Tata Nano may ferry Taj hotel guests

Indian Hotels, owner of the Taj brand of premium hotels and the biggest hospitality chain in Asia, recently inducted some Jaguar sedans into its fold, post the Tata acquisition of the brand. It may now look at the Nano, produced by group company Tata Motors.

One of the smallest cars in the world but also among the biggest brands within the Tata conglomerate, the Nano had generated significant interest across the world, especially from auto makers and car enthusiasts. IHCL would perhaps look to leverage this strength for itself, according to a senior company executive.

Ajoy K Misra, senior vice president, sales and marketing, IHCL, said: "We always look for synergies within the Tata Group by sharing of products and brands. It's possible, going forward, when the production of the Nano is being stretched at some stage, that we would not rule out its being in one of our line-ups."

While it is not known if any such request from a guest for the car had come in, the company believes such a demand could arise, considering the excitement the Nano created. "I don't rule out any demand of that kind from us, moving forward," added Misra.

The company doesn't expect widespread demand for the Nano, which would mostly come from international travellers coming to India, as the car is yet to be launched overseas.

"There is much curiosity and interest attached with the Nano ever since the car was unveiled a couple of years ago. With Tata Motors stating there is still more than a year for the car to hit international roads, foreign travellers can only get to drive in it in India. This is what will make Taj add the car to its line-up," stated a senior official from another hotel chain.

IHCL presently offers a range of luxury and economy travel options across its properties, with carlines ranging from Tata Indica (for economy seekers) to the Mercedes Benz S-Class (premium traveller). Other cars in its fold include Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Honda City, to name a few.

The company also makes extensive use of all the models of Tata Motors, including Tata Indigo, Tata Sumo and Tata Safari.

"We would always prefer to have a Tata Motors product at our appropriate hotels. We do have Jaguars, which we use for VIP's and for transportation as a limousine," Misra further added.

Many of these luxury cars, which hotels operate, are used to ferry guests to and from airports, railways stations or other meeting points.

If IHCL does intend to use the Nano, it will have to wait for Tata Motors to reopen the bookings of the car. This is expected later this year.