Mr Ratan Tata on his vision and conviction - innovation & improvisation - and the giant leap of faith which rolled out 'People's Car'
Speaking about the Rs.100, 000 worth car and its conceptualization; Mr. Tata is believed to have said that it happened by chance. Here is what Mr. Tata had to say about it all!
"I was interviewed by the Financial Times [British newspaper] at the Geneva Motor Show and I talked about this future product as a low-cost-car. I was asked how much it would cost and I said about Rs1 lakh. The next day the Financial Times had a headline to the effect that the 'Tatas' are to produce a Rs 100,000 car. My immediate reaction was to issue a rebuttal, to clarify that was not exactly what I had said. Then I thought, I did say it would be around that figure, so why don't we just take that as a target. When I came back our people were aghast, but we had our goal."
At the hindsight, Mr Tata recalled how nervous he was during the launch of Indica - their company's foray in to car manufacturing - a first in its rich history.
"We were venturing into a new segment. We are again venturing into a new segment but in a product line in which we have 10 years of experience now." said Mr. Ratan Tata.
Final Words:
In the end, considering all things in perspective, Tata Nano will (and as last heard) definitely set up a trend of the sort and debut a manufacturing era of low cost and eco friendly automobiles.
No doubt, it is too early in the day to comment about its safety standards and environmental consequences, the car will stand up to the Tata repute of providing mobility with safety and an efficient mean of transport to match the requirements of a small middle class Indian family whose aspirations have been growing at a 'never before seen' pace to posses mobility, enhanced status and rise in self-esteem.
With only about 250,000 Nano cars to roll out of Tata stable each year, 'doubting Thomas' (traffic woes & congestion) will however be assured of the fact that this figure will only act as a drop in the ocean on ever increasing vehicles population. As for the environmental concerns, Tatas have assured of the vehicle adhering to EURO IV norms which is fair enough for a car maker to bring in latest vehicles in the markets.
For price, Indian middle class (even those considering buying a motorbike) will be swayed enough to purchase a Nano powering for even higher aspirations.
As regards road safety and decongestion, it is Indian Government's prerogative to deal such issues even as Mr Tata at a recent Nano launch press conference agreed to fund Car driving schools that may teach masses to drive in safety and under sanity.
For now, Tata's Nano car has truly taken millions on 'the flight to fancy'!