The wait is finally coming to an end. Just a few hours from now, on March 23, Tata Motors will launch the world's cheapest car -- Nano -- in Mumbai. Many a company had pooh-poohed the Tata Motors claim that it would soon manufacture a Rs 1-lakh (Rs 100,000) car. Their constant refrain was 'it can't be done'. But now the naysayers have been silenced. And the world has sat up to take notice of this car. Little wonder then that the launch promises to be a very high profile affair.
It has been a very long journey for Tata Motors -- the world's, fourth largest truck manufacturer, and second largest bus manufacturer.
Set up to manufacture locomotives and other engineering products, Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co Ltd, or TELCO, started its journey way back in 1945. Renamed as Tata Motors in 2002, today it is India's largest automobile company with revenues (2007-08) of Rs 35,651.48 crore ($8.8 billion) and 23,000 employees.
Over 40 lakh (4 million) Tata vehicles ply on Indian roads since the first one rolled out in 1954. The company's manufacturing base in India is spread across Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Pune (Maharashtra), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Pantnagar (Uttarakhand).
The company is setting up two new plants: at Dharwad (Karnataka) and Sanand (Gujarat).
1954: Pact with Daimler Benz
Tata Motors (then known as TELCO) entered into a deal with Daimler Benz AG, West Germany (Germany at that time was divided into East and West), to manufacture medium commercial vehicles. The first vehicle rolled out within 6 months of the contract.
1959: R&D
A research and development centre was set up at Jamshedpur.
1961: Exports begin
Exports began with the first truck being shipped to Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon.
1966-83: Commerical vehicles
The Engineering Research Centre was set up at Pune to provide impetus to automobile research and development. The first commercial vehicle was manufactured in Pune in 1977 and in 1983, manufacture of heavy commercial vehicles commenced.
1986-89: LCVs
Production of first indigenously designed light commercial vehicle, Tata 407, started in 1986, followed by Tata 608. In 1989 Tatamobile 206 - the 3rd LCV model was introduced.
1991-94: Passenger car
In 1991, TELCO launched Tata Sierra, the first indigenously passenger car. The same year the company also rolled out its millionth vehicle. While in 1992 Tata Estate was launched, in 1994, Tata Sumo, the first multi-utility vehicle rolled out from the Tata Motors stable.
In 1993, the company entered into a joint venture agreement with Cummins Engine Co Inc for manufacturing high horsepower and emission friendly diesel engines.
A year later, it signed another JV, and this time with Daimler-Benz for manufacturing Mercedes Benz passenger cars in India.
1995-99: Tata Sumo
In 1995 Mercedes Benz E220 was launched. 1996: Tata Sumo deluxe was launched. 1997: Tata Sierra Turbo was launched. This very year the 100,000th Tata Sumo was rolled out. 1998 was a golden year for TELCO as both Indica, India's first fully indigenous passenger car and Tata Safari -- India's first sports utility vehicle were launched.
The company was rolled out the two millionth vehicle.
Within a week of its launch, 115,000 bookings for Indica were registered and commercial production of Indica commenced in full swing.
2000-02: The Indica
In 2000 First consignment of 160 Indicas were shipped to Malta. Indica with Bharat Stage 2 (Euro II) compliant diesel engine launched. Utility vehicles with Bharat 2 (Euro II) compliant engine launched. The company also launched CNG buses the same year.
2001:
Indica V2 and CNG Indica launched. 100,000th Indica wheeled out. Exits joint venture with Daimler Chrysler. 2002:
Unveiling of the Tata Sedan at Auto Expo 2002. Petrol version of Indica V2 launched. 200,000th Indica rolled out. 500,000th passenger vehicle rolled out. Launch of the Tata Sumo'+' Series Tata Indigo is launched.2003-04: Tata Indigo
In 2003, the Tata Indigo Station Wagon was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. On 29th July, J R D Tata's birth anniversary, Tata Engineering becomes Tata Motors Limited.
Other key events that year included: Three millionth vehicle produced. First CityRover rolled out 2004:
Indigo Advent unveiled at Geneva Motor Show. Tata Motors completes acquisition of Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co Ltd launches the heavy duty truck Novus, in Korea Sumo Victa, Indigo Marina launched Tata Motors lists on the NYSE.2005: Acquisitions
Tata Motors rolls out the 500,000th passenger car from its facility in Pune. The Tata Xover unveiled at the 75th Geneva Motor Show. Branded buses and coaches - Starbus and Globus - launched. Tata Motors acquires 21 per cent stake in Hispano Carrocera SA, Spanish bus manufacturing Company Tata Ace, India's first mini truck launched. Tata Motors wins JRD QV award for business excellence. Introduction of Indigo SX series - luxury variant of Tata Indigo. Tata Motors launches Indica V2 Turbo Diesel. One millionth passenger car produced and sold. Inauguration of new factory at Jamshedpur for Novus. Tata TL 4X4, India's first Sports Utility Truck (SUT) is launched.2006: A million-plus!
Tata Motors' vehicle sales in India cross four million mark. It unveils new long wheel base premium Indigo & X-over concept at Auto Expo 2006. Indica V2 Xeta is launched. Tata Motors and Marcopolo, Brazil, announce joint venture to manufacture fully built buses & coaches for India and markets abroad. The company zeroes on West Bengal for setting up Nano plant. It extends CNG options on its hatchback and estate range Tata Motors and Fiat Group announce three additional cooperation agreements 2007: More vehicles launched
Construction of Small Car plant at Singur, West Bengal, begins on January 21. New 2007 Indica V2 range is launched Tata Motors launches the longwheel base Indigo XL, India's first stretch limousine Tata-Fiat plant at Ranjangaon inaugurated Launch of a new Upgraded range of its entry level utility vehicle offering, the Tata Spacio. Launch of Magic, a comfortable, safe, four-wheeler public transportation mode, developed on the Ace platform. Launch of Winger, India's only maxi-van. Fiat Group and Tata Motors announce joint venture deal. Tata Motors launches Indica V2 Turbo with dual airbags and ABS Rollout of the one millionth passenger car off the Indica platform.2008: Jaguar, Land Rover
Ratan Tata unveils Nano -- the Rs 100,00 'People's Car' at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Ace plant at Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) begins production. Indica Vista � the new generation Indica, is launched. Agitation of Trinamool Congress leader Mamat Banerjee forces Ratan tata to abandon Singur. While many suitors wooed Tata, Gujarat chief mminister Narendra modi finally clinched the deal. Tatas decided to set up the nano plant at Sanand. Xenon, 1-tonne pick-up truck, launched in Thailand. Tata Motors completes acquisition of Jaguar -and Rover for $2.3 billion.2008: The Nano
Tata Marcopolo Motors' Dharwad plant begins production. AND. . .
Nano the world's cheapest car will be launched at 1930 hours in Mumbai on Monday, March 23.
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