Ben Barry applauds Tata’s shift from cheap ‘n’ cheerful to cheap ‘n’ green
While the alternative energy debate has been gathering momentum over the last couple of years in Europe and North America, the emerging markets have been ploughing on like it was 1899. So it was reassuring to hear Ratan Tata – chairman of India’s Tata Motors Limited – placing environmental concerns at the top of his Geneva show agenda.
Just prior to unveiling the Focus saloon-like Eleganté concept, Mr Tata talked of plans to share both platforms and technology with Fiat – the latter tie-up greatly helping the Indian brand to reduce emissions and get with the 21st century eco-vibe.
Sure, Tata might seem like a small-time player to anyone in the UK, but it is India’s biggest car maker with a 16 percent share of the market – something that’s only likely to grow over the next few years. If this key manufacturer can lead the way with environmental initiatives on its home turf, it marks a huge step forward for the world’s greater environmental good. And for that, Tata should be applauded.