How Ford's insult led Ratan Tata to buy Jaguar, Land Rover

Ratan Tata's decision to buy Jaguar and Land Rover can be summed up between two sentences: "You do not know anything" to "you are doing us a big favour."

The late industrialist bought Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 nine years after the Ford officials insulted Tata's Indica in 1998, who were there to sell off the car company because of low sales.

"You do not know anything, why did you start the passenger car division at all," the Ford officials said, as quoted by PTI.

Following the "humiliating" encounter, the team opted to return to India.

The Great Recession of 2008 led Ford into bankruptcy. Tata seized the opportunity to offer to buy two of Ford's iconic brands: Jaguar and Land Rover.

"You are doing us a big favour by buying JLR'," Bill Ford said after the $2.3 billion all-cash deal.

Meanwhile, another car by Tata captured global attention when it was unveiled at the 2008 Auto Expo: Nano- the 'People's car.' Ratan Tata's vision for the Nano was straightforward: to offer affordable, safe, and reliable transportation for Indian families unable to purchase a conventional car.

Ratan Tata passed away on late Wednesday night. He was 86.
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