Who owns the last Nano car built by Tatas? He shares an emotional post for Ratan Tata

The Tata Nano, though not the most refined or feature-rich car in the market, holds an unshakable place in India's automotive history because of the emotion and vision it carried. It wasn’t built to outclass global sedans or SUVs—it was created to bring dignity and safety to middle-class Indian families. The Nano stood as the embodiment of a heartfelt promise made by the legendary Indian industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, the late Sir Ratan Tata. Now, an emotional chapter in the Nano's journey has resurfaced, as Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata’s former assistant, recently shared photos of the very last Nano that was ever built.

Shantanu Naidu, who currently serves as the general manager and head of strategic initiatives at Tata Motors, marked the occasion on Instagram through a heartfelt post shared on his personal account and the Sock Talks TV page. In the post, he stood beside the final unit of the Tata Nano—a white-colored car affectionately named "Lily." According to Naidu, Lily holds more significance than being just a vehicle. Now six years old, this compact car has, in his words, carried the weight of his world. To him, she is a living reminder of a fulfilled promise, a vessel of memories, and a tribute to an engineering dream that was both bold and compassionate.

“She’s a memory keeper, evidence of a promise kept, and a whisper of an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten. Thank you, Lily, for your loyalty and love, despite all the battle-scar dents. Happy sixth to the last Nano from the shop floor," on Instagram.

The genesis of the Tata Nano traces back to a poignant moment when Ratan Tata witnessed a family of four braving the rain on a two-wheeler. That incident deeply moved him and planted the seed for an affordable car that could give common families both protection and dignity. His goal: a fully functional, four-wheeled vehicle priced around ₹1 lakh. That vision became a reality in 2008 when the Tata Nano was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo.

Billed as the “World’s Cheapest Car,” the Nano generated massive excitement and secured more than 2 lakh bookings in its early days. It was dubbed the “People’s Car,” and for a brief moment, it looked like a revolution in mobility had arrived. However, the Nano's journey was not without challenges. Initially slated to be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal, the project was relocated to Sanand, Gujarat, due to major protests over land acquisition.

Despite its innovative engineering and intention, the Nano’s fate faltered because of how it was perceived. Being labeled a “cheap” car damaged its image, making it less appealing to aspirational buyers. Even Ratan Tata later conceded that strategic missteps in marketing played a significant role in its downfall. As a result, despite its value and potential, the Nano’s production was discontinued.

The Nano was a small yet practical hatchback, measuring under 3.2 meters in length. It featured a rear-mounted 624cc two-cylinder petrol engine that delivered 38 PS of power and 51 Nm of torque. Initially launched with a 4-speed manual transmission, later models included an AMT (automated manual transmission). Its compact size didn’t compromise interior space, comfortably seating four adults, and it delivered an impressive fuel efficiency of around 23 kmpl.

Though no longer in production, the Tata Nano remains a powerful symbol of Sir Ratan Tata’s compassionate vision. Each Nano still seen on Indian roads stands as a rolling tribute to a man whose dreams went beyond business—dreams built on empathy, innovation, and service to the nation.