Asia , with its teaming masses and booming economies, is arguably the final frontier for the world's automobile industry. With rising incomes among the 2-billion-plus populations of India and China, the growth potential for car sales is staggering.

So, too, is the potential for more pollution, traffic problems and oil consumption. To meet demand while mitigating the environmental impact, most Asian governments are encouraging local automobile manufacturers to produce smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

The challenge will be to assure that this new trend towards small, doesn't end up meaning just cheaper cars, and ultimately more cars on the road, with much more carbon emissions.

China, India and Thailand are the three Asian countries that have thus far emerged as the leaders in the small-car race.

While China is pushing for new technologies, such as hybrids, India 's Tata has already launched the world's smallest, cheapest car on the domestic market.

Thailand, already the world's 14th largest vehicle exporter, has successfully attracted six auto manufacturers (five Japanese and Tata) to the kingdom to participate in its "eco-car" programme.

Examining the booming trend in the small-car market, the dpa International Service in English is publishing a special package, due to run on Aril 15 at 0500 GMT, with the following features:

Beijing - FEATURE: Chinese car firms diversify in battle for "green" market By Bill Smith (700 words/Asia-Automotive/China)

New Dehli - FEATURE: India squeezes prices to mount small-car challenge By Siddhartha Kumar (700 words/Asia-Automotive/India)

Bangkok - FEATURE: Thailand claims "eco" niche in Asia's small-car production By Peter Janssen (700 words/Asia-Automotive/Thailand) (dpa)