foreign manufacturers is fierce and the arrival of the Indica has sparked a price war. The Indica 2000 is compliant with European emissions regulations and export is planned.