Tata Motors will not be phasing out the Nano, the world’s cheapest car and Ratan Tata’s brainchild, as there are a lot of sentiments attached to it. Instead, the company would look to reposition the vehicle and alternative plans are being put in place, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Satish B Borwankar said today.
Though the COO confirm the testing for the electric version of the small car, he did not mention about its feasibility or time frame for a roll-out.
According to the Borwankar, even shareholders, during the company’s last AGM had wanted the production for Nano to continue. “It is not that easy to phase out the Nano. There are sentiments attached with it. Shareholders sentiments, company sentiments, and so on,” he told BusinessLine on the sidelines of a CII event here in the city.
Sources indicate that the company would look to reduce focus from the Nano to other passenger vehicles. The Sanand facility produces, Nano, Tigor and Tiago. “Nano, Tigor, Tiago share the same production line. Since Tigor and Tiago’s demand is more, why focus on Nano? We produce very low numbers nowadays,” Borwankar added.
Gaining market share
According to Borwankar, Tata Motors is also working on a strategy to become number three passenger vehicle player in the country over the next “one to two years” time. The strategy involves new launches, as well as new dealerships. Top company executives were also visiting dealerships and trying to understand customer issues.
Tata Motors had for quite some time being the number three palyer (by sales) in the country. However, it lost out to competitors subsequently. Borwankar, however, claimed that Tata Motors was now the fifth largest passenger car-maker in the country. “In the next one-to-two years, we intend to be the third largest player,” he added.