The £1,400 Tata Nano is launched today in Mumbai, in a move that could bring affordable motoring to the masses in India.
Although the car is low on creature comforts - no airbags, air conditioning, radio or power steering - it seems there is no shortage of willing buyers.
Analysts are predicting 500,000 applications when Tata starts taking bookings next month for "the people's car".
But demand is such that customers could face a wait of up to three years to get their hands on the 10ft tiddler, according to some estimates.
According to one besotted reviewer in India, the tiny car is "ultra cool", although others have worried about the impact it will have if taken up en masse by India's burgeoning population.
And the styling and grunt on tap from the 624cc engine hasn't impressed everyone.
"Basically, it's a shadow of a car, with a functioning motor and wheels," said the Kipp Report.
