Ratan Tata’s strategic decision to buy Jaguar Land Rover from Ford in 2008 was more than just a business deal—it was a story of turning the tables. The move came nearly a decade after Ford officials had humiliated Tata during a 1999 meeting. As India mourns the loss of industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away at 86, many stories from his illustrious career are resurfacing, showcasing his sharp business acumen.
One tale, in particular, stands out—when Tata turned the tables on Ford Motors in 2008, buying out the iconic Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) brand after being humiliated by the American company nearly a decade earlier. The 1999 Meeting That Changed Everything Back in 1999, Tata Motors was struggling to find its footing in the passenger car market. The Tata Indica, their first attempt at creating a mass-market car, failed to meet expectations.
With the venture looking like a financial drain, Ratan Tata and his team decided to explore a sale of their passenger car division to Ford Motors. A meeting was set up at Ford’s headquarters in Detroit. According to people present, the American officials were less than welcoming.
They reportedly said, “ You do not know anything, why did you start the passenger car division at all?” They even hinted that Ford would be doing Tata a favour by buying out their car business. Humiliated and dejected, Ratan Tata and his team returned to India, feeling slighted by the condescending attitude of Ford’s officials. “It was a tough mo.
