Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata Dies At Age 86

Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Motors and Tata Group, as well as former chairman of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), has died at the age of 86. (Image: Bloomberg)

Ratan Tata, owner and chairman of Tata Motors, as well as former chairman of Jaguar Land Rover, has died at the age of 86. This was confirmed by Tata Motors and parent Tata Group via an official statement issued jointly.

“It is with deep sadness and with a heavy heart that we inform you of the demise of our beloved chairman, Ratan N Tata, a legend of our times who passed away on 9 Oct 2024,” read the statement mentioned, though no cause of death was stated.

The same statement continues with the following:

"While we will miss his physical presence, he will always live in our hearts and minds. We rededicate ourselves to carrying forward his legacy and that of the founders, which is rooted in India's civilisational values and strives for the welfare of all."

Ratan Tata with arguably his most lauded - and somewhat maligned - Tata Nano microcar. Tata was widely credited as the mastermind behind what was once billed as "the world's cheapest car". (Image: Autocar UK).

Widely billed as an industry “titan” and an “uncommon leader”, Ratan Tata led the massive Tata Group and Tata Motors brand from 1990 to 2012, transforming it from a nation-building Indian automaker (a la Proton to Malaysians in its early years) into a multinational and truly global automotive powerhouse.

During his tenure, Tata was renowned to be the mastermind behind successful creations such as the highly affordable Tata Nano microcar. Said vehicle widely credited to have mobilised India’s masses and was once billed as the world’s cheapest car on sale too.

In the same timeframe, Tata also successfully acquired Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) into the company fold, even leading it as its chairman too. Under his leadership, Tata was widely credited as the key driver towards rescuing the Jaguar Land Rover brand from certain demise, stabilising and bring it back to a somewhat profitable state before vacating his chair overseeing both brands.

Tata was also the architect behind Tata Motors' acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008. As its then chairman, the titan steered both brands from the brink of extinction and towards stability. (Image: Autocar UK)

Key JLR models launched under Tata's leadership include the Range Rover Evoque (left) and the all-electric Jaguar i-Pace (right).

“We believe it is the duty of whoever owns them to nurture the image, to retain their touch and feel, and not to tinker with them. They are British brands, and they should remain British. Who actually owns them should not be very important in the way they work," said Tata famously when interviewed by Autocar UK shortly after acquiring these marques.

Crucial JLR models developed and launched under his leadership include the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport, not forgetting every new Jaguar model sold in the last decade such as the F-Pace, I-Pace, as well as the stylish F-Type roadster.

Beyond his business exploits, Tata was also renowned to be an avid car enthusiast himself. He famously made frequent visit to JLR’s UK headquarters every few weeks, spending a good portion of which on the firm’s Gaydon test track sampling both JLR products, as well as hardware and metal from its competitors.

Ratan Tata (1935-2024). (Image: AP).