Remembering Ratan Tata and cars close to his heart beyond the Nano

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and a stalwart of Indian industry, passed away Wednesday night at the age of 86 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. He had been admitted due to age-related health complications and was under intensive care for the past few days. He left an indelible mark on India’s automotive industry, and is fondly remembered not just for the iconic

Tata Nano

, but for a broader legacy that spans multiple achievements.

His passion for revolutionizing mobility extended far beyond the "world’s cheapest car." Here, let’s take a look at some landmark projects that were close to Ratan Tata’s heart.

Tata Indica: India’s first indigenous car

The 1998 launch of the Tata Indica was an important moment for India's automotive industry. This hatchback, designed with the Indian consumer in mind, boasted practical features such as a spacious interior, fuel efficiency, and affordability - all of which made it a hit with the middle class. The Indica was a statement to what we today know as ‘ Atmanirbhar Bharat’ as it represented the company's ability to develop and produce a car entirely in India.
The car’s initial reception was nothing short of extraordinary. Within a week of its unveiling at the 1998 Auto Expo, the company received over 1.15 lakh bookings. At the time, the Indica was priced at just Rs 2.6 lakhs and came with a 1,405cc, four cylinder engine that produced 60 hp and 105 Nm of torque. It went on to become one of the best selling cars of its time, with peak sales of 1,42,440 units in 2007.

Tata Nano: People’s car

While the Indica made its mark, the Tata Nano became a global sensation when it was unveiled at the 2008 Auto Expo. Ratan Tata’s vision behind the Nano was clear: provide affordable, safe, and reliable transportation to Indian families who could not afford a conventional car. It was dubbed as the “People’s Car,”. Well, there’s an interesting story behind the development of the car.
The inspiration for the Nano came on a rainy day when Tata saw a family of four on a scooter. The idea to offer a safer alternative popped up in his mind, and he thought about a small, affordable car with a price tag of just Rs 1 lakh at launch. The Nano featured a 624cc engine with 35 hp of power and a mileage of over 20km/litre. Though it didn’t sustain its initial momentum selling just under 3 lakh units in its lifetime, the Nano remains one of the most iconic cars in the Indian automotive landscape.

Jaguar Land Rover: A bold acquisition

In 2008, Ratan Tata took a major leap by acquiring Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) from Ford for $2.3 billion, marking Tata Motors' entry into the global

luxury car market

. At the time, JLR was struggling, with outdated designs and falling sales.
The story of Ratan Tata’s acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover is both dramatic and defining. In 1999, Tata visited the U.S. intending to sell his struggling car business to Ford. However, during the meeting, Ford Chairman Bill Ford reportedly humiliated Tata, telling him, "You don’t know anything about cars, why did you even start this division? We’re doing you a favor by buying it." Deeply hurt, Tata walked away from the deal and returned to India.
Fast forward nine years, and the tables had turned. Ford's acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover had failed, and they approached Tata to sell the now-loss-making brands. This time, when Tata agreed to buy the iconic British brands, Bill Ford's tone was different. He reportedly said, "You are doing us a big favor by buying JLR, thank you."
Ratan Tata’s acquisition not only salvaged JLR from financial troubles but also transformed the company into a global leader in luxury automobiles. Today, under Tata Motors' ownership, JLR has not only expanded its product lineup but has also contributed significantly to the company’s growth.