Customer deliveries begin in India next month and company chairman Ratan Tata is already talking American — optimistically parring the timetable down to maybe two years and six months. (A version of the Nano will appear in Europe in 2011.) In addition, the automaker is working on alternative fuels vehicles, including diesel, biofuel, and electric powerplants.

The Nano is a four-seater that returns 65 mpg and in appearance is reminiscent of the Smart ForTwo. India’s cheap labor pool has helped to keep the price low, although protests over the proposed site of a manufacturing plant delayed the car’s debut. A lottery system will be used to select the first 100,000 owners.

Yesterday, while caught in traffic, I was looking at the cars around me and in addition to spotting one of the Smart cars now on Fort Worth’s streets (there’s a dealership in Dallas), I noticed three Honda Fits. Although dwarfed by the still prevalent SUVs and my own Odyssey minivan, I couldn’t help but look at these trim, efficient small cars as pioneers. A year from now, I have a feeling they will be in the majority in the traffic jam and the SUVs will look more and more like the dinosaurs they are rapidly becoming.

Smart ForTwo

The insurance industry is regarding the Smart car as small, but safe although — as only insurance agents can do — the pros are quick to point out that smaller vehicles are riskier than big ones.

Uh, duh?

Hummer vs. Semi
ForTwo vs. Semi

You do the math.

Ford Focus Spiffier for 2009

The Focus SE coupe will get a sportier exterior for the new model year with a lower front fascia in a bid to European-esque design. There will be a new roofline spoiler and the standard wheels will be 17″ aluminum. The idea is to make the car more attractive to younger buyers. It’ll go on sale in August with a price take of $16,615 for the SE and $18,035 for the SES.

Ferrari GT California – Always Speedy

Ferrari is showing off a new eight-cylinder GT available as a convertible only with a hand-formed aluminum body. Under the hood look for a 4.3-liter V8 in the mid-front position. Estimates put the 0 to 62 mph rating at under 4 seconds. There’s a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, Brembo brakes, and a F1-Trac traction control system. The public debut is scheduled for the Paris motor show in October.