New Delhi:

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has been conferred Honorary Knighthood by the United Kingdom for his services to the UK-India business relations, the group said on Friday.

He has been conferred “The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) – honorary DBE/KBE”.

In a post on X, the group said Mr Chandrasekaran received “an Honorary Knighthood by His Majesty, King Charles for services to UK-India business relations”.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr Chandrasekaran said, “I would like to express how proud we are at the Tata Group to maintain such a strong strategic relationship with the UK across the technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive sectors.” He further said,”We are incredibly proud of our iconic British brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley. We employ more than 70,000 people in the UK.” The Tata Group enjoy fruitful and world-class research and academic partnerships with great institutions in UK which include the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, the University of Warwick and the University of Swansea, he added.

“I would also like to express, on behalf of the Tata Group, my deep thanks to HM Government for their support for the Group. It is a strong and enduring relationship, and I look forward to strengthening our presence in the UK further,” Mr Chandrasekaran noted.

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Ratan Tata, one of India’s most loved industrialists, died today aged 86. He was reportedly admitted to a Mumbai hospital in critical condition. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, has confirmed the sad news. 

In a statement, Mr Chandrasekaran said, “It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation. “

Here is the full statement by Tata Sons: 

“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.

For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass.

Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction.

On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.

N Chandrasekaran
Chairman
Tata Sons”

N. Chandrasekaran, Tata Group Chairman. File
| Photo Credit: PAUL NIORONHA

Domestic passenger vehicle segment is expected to cross the 50 lakh-mark of annual sales over the next few years and Tata Motors is geared up to tap into this growth opportunity, according to Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.

In a message to the company’s shareholders in Annual Report for 2023-24, he noted that the company will focus on revenue growth and strong free cash flows across its businesses going ahead. “India is well on track to exceed the 5 million vehicle sales mark in passenger vehicles over the next few years from the 4.1 million volumes clocked last year,” Mr. Chandrasekaran said.

India’s vehicle penetration, at about 30 vehicles per 1,000 population, is well below global norms and is expected to continue to increase, he noted.

“Tata Motors is well placed to further strengthen its market position and tap into this growth opportunity,” he stated.

Elaborating on the passenger vehicle segment, he stated that in the next phase, the business will focus on driving revenue growth, improving EBITDA, strong free cash flows, technology and brand leadership.

Apart from vehicular sales, the business will also focus on vehicle-linked businesses like spares, digital and smart mobility solutions which will help reduce the volatility of the vehicle sales business, he added. This should help drive consistent value accretive growth in the coming years, Mr. Chandrasekaran said.

The competitive intensity in this portfolio will remain high and the business will continue to invest in products, platforms, electrical & electronic architectures, and vehicle software to remain competitive, he stated.

The EV business will focus on driving up penetration through multiple product launches, focus on market development, charging network enhancements and continuing to introduce aspirational product features, he said.

The company’s PV business recorded its highest-ever turnover in FY24 with an annual revenue of ₹52,353 crore, growing by 9.4% over FY23.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said the commercial vehicle vertical will also focus on vehicle parc-linked businesses to reduce the volatility of the vehicle sales business.

On JLR, he stated that the brand will continue to double down on its journey to become a premium luxury OEM, deliver strong revenue growth, improve profitability further, drive positive free cash flows and continue to invest in products and technologies.

“There is an exciting range of products lined up to be launched over the next three years that needs to be delivered successfully. The first electric Range Rover launches later this year, and there are further EVs lined up in the coming years including the all-electric Jaguar,” he said.

Propsed demerger

Mr. Chandrasekaran said that the Tata Motors’ board proposed a demerger into two separate listed companies to enable each business to execute these strategies.

The commercial vehicle business and its related investments in one entity and the passenger vehicle businesses including PV, EV, JLR and its related investments in another entity, he informed shareholders.

“This will also help secure the considerable synergies across PV, EV and JLR, particularly in the areas of EVs, autonomous vehicles, and vehicle software,” he said.

This will lead each company to deliver a superior experience for customers, better growth prospects for employees and, enhanced value for shareholders, he added.