The Tata Nano is advertised as the “people’s car” and was launched this week in Mumbai amid a lot of controversy. Many have claimed the arrival of the world’s cheapest car as an “eco-disaster,” refereing to the hundreds of millions of potential new owners that the Nano’s affordable price tag will generate, resulting in a explosion in carbon emissions. Proponents argue that the Tata has the potential to replace many of the dangerous scooters that dominate Indian roadways, and also produce a large share of the transportation polution and danger. Is the Western commentary full of hypocrisy? 70% of all passenger and commercial motor vehicles in the world belong to Western countries, this accounts for only 15 percent of the world’s population. Maybe in stead of criticizing Indian consumers for pursuing more secure modes of transportation, we should focus on developing public transportation systems that are safe, reliable, and sustainable in both industrial and developing countries alike?