The last blog I had scribbled was some time back and I had written about the TATA’s super computer. The first blog I am writing this year also happens to be about TATA , but this time around its not the super computer but a “super simple” car NANO.
Couple of days back TATA had unveiled its much awaited Rs. 1 Lakh car. It’s been in the news for nearly 4 years now ever since TATA announced its plan to build such a car. Much was talked about the car and both the industry people as well as the consumers were eagerly waiting for it to be released. There were very few takers for a concept like this. Most of us baring a few actually believed that this could be made.
Many people from industry came out with statements on the dream of Mr. Ratan Tata to build such car and why it will remain only as a dream and never see the market. There were even media reports that it will look like an Auto Rickshaw without doors. Reading all this I had imagined a design in my mind (being a mechanical engineer I had visualized more than one design, most of them no where resembling a car). But to the surprise of all TATA launched a car that by all means not only looks like a car but also looks attractive.
I first happened to see the pictures of the car in website during the lunch break I had between classes. Since I hadn’t slept the previous night and was a bit tired I first thought that I read a news article about the car and that the picture is of some other concept car. But a careful look at it the second time made me sit up and read the article more carefully. As I had already said I hadn’t imagined in my wildest dreams that the car would look like what it is.
I think one should thank TATA for keeping the common man in mind and creating a car that is supposed to be the cheapest in the world. Now that TATA has proved that it is possible to manufacture a decent car priced at Rs 1 Lakh, I think the market will be witnessing the launch of more such cars.
In recent years I have not been such a great fan of the TATA group as such, but looking at the vision and the commitment in bringing NANO I am sure to change my view. With TATA almost assured of bagging the Jaguar deal, if that comes through it can now target both ends of the spectrum. If the “ Law of unintended consequences” hold good this NANO will not only end the dreams of a common man owning a car but will also make way for India finding its way on the Global Manufacturing Arena. Right now China holds a huge portion of the global manufacturing outsourcing and is rightly called the manufacturing hub of the world. With efforts like this India is sure to cut into a considerable portion of the manufacturing pie.
Every Indian owes a Royal Salute to Mr.Ratan Tata for dreaming of a thing like this and more importantly giving shape to the dream.
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