Traditionally a conservative business conglomerate, the Tatas have changed after the launch of economic reforms in 1991 acquiring global brands and performing better than peers, said Group chief Mr Ratan Tata.

“We were too conservative about the liberalisation but tried to change when market was opened in 1991... We, however, did better compared to other companies in the open market,” he said during an interactive session organised by Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry here last evening.

The Tata group was $ 5 billion in size when Ratan Tata took over the reins in 1992 as chairman of Tata Sons, but it is going to be a $ 100 billion conglomerate this year with strong global footprint and wide interests ranging from salt to software.

Tata, along with his successor-designate Mr Cyrus Mistry, was here to participate in the 173rd birth anniversary celebrations of Tata Steel’s founder Jamsetji Tata.

Answering questions on iconic car company Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) which Tatas acquired from Ford for $ 2.3 billion in 2008, he said, “The future of JLR is very good and China being the second largest market. We are hopeful of very good future ... unless the petrol prices goes high“.

Mr Tata further said, “The USA continues to be the good market for Jaguar while presence in Asia is growing momentum particularly to the meteoric rise in demand from car buyers in China.

“We (Tata group) have spent millions to earn a brand name over the years and finally succeeded,” he said, stressing that the Group bought the company with a brand name world over.

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