Tata

Tata Motors is one of the crown jewels of the Tata Group, India's premier industrial house. In the fiscal year 2008 the company sold 585,649 vehicles and had a turnover of INR335 billion (Indian rupees) (US$8.4 billion), making it the largest automobile company in India. Tata Motors had ambitious plans to double the number of vehicles that it sold in a mere five years by maintaining its lead in the booming Indian market and by establishing a greater global presence. The case describes Tata Motors' journey to becoming a global contender. It traces the company's business portfolio and strategy, its dramatic turnaround in 2000-2002, its strengthened position in India in both commercial vehicles and passenger cars, as well as its diversification into international markets through greenfield ventures, as well as acquisitions and alliances - notably the Jaguar LandRover purchase in 2008. In January 2008, Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Nano, priced at INR100,000 or one lakh (US$2,500), the cheapest car in the world. By entering two of the fastest growing areas of the automotive industry (the premium and small car segments), Tata Motors company was firmly on the path to becoming a global contender. Learning objectives: The case has the following objectives: (1) introduce students to Tata Motors - an emerging global player in the auto industry from India; (2) understand and critique the company's domestic strategy to date (including the launch of the Nano); (3) review its international strategy to date (including its acquisition of Jaguar and LandRover; (4) discuss how the company's managing director should address the challenges facing the company.