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Ratan Tata, the veteran Indian business tycoon, passed away at age 86. He will be remembered for his many contributions to the country through his vision and leadership as the Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2002. Besides being the leader of one of India's oldest and most pretiguise conglomerates, Rata Tata also made significant contributions to the Indian automotive industry.
Establishment of Tata Motors
It was during Ratan Tata’s tenure as Chairman of Tata Sons that Tata Motors was established and later went on to become one of the biggest names in the automotive industry, not just in India but abroad. Tata Motors started as a locomotive manufacturer, but now, it is one of the key players in the passenger car segment.
Introduction of Tata Indica
The Tata Indica, India’s first indigenously developed car, was Ratan Tata’s brainchild. He played an important role in introducing this vehicle, which was launched in 1998. Ratan Tata wanted the Indica to be designed and developed with the needs of Indian buyers in mind, keeping factors such as fuel efficiency, affordability, and practicality in mind.
Introduction of Tata Nano
Ratan Tata also played an important role in introducing the Tata Nano. He wanted to build a car for the Indian market that would be affordable and a safer alternative to a two-wheeler. He introduced the vehicle to the world at the 2008 auto expo, pitching it as a cost-effective but safe and feature-rich compact car with a target price of Rs 1 lakh.
Acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover
Under Ratan Tata’s leadership, Tata Motors acquired Jaguar Land Rover, the iconic British carmaker. This expansion led to Tata Motors’ expansion beyond the Indian domestic market and the brand’s entry into the premium and luxury segments. Tata Motors’ acquisition of JLR from Ford for $2.3 billion also saved the British carmaker from an impending financial difficulty.
Induction In The Automotive Hall Of Fame
Following Tata Motors’ acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover, Ratan Tata was inducted into the prestigious 2015 Automotive Hall of Fame. The Indian business leader joined automotive legends such as Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, and Luca Di Montezemolo, former chairman of Ferrari, in receiving the honor.