Tata Nano

Introduced: 2008
Design: Girish Wagh, Justin Norek, Pierre Castinel
Why it mattered: The first generation of Indian automobiles will probably not be remembered for aesthetics. Instead, the Nano's major design achievement is to be one of the world's cheapest cars. Its construction features several cost-cutting measures that some say would make it unsaleable in foreign markets, like the elimination of air conditioning and power steering. Still, the Nano could yet head West, and Detroit execs would do well to stay tuned.