Rs 1 lakh car, Jaguar can co-exist: Tata

Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Sons, has said it should not be impossible for the world's cheapest (Rs 1 lakh) car to co-exist with prestigious brands like Jaguar and Land Rover despite an image disparity.

In an interview to The Times, Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata exuded confidence in his company's ability to manage a diverse portfolio starting from the Rs 1 lakh car to British marquees Jaguar and Land Rover, which according to media reports the Indian company is set to acquire.

"How a company manages products in different sectors is the key. Toyota created Lexus, Nissan has Infiniti. No one is saying how can BMW handle the Mini? But they've made a huge success of it. So why is it impossible?" Tata said on being asked how would JLR fit into his company's product portfolio.

The world is waiting to catch a glimpse of the much touted Rs 1 lakh car, which would be unveiled at the Auto Expo in New Delhi on January 10, 2008.

Various reports in the international media suggest that Tata Motors has emerged as the preferred bidder for the two iconic brands of Ford Motors. Indian rival Mahindra and Mahindra and US-based private equity firm One Equity are also in the fray.

Tata Motors, with a bid of $2 billion (about Rs 8,000 crore), is the front-runner, and the deal is likely to be sealed in favour of the company by the end of this week, British media reports said.

When asked to comment on apprehensions raised back home on too many small cars and at a price at which Tata Motors plans to sell them would herald and environmental nightmares, Tata said his product would be one of the greenest vehicles around.

"There are eight million two-wheelers put on the road every year that pollute more and are more dangerous. If you look at the total population, the incremental emissions will be minuscule. Why are we singled out?" Tata said.