Tata Nano - Strategy, Impact on the Automobile Industry
Cost Management and Strategy used
The great wonder car by Tata’s has stunned the entire world. Critics who often said that it was not possible to make a car at a price below $3000 were taken to a back sit when Ratan Tata the chairman of Tata Motors unveiled this car in New Delhi at a price of $2500. Since then it has been in lime light and has been making news in the auto sector throughout the world.
Much of India 's low-cost production edge comes from cheap labor and a large part of the low-cost assembly in factories and plants is done through manual operations. However this situation is changing fast with companies wanting to increase productivity by automating their lines. Tata cut costs by minimizing components, particularly steel, and taking advantage of India’s low production costs. Because of its size, it requires less metal, has a smaller and lighter engine than other cars, smaller tube-less tyres and a basic interior. Tata divided the components into two types – proprietary designs and Tata Motors design. For proprietary design components, Tata went with established suppliers who then worked on the development from Indian technology centers hence saving further cost. The cost associated with employing engineers in international development centers was a costly affair which made Tata’s use local design capabilities.
For components and systems designed in-house, Tata Motors chose suppliers with strong process capabilities who could give valuable suggestions and improvements in the designs. Nearly everything has been sourced locally and the Nano boasts of greater than 95% of content sourced locally since day 1. Tata’s suppliers were an integral part of the design and development process. Tata not only worked on its own processes but also helped its vendors innovate. Instead of annual contracts, Tata went with long term volume contracts with its suppliers, driving down the costs even further. A three-shift operation and consolidated purchasing with
The great wonder car by Tata’s has stunned the entire world. Critics who often said that it was not possible to make a car at a price below $3000 were taken to a back sit when Ratan Tata the chairman of Tata Motors unveiled this car in New Delhi at a price of $2500. Since then it has been in lime light and has been making news in the auto sector throughout the world.
Much of India 's low-cost production edge comes from cheap labor and a large part of the low-cost assembly in factories and plants is done through manual operations. However this situation is changing fast with companies wanting to increase productivity by automating their lines. Tata cut costs by minimizing components, particularly steel, and taking advantage of India’s low production costs. Because of its size, it requires less metal, has a smaller and lighter engine than other cars, smaller tube-less tyres and a basic interior. Tata divided the components into two types – proprietary designs and Tata Motors design. For proprietary design components, Tata went with established suppliers who then worked on the development from Indian technology centers hence saving further cost. The cost associated with employing engineers in international development centers was a costly affair which made Tata’s use local design capabilities.
For components and systems designed in-house, Tata Motors chose suppliers with strong process capabilities who could give valuable suggestions and improvements in the designs. Nearly everything has been sourced locally and the Nano boasts of greater than 95% of content sourced locally since day 1. Tata’s suppliers were an integral part of the design and development process. Tata not only worked on its own processes but also helped its vendors innovate. Instead of annual contracts, Tata went with long term volume contracts with its suppliers, driving down the costs even further. A three-shift operation and consolidated purchasing with