24 March,2009 02:26 PM IST | | Shishir Joshi
In the last six months, the House of Tatas has seen several dents. But nothing worse than the attack on the Taj Mahal hotel and, the political campaign against the Nano.
Seventy-one-year old Ratan Tata dapper as ever, believes in looking forward. Last year, he announced and displayed his PEOPLE's car. The Nano.
On Monday, 'before schedule', he shared his personal dreams and the efforts of the 500 people who worked on the Nano project, with a select group of senior editors. MiD DAY's Group Editorial Director, Shishir Joshi, shares some moments.
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1. When he first test drove the Nano:
I am one of the biggest critics of my own products but, honestly, I had nou00a0idea it would be such a satisfying experience.
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2. On whether one lakh is a price gimmick.
"The price Rs one lakh happened by chance. At the international auto show, one journalist asked me how cheap would the car be and I said, it could be very cheap. Maybe one lakh rupees and not more. The next moment, I was quoted as saying, Tatas to bring about a Rs one lakh car. We decided to take that as a challenge and we have lived up to the expectation. No, it is not a gimmick that this will be the opening price and later we would hike it. But the fact remains that prices of raw material has nowu00a0 gone up.
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3. Is Nano a dream fulfilled?
It is the fulfillment of an 'emotional desire' of so many Indians who ride two wheelers and want to buy a car. I am glad, I have fulfilled it. No, this is not an ego trip for me.
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4. What's the impact the Nano will have on competition?
Two wheelers manufacturers would start providing many more incentives to buyers and we could see a decline in prices of four wheelers too.
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5. What's next, in India or abroad?
The electric Indica, which will be made for the European market. Later this year.
