Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran reflected on the future plans of Tata Group as he shared Tata Motors’ plan to launch a new electric vehicle within 6 months and to revamp Air India within a year. Here are some highlights from his conversation with Business Today Editor Sourav Majumdar at BT MindRush 2023
Chairman N Chandrasekaran seemed to be optimistic about Tata Sons' growth in the current financial year as he said, “If we look at our (Tata Sons) portfolio, there is a very strong demand. At this pace, the group will grow more than 20% year-on-year.” He further said that keeping aside TCS, Jaguar or Land Rover, the growth in the domestic market is even higher
While talking about the future plans of Tata Motors with respect to e-vehicles, N Chandrasekaran said, “We have done incredibly well and we owned 80 per cent of the e-vehicle market in a very short span of time. Tata Motors have 10 launches for electric vehicles planned. But for the cars that will come in 2025, we are completely revamping the technology.”
N Chandrasekaran hopes that changes at Air India will be visible in the next year while saying, "Everyone in this country is rooting for Air India.” He added, “We need the infrastructure, airports, and lounges. But it’s going to take time. We are accelerating and I hope that we can start to show a semblance of the new Air India, but we need the scale.”
N Chandrasekaran shared Tata Group's approach towards tech developments like Artificial Intelligence. He said, “In future, AI will connect various Indian metros to various overseas locations including not just the big ones like SFO, but even San Jose”. He further said that AI will be a disruptor and it has implications on jobs and on skills that are required for the future
"I worry about the need for regulatory uniformity across markets (with the advent of AI technology),” N Chandrasekaran told Sourav Majumdar. He added, "AI has got a huge regulatory issue because different governments have started reacting differently. We have got to take the lead and come out with some kind of regulatory framework. AI has lots of implications.” He also hinted at a centre for excellence for AI at Tata Group
N Chandrasekaran said, "Ratan Tata is a very fine person. I do meet him. Sometimes, we exchange notes but nothing formal. He has been a phenomenal source of strength."
N Chandrasekaran shared a message for young entrepreneurs. He said, "There are tremendous opportunities across sectors. People should continue to be bold but they must be disciplined. We need inspiration along with rigour."
N Chandrasekaran was honoured with the Business Icon of the Year Award by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and India Today Group Chairman Aroon Purie at the BT Best CEO Awards ceremony.
This memorable picture of the Titans of India Inc. N Chandrasekaran and Infosys Chairman and Co-founder Nandan Nilekani was captured at the BT MindRush event