Once insulted by Ford, he pulled an Uno reverse card on Bill Ford in 2008
Be it business or any profession, whenever a person tries to do something new, they usually receive negative comments and lack support. The story was no different when the late Ratan Tata’s Tata Motors produced the first-ever fully indigenous Indian car. However, what happened next will remain etched in the history books forever.
The year was 1998, and Tata Motors had launched the first-ever fully designed and indigenous Indian car—the Tata Indica.
However, the car failed to make space in the Indian market, and the late Ratan Tata decided to sell the production unit.
Ratan Tata, along with several members of Tata Motors, visited the United States of America to meet Bill Ford, the then Chairman of Ford.
While Tata wished to cut a deal with Ford, Bill Ford insulted Tata, stating that Tata should’ve never entered the car manufacturing business and Ford would be doing a favour by buying the production unit.
While a deal could not be reached, an insulted Ratan Tata decided not to sell the production unit and turn Tata Motors into a major car manufacturing company.
Cut to 2008: Ford was struggling to stay afloat in the business and wanted to sell its luxury car brands, Jaguar and Land Rover.
On June 2, 2008, Tata Motors officially purchased Jaguar and Land Rover, making it one of the biggest automobile acquisitions ever. This was Ratan Tata’s revenge on Ford, served cold!
