Million Cars for Billion People

Gautam Sen

oct 2014 · One Point Six Technology Pvt Ltd

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 Can one car transform a nation? The Ford Model T did do so a century  ago when  it  replaced the  horse, brought  about  a revolution in agriculture, became a stimulus to urbanization that eventually changed the landscape of America. Though the Maruti 800, the Tata Indica, the Hyundai Santro and the Maruti Alto, became engines of growth for India, these cars neither drove away the cow nor changed the way Indians travelled. Tata’s Nano  was expected to change all that  and become the ultimate people’s car, capturing the imagination of the middle class across nations and cultures. In spite of its petite dimensions, the Nano was meant to stand tall. Yet it did not. What caused it to fail and fall from grace despite being lauded as the ‘right product at the right time’ and ‘the most significant new car since the Ford Model T was introduced 100 years ago’? But is it really all over or is there still hope for India’s ‘little wonder’? What will the people’s cars of tomorrow be like? A Million  Cars for a Billion People delves into the questions, concerns and doubts, as well as the many misconceptions and myths, that have gathered momentum  over the  years about  India’s automotive  history  and  the industry’s mission to create a true ‘people’s car’. The very first cars that came to India; the early beginnings of the industry; the nascent history of the automobile across nations like Germany, France, US, the UK, Italy, Japan and South Korea, is narrated with authority and charm, from the viewpoint of the quest for the ultimate people’s car.

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 Gautam Sen graduated in economics before doing a post-graduate degree in Business Management. He began his automotive career in 1984, with Maruti Udyog. Acknowledged as a pioneer in Indian automotive journalism, Gautam became the Founder-Editor of India’s first newsstand car magazine, Indian Auto, in 1986; and launched Auto India, India’s bestselling car magazine ever, in 1993; followed by the Indian editions of  auto motor und sport (2001) and BBC Top Gear (2005). Since 2007, he has been back in the driver’s seat at Auto India. Gautam has also been involved in product development and consulted with Hero Motors, Hindustan Motors, San Motors, Tata Motors, TVS-Suzuki and several other prominent Indian, French and Italian automobile companies. Living between Paris and Mumbai, Gautam has also authored, The Maharajas & Their Magnificent Motor Cars, The Car Design Book and Rolls-Royce 17X A Fabulous Destiny. He can be reached at [e-mail]