“Businesses
need to go beyond the interests of their companies to the communities they
serve.”- Ratan Tata (former Chairman of The Tata Group)
It starts with a rainy day. The clouds
were pouring badly and the streets of Mumbai were filled with traffic. It was
the usual scene of any rainy day in Mumbai. But this day was going to change
something very big. Sir Ratan Tata was travelling in his car driven by his
driver. As he was looking outside the car window, he noticed a family of 4
people travelling on one single bike. This comprised of a couple and their 2
children. He was shocked at this sight. He immediately told his driver not to
drive close to them because the roads were slippery and they could lose control
and fall from the bike. Just then, a unique idea came to Ratan Tata. He decided
to make a family car approximately in the price equal to that of a bike; Rs 1
lakh. He didn’t want any family to
travel with so much of risk. The pain of a middle class family was felt and
understood by him.
Very soon, he conveyed this good news
in a conference meeting with the media. There were high expectations from this
exceptionally great Entrepreneur.
This was not appreciated by his competitors. They passed rude comments stating
it was impossible to make a car in just Rs 1 lakh. But Ratan Tata was firm on
his thought. His will power remained strong. The news of this car spread like
wild fire spreads in the jungle. Everyone was excited to see and own this
unique first of its kind car.
Meanwhile, the making of nano started.
This journey was filled many ups and downs for the company. After all, it isn’t
a cakewalk to manufacture a family car in just Rs 1 lakh. Even if the cost was
less, the quality of the car had to be the best. Ratan Tata made it sure from
his side that there was no compromise in the quality.
He appointed a project team of experts
under the mentorship of Girish Wagh. This team tried and tested all the
possibilities of innovation, different designs and engineering modifications to
keep the manufacturing costs below Rs 1 lakh as required.
Every design was required to cater to
3 basic needs; COST, REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS.
Finally, Ratan Tata selected one
design out of the 3 which were presented to him by the team. This was in 2005.
The nano style was refined by Design
House I.D.E.A in the mid 2006.
This car of Rs 1 lakh was named as
nano and was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo. This event witnessed an explosion
of media coverage.
The project was initially proposed to
be based at Singur, west Bengal. This was later shifted to Sanand in Gujarat.
March 2009 was the year when Tata Nano
was launched as “The People’s Car” at Parsi Gymkhana in Mumbai.
“We are happy to present the people’s car in
India and we hope it brings the Joy, Pride and Utility of owning a car to
families who need personal mobility”- these were the words of Ratan Tata at the
unveiling ceremony of Nano. He also said “A promise is a Promise”.
No one else other than the TATA’S
could accomplish this milestone. Hence, even today they remain one of the most
successful Family managed business
in India. Ratan Tata proved his loyalty towards the people who love the brand
but could not afford a car.
That Rainy day will always be cherished as the
birth of Tata Nano!!!
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