Ratan Tata's Journey Through Tata Motors

Updated: Tuesday, February 5, 2013, 13:54 [IST]

Ratan Tata who heads the $100 billion Tata Sons conglomerate has been in the thick of all major developments in Tata Motors - starting from the development of the completely indigenous car - the Tata Indica, the take over of British luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, the development and launch of the cheapest car in the world - the Tata Nano.

Here is a look through what automobile fans can consider as an adventurous journey that has surpassed several challenges. This is Drivespark's tribute to one man who has been instrumental in making Tata Motors a brand that the world knows and for changing the perception about low cost cars through the Tata Nano. Thank You Mr Ratan Tata.

1991 - Surprising Succession

Ratan Tata took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991 replacing his uncle JRD Tata who had been chairman from 1938. Ratan Tata was not considered as the right successor to JRD Tata. Interestingly, even Mr Tata himself was surprised by his selection. It is another story that all his critics have been silenced now by the successes Ratan Tata has achieved for Tata Sons.

1998: Tata Motors First Passenger Car

Tata unveiled Tata Motors' first passenger car - Tata Indica. The Indica is the first Indian car to be indigenous developed in the country. Mr Tata, despite being a millionaire, did not have any airs in driving the Indica to his office in Bombay House every day.

2004: The Daewoo Heavy Trucks Takeover

Tata Motors purchased Korean brand Daewoo's commercial vehicle business. Tata Motors got access to heavy trucks as well as the technology associated with them. Ratan Tata's contribution in the deal is said to be vital by people associated with the takeover.

2004: Tata Motors Enters New York

Ratan Tata was instrumental in making Tata Motors an international brand. We all know the JLR story, but several years before that Tata Motors was listed in the New York Stock Exchange.

2008: Tata Nano Unveiled To The World

Ratan Tata unveiled the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano in 2008. The Nano continues to be a car that interests Ratan Tata. Mr Tata has stated that he has been disappointed by the Nano's performance so far in the market. He had recently stated that Tata Motors had already started working on revamping the Nano.

2008: Jaguar Land Rover Takeover

Ratan Tata is an adventurous businessman and this was proved when he acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from American carmaker Ford for an astronomical sum. While many said Tata Motors could not handle such prestigious international brands, Ratan Tata has proved them wrong. Now JLR are Tata Motors' most profitable arms.

2012: The Hunt For the Successor

The hunt for Ratan Tata's successor started in 2010 itself. The eventual successor Cyrus Mistry was himself in the committee entrusted with the job of finding Ratan Tata's successor. Once Mr Mistry was officially announced as the future chairman of Tata Sons, Mr Tata spent most of his time training his incumbent.

2012: Retirement

The legacy of Ratan Tata will definitely be compared with his predecessors. Indian auto enthusiasts will ever be thankful to Mr Tata for bringing international attention to the Indian car building industry through the Tata Nano as well as making two iconic car brands Indian by taking over Jaguar and Land Rover. Drivespark wishes Mr Tata a happy and productive retirement.