Story outline
- Ratan Tata and Nano's love story is almost 2 decades-long
- He revealed what inspired him to create India's first affordable car
- In his free time, he doodled Nano designs
- From a dune buggy, Nano transformed into a car
- In February, Tata took his custom-built 72V Nano EV model for a test ride
Ratan Tata's love for his creation - Nano - is an open secret.
The 84-year-old has always kept a people-first approach in his businesses.
In a special Instagram post on Thursday, the Tata Trusts Chairman shared that seeing Indian families on scooters with a child sandwiched between the parents on slippery roads motivated him to create the country's first affordable car.
The billionaire philanthropist said that he often doodled when he was free on how a safe two-wheeler should look. "One of the benefits of being in the School of Architecture, (was) it had taught me to doodle when I was free. At first, we were trying to figure out how to make two-wheelers safer," he added.
Every time, the vehicle would take up a different shape. The doodles transformed from four wheels, no windows and no doors to a basic dune buggy. And, finally, Tata decided it should be a car. "The Nano was always meant for all our people," he wrote.
The post has more than 531K likes in just two hours.
The businessman, who is a people person, imagined his beloved Nano nearly two decades ago.
On a rainy November in 2003, a drenched family of four commuting on their two-wheeler on Mumbai streets moved Tata. That day, the compassionate businessman decided to create India's first budget-friendly car, Nano, with a price tag of just Rs 1 lakh.
With high prices of steel, rubber and other elements, delivering the car within the Rs 1 lakh mark became challenging for the auto company. It ended up spending even more on manufacturing the car than the company would have earned from selling Nano. But, Tata stayed true to his words and delivered the car to millions of people who were desperately waiting for it.
However, the car - targeted at the lower-middle class segment - was not well received and the demand fizzled out before it got a chance to pick up.
The Tata Group is planning to make a mark in the electric vehicles segment with an eco-friendly Nano.
Earlier this year in February, the Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus took time out to review the powertrain in the white, custom-built 72V Nano EV model, created by automotive firm Electra EV - which is backed by Tata himself.
The auto company offers EV powertrain solutions to Tata Motors and various other automakers. The philanthropist could be seen accompanied by his executive assistant, Shantanu Naidu, for the joy ride.
Naidu - who holds the position of Deputy General Manager at the Office of RNT - was impressed with the gliding ability of the car.
The 84-year-old has always kept a people-first approach in his businesses.
In a special Instagram post on Thursday, the Tata Trusts Chairman shared that seeing Indian families on scooters with a child sandwiched between the parents on slippery roads motivated him to create the country's first affordable car.
The billionaire philanthropist said that he often doodled when he was free on how a safe two-wheeler should look. "One of the benefits of being in the School of Architecture, (was) it had taught me to doodle when I was free. At first, we were trying to figure out how to make two-wheelers safer," he added.
Every time, the vehicle would take up a different shape. The doodles transformed from four wheels, no windows and no doors to a basic dune buggy. And, finally, Tata decided it should be a car. "The Nano was always meant for all our people," he wrote.
The post has more than 531K likes in just two hours.
The businessman, who is a people person, imagined his beloved Nano nearly two decades ago.
On a rainy November in 2003, a drenched family of four commuting on their two-wheeler on Mumbai streets moved Tata. That day, the compassionate businessman decided to create India's first budget-friendly car, Nano, with a price tag of just Rs 1 lakh.
With high prices of steel, rubber and other elements, delivering the car within the Rs 1 lakh mark became challenging for the auto company. It ended up spending even more on manufacturing the car than the company would have earned from selling Nano. But, Tata stayed true to his words and delivered the car to millions of people who were desperately waiting for it.
However, the car - targeted at the lower-middle class segment - was not well received and the demand fizzled out before it got a chance to pick up.
The Tata Group is planning to make a mark in the electric vehicles segment with an eco-friendly Nano.
Earlier this year in February, the Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus took time out to review the powertrain in the white, custom-built 72V Nano EV model, created by automotive firm Electra EV - which is backed by Tata himself.
The auto company offers EV powertrain solutions to Tata Motors and various other automakers. The philanthropist could be seen accompanied by his executive assistant, Shantanu Naidu, for the joy ride.
Naidu - who holds the position of Deputy General Manager at the Office of RNT - was impressed with the gliding ability of the car.
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