Tata Nano – People’s Car for People of India From Tata Motors

If ever the history of cars be rewritten, then India’s leading auto maker and an industrial giant Tata’s Nano will be firmly etched in golden words as a car that became ‘a dreamer’s dream come true.’

There was a dream, and a dream team behind the most prestigious and challenging project ever undertaken by an Indian company. Nay, shall we say in all modesty, but for Tatas to launch a car price tagged at sub or near sub Rs 1,00,000 amount.

The dream was conceived by its architect (even by educational qualification) - Ratan Tata, about four years back when he heard Maruti Suzuki honcho belching out the now famous challenge of building a car at that ‘price’ was next to impossible.

This challenge not only fired Mr Tata but also his dream to set up a team of dedicated pros and ace auto experts to realise it in just shade under four years!

It was a sight when Mr Tata addressed a jam packed auditorium at Auto Expo 2008 last January at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi when the car was unveiled in front of invitees comprising Union Ministers, VVIPS, dignitaries and journalists.

Mr Tata in his unassuming yet charming fashion unraveled the mystery behind the ‘dream turned reality’ and the travails and the truth clearly gleaned out of his dreamy and sparkling eyes. The sense of relief was much more than evident as he explained the entire project without missing out vitals that would fail even a Sherlock Holmes who could possibly never be able to reveal in its entirety but for those of us who were present at the occasion, it was like the proverbial ‘from the horses mouth.’

Dream turned reality was not easy to come as costs had to be scaled to proportions that matched the sourcing of required part in terms of quality and deliverance. Power train, engine design, exteriors as well as interiors, all were challenging in their own fashion and yet integrated in to one ‘small yet ‘big’ car.

This project, according to Mr Tata, would not have been accomplished without techno savvy, young and ambitious engineers and pros, who put in their sweat and toil throughout the entire exercise.

There were all elements of a blockbuster in the making as one went through the motions but the project being prestigious as it was led by a dreamer-innovator and a true leader leading upfront, the result was all there to be seen in Nano.
For all ye doomsayers’ –be it environmentalists, competitors and ‘fence sitters’, Mr Tata gave a befitting reply and it was only ‘Nano.’

Nano in Gujarati aptly means ‘small’ and the name itself exuded the Gujarati ethos – by fate or otherwise (are you listening Mr Tata?). A family of four comfortably ensconced in the safety, comfort and ‘luxury’ of a car was exactly what Mr Tata dreamed all about when he conceptualized this prestigious project.

There may be more to Mr Tata’s ‘Nano’ car what with the entire world miniaturizing its individual plans (Bajaj – Renault, Toyota, and others to follow) to put up a small car. But then Tata’s Nano is in a different league having stolen the initiative definitely over the rest.

Choke the streets; let parking space shrink to millimeters Mr Tata with your Nano, but you have definitely brought dream to ‘reality’ on the streets with Nano for the ‘middle class’ Indian family.

Let the Indian farmer fire his imagination to use his Tata ‘Nano’ to ferry milk cans (perched precariously out of the car windows or placed on its hood. Allow him to transport his calves and implements. May the rural sari vendor take different route each day to cater to his clients with family in tow, or allow the cabbies using Nano to provide relief to bus passengers left in the lurch when there is a breakdown or strike!

Nano is here for sure, even before it hits the roads!

Mr Tata, shall we conclude for now? Forget environmentalist fume over emissions norms; let Government fight over bureaucratic and administrative hassles; and finally, even allow opponents to raise a ‘war cry,’

We shall only say this.

Mr Tata, you have made it ‘Nano,’ for all!