1. Notes on Indian car manufacture The growth of the new middle class in India has provided a market for Western style consumer goods including the motor car.

2. Automobile industry - India Renault and Nissan are joining forces with India's Mahindra & Mahindra to build a new $900m (£458m) car plant in the city of Madras (Chennai). Mahindra, India's fourth-largest car firm, will own 50% of the venture with its partners controlling the rest. Production is expected to start in 2009 and the plant will ultimately be able to turn out 400,000 cars a year. Foreign firms have flocked to India because of the economy's strong growth and low costs. Both Ford and Hyundai have already opened plants in Madras (Chennai).

3. India Motor Car Industry There has been a revolution in the small car market with the new development of the Tata Group's People's Car. This is a tiny motor car, retailing at around $2,500. Tata's promise This an ultra cheap, ultra small car, created for the common man in India - and it is an attempt to give millions of Indians the chance to participate in the benefits of India's strong economic growth.

5. Discussion questions Why is the Tata Nano so cheap to produce? Why is the Tata Nano so cheap to produce? How has the advent of cheap motoring affected Britain and its economy? How has the advent of cheap motoring affected Britain and its economy? What are the implications of cheap car manufacture in terms of the infrastructure of the Indian transport system? What are the implications of cheap car manufacture in terms of the infrastructure of the Indian transport system? What are the implications for the price of oil if Indian car ownership rises? What are the implications for the price of oil if Indian car ownership rises? What are the implications for global warming and for sustainability if car use rises in India? What are the implications for global warming and for sustainability if car use rises in India?