JRD Tata envisioned a company that would manufacture locomotives and heavy equipment. By 1948, Tata Locomotive and Engineering Company, TELCO, dispatched their first product: road rollers

Locomotive workshops came up with the target to manufacture 100 locomotives and 100 boilers a year. Pictured here is a complete ‘YG’ steam locomotive — meter gauge type.

JRD and Thelma Tata, along with then director-in-charge of TELCO, Sumant Moolgaokar, view a model locomotive built to the design of the famous ‘Royal Scot’, by TELCO apprentices.

The first batch of technicians who went for advanced practical training in locomotive manufacture to Krauss-Maffei AG in Germany, with which TELCO had a technical aid agreement.

Three Tata trucks showed off their pedigree by traversing 12,875 km at the Bombay-Geneva Motor Rally - without a single breakdown

Tibetan spiritual leaders Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama visit TELCO this year.

Then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on a visit to TELCO

A Tata Mercedes-Benz truck being loaded at Bombay docks for shipment to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), the first exports.

Sumant Moolgaokar presents the 100,000th truck to Sardar Kartar Singh, vice president of the Montgomery Goods Transport Society, New Delhi.

The first batch of vehicles bearing the ‘T’ insignia roll out of TELCO Works. In 1960, the company was rechristened Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co Ltd; in 1969, the ‘star’ emblem was replaced with ‘T’, signifying the end of a long collaboration with Daimler-Benz.

The locomotive era for TELCO ends. Employees bid goodbye to the last locomotive to be manufactured by the company.

An industrial tractor manufactured by TELCO pulls the Indian Air Force fighter Gnat at the Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi

Tata 1210 semi-forward truck launched; it transforms road transportation of goods in India

1516 vehicles at the TELCO assembly line in Pune. Set up across 930 acres of land in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, the facility produced its first commercial vehicle in 1977. Today, it is known for its quality manufacturing facilities as well as for its R&D centre.

The first Tata Hitachi Excavator. In the early ’60s, TELCO started manufacturing mechanical cranes and excavators with Harnischfeger Corp, USA. 20 years later, TELCO decided to pursue the latest technology through a collaboration with Hitachi

The first indigenously-designed light commercial vehicle, the Tata 407 launched, enabling last-mile delivery

Tata Motors debuts the Tatamobile 206. Powered with a Peugeot engine, it was the first Indian pickup truck. The name was changed to Tata 207 DI in 2002

Tata Motors rolls out its 1 millionth vehicle

JRD Tata at the Tata Estate launch in 1992. The ’90s saw a spate of launches: the first passenger car, Tata Sierra; the iconic fully indigenous Tata Indica; India’s first SUV Tata Safari; and the Tata Sumo. In the mid-’90s, TELCO brought Mercedes Benz to India.

Tata Indica, India's first fully indigenous passenger car rolls out;. Tata Motors also launches Tata Safari this year

Of India, By India, For India

The then President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam visits the factory. The company changed its name from TELCO to Tata Engineering this year as part of a group-wide branding initiative.

Tata Motors introduces India's first fully indigenous sedan, the Tata Indigo

In 2003, the company changed its name from Tata Engineering to Tata Motors to align more closely with its products. In this year, Tata Motors debuts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the first Indian OEM to do so. It remains listed till 2023

India's first mini truck. Tata Ace, launched. Nicknamed 'Chhota Haathi' (little elephant) it was a response to India's growing ecommerce market and revolutionized last-mile delivery

Then Chairman of Tata Motors, Ratan N Tata signs the acquisition deal of Jaguar Land Rover. The trend of vehicle launches continued through the 2000s, with production and manufacturing at an all-time high.

Ratan Tata at the launch of the Tata Nano on this year.

Tata Sons Chairman, N Chandrasekaran – also Chairman of Tata Motors – and Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons, Ratan N Tata, flag off the Tigor EV from Tata Motors’ Sanand factory in Gujarat.

Tata Nexon becomes the first made in India, sold in India car to achieve Global NCAP’s coveted five star crash test rating

Crashing Cars to Make Them Safer

India's Own Electric SUV, Nexon EV, is launched. Backed by Tata uniEVerse, the company is poised to create a holistic EV ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India.

Tata Motors Ushers In A New Wave Of E-mobility In India

Launch of Tata Punch which would become India's largest selling car in 2024

Sets up Re.Wi.Re for safe and sustainable dismantling of end-of-life vehicles across all brands.

Scrap your vehicle?

Jaguar unveils a bold new vision: the Type 00.

A New Breed of Cat

80 years after its founding, Tata Motors demerges its commercial and passenger vehicle businesses to form two industry-leading companies

Driving Ahead