Ratan Tata, the Indian businessman who’s been making lots of headlines lately, reportedly expressed an interest in buying a stake in exotic car maker Ferrari. Tata said Luca di Montezemolo, chairman of Fiat and Ferrari, has invited Tata to Italy, to explore the design and luxury sector opportunities.
Tata is no stranger to diversifying his portfolio, already in talks with Ford to buy its Jaguar and Ford divisions, due for an official announcement any time now. He also sits on Fiat’s board and has an alliance with Fiat in India as well as with the Benetton group and furniture maker Poltrona Fraum, according to Italy’s Finanza e Mercati daily. Fiat owns 85 percent of Ferrari, with an option to buy another 5 percent by the end of July.
“I have two passions in my life: cars and aircraft. I’ve always dreamed of being a fighter pilot and I confirm the desire to participate as a shareholder in Ferrari,” Tata said in an interview in Italy’s L’Espresso weekly.
In another statement, Tata says the Ferrari chief piqued his curiosity, as Tata believes the two share a vision and make similar purchases, most likely not referring to everyday items.



03/07, 1:36 PM
posted by:
Ray Sinclair
I wonder if Enzo’s rolling some major RPM’s in his grave right now.
03/07, 1:36 PM
posted by:
Ray Sinclair
1st and 2nd,. Boobies.
03/07, 1:52 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
where did this guy get his money from and how come he hasn’t let me borrow any
03/07, 1:54 PM
posted by:
Ray Sinclair
I think the photo for this story should be a red Tata Nano with a huge Ferrari badge on the hood.
03/07, 2:02 PM
posted by:
dmanero
This would be an embaressment for Ferrari if they allow him stake in their company. Have you even seen that crap he showed up at the auto shows. Jagaur is going down hill already and with Tata on the board it’ll be none exsistent within a couple of years.
Whats next Tata wants to be part of Lamborgini too, er sorry, Audi. Please due rather spend your money to improve you home land.
03/07, 2:18 PM
posted by:
hateful83
I’m sure he got his money from enslaving the working class in his country. Lets see what becomes of the brands he’s affiliated with.
03/07, 2:20 PM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
OK, now Im worried.
03/07, 2:29 PM
posted by:
dmanero
well seriously would we even consider buying a car the is supported by a owner from the Fourth world. I think not. It’s already a disgrace that the Saudi do nothing for their people not we have wanabes from inda, whats next.
03/07, 3:02 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Get over yourselves boys. Just take a look at this years F1 schedule and that will tell you where the new money is. India even has a team of their own this year. Ferrari’s not stupid and continued domination in the exotic car world and on the track ain’t cheap.
03/07, 3:07 PM
posted by:
DaBun07
wow dmanero, talk about ignorance, 4th world country?, wannabes from india? you do realize that india and china are the worlds biggest and fastest growing economies, property in india alone has grown about 300% in the last five years, 4 of the top 10 richest people in the world are Indians. You fail to realize one thing TATA cars are built for that country what more do u want out of a car that costs a mere 2 – 3 thousand dollars. …and your comment “well seriously would we even consider buying a car the is supported by a owner from the Fourth world. I think” he already sits on the board for fiat dumbass. you prolly couldnt even afford a ferrari steering wheel let alone buy one.. dick
03/07, 3:18 PM
posted by:
DaBun07
i honestly dont expect anything less from you LimpPENIS640mm penis breath
03/07, 3:29 PM
posted by:
cwwilson
The end of Ferrari as we know it.
03/07, 3:31 PM
posted by:
mg198242
I’m a huge Ferrari, so for me this has to be the worst news of the year!!!
03/07, 3:35 PM
posted by:
mg198242
As long as they sign a deal, and Tata become a sponsor for Ferrari and maybe importer for Ferrari in India, not bad news, but if they get involved more, then in hell with Tata.
03/07, 3:39 PM
posted by:
DaBun07
u people are idiots… you do realize that if Tata does get the opportunity to buy a stake in ferrari it would be minimal at best, it would change nothing at all, if anything it would help the company because it would just increase the company’s cash assets. dumb twits
03/07, 4:48 PM
posted by:
gizmo2
Business Guys, Business. It’s all about the money. Share Holders in these companies care about how much they can make, they are not centimental about the cars, they want you to be, so you buy them and make them rich.
03/07, 5:13 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
HA!
Michael Schumacher is going to be Tata’s bitch!
03/07, 6:29 PM
posted by:
gbb
Probably the most stupid thing I have ever read. Tata is about 7 steps lower on the food chain than Kia/Hundai. They all build nothing but crap. What good could this bring to Ferrari? Smells like **** to me.
03/07, 7:36 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
LMAO…RicardoHead…that sounds sooo wrong!
Ferrari, you ARE going down the drain for even considering talking to scum like Tata. Don’t worry though, you’ll always be one step below Lamborghini, with or without Tata.
03/07, 9:57 PM
posted by:
autonut
RicardoHead, for the money Schumacher making I doubt that he minds. Most of us are prostituting ourselves to the highest bidder (some in more or less degrading form then others) but not driving Ferraris.
03/07, 11:14 PM
posted by:
ecks
It’s ironic that so many people here hate india, when their own parents or they themselves haven’t even visited India. You guys talk about Indians being “Disease ridden terrorists ” ?
Uhm.. The last time i checked, you Americans were the slavery masters.. You talk about Indian Econ being crappy.. Well the Indian econ isn’t in recession I guess.
There really isn’t a cure for ignorant people like “LimpPenis” ! He is probably some 14 year old, sad and depressed drug snorting kid in the U.S. who couldn’t even afford the F of Ferrari.
As for Tata wanting a stake in Ferrari, I guess you people don’t know that Tata Tech already supplies major tech and software to Fiat and Ferrari.. So the next time you people drive/see a Ferrari or a Fiat, remember that it already has Tata Technology.
03/08, 12:06 AM
posted by:
Veda
Let me remind you guys that Lamborghini was once owned by the family of the Indonesian dictator that currently tops the UN’s world corruptor list for the amount he stole. Yet nobody gives a damn about giving money to a murderous thief. Now you’re bitching about some sly businessman who’s buying a stake in Ferrari… this is not a religion people, Ferrari is a business just like any other. But of course being 16 year olds living in isolated US, you all know nothing of the outside world much less the business world.
03/08, 12:22 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
The world is changing too fast..Indian company buying Ferrari. I’m with OWWILSON, then end of Ferrai. I think it’s the end of NA/European manufacturing…all goods are now manufactured in cheap ass developing nations now. And it’s all so boring, cheap, and weird.
03/08, 4:15 AM
posted by:
sanfranmac
TATA of India- is a 140 year old company. It was a corporation before any of the big names- including Mercedes Benz, was a corporation. It started making high quality steel in the late 1890’s- and supplied virtually half of Britain’s World War-I and WW- II effort. In other words- half of you a-holes on this blog who’re speaking thru your a-holes- get an education and look beyond your little basement porn-rooms.
As of now- Tata is among the world’s top steel corporations- and one of its flagships- is among the top 10 software companies of the world. It has manufactured (AND DESIGNED) Mercedes truck transmissions for 60 years. The next time you see a Freightliner truck on a US highway- you’ll see some of Tata engineering. With uneducated jerks like you freaks representative of 80% of the US, is it any wonder that the rest of the world, especially India- is passing us by?
03/08, 10:02 AM
posted by:
jayjc08
DaBun07- This isn’t about who has the most frutile economy, this is about who can build the best car. Do you believe that Tata can build a better car than Ferrari?
Sanfranmac- Once again, I’ll ask you the same thing Do you still think that Tata can build a better car than Ferrari?
All of you people basing it off of Tatas history, and India’s economy- shove a plug in your mouth. We’re not talking about who has the better history, or who has the growing economy. We’re talking about who can make the better car, and if it’s going to affect Ferrari. So far, Tata has built some of the worst vehicles, period. You get what you pay for in this case. And at the total opposite of the spectrum, Ferrari has built some of the fastest, most expensive cars in the world. I don’t think Tata should participate with Ferrari’s vehicle making and designation.
03/08, 11:20 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Limp Penis, I’m sure your boycott of Ferrari has them worried. What were you going to refuse to buy, by the way, a $2.00 Hot Wheels Fiorano? LOL! Loser!
03/08, 11:21 AM
posted by:
DaBun07
jayjc08-
If tata were to buy a stake…Ferrari would remain unchanged, they will still be built in italy, nothing will be outsourced all it will do is give Ferrari/Fiat more cash assets. which in turn they can spend on research and development.
03/08, 11:23 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
DaBun, out comments came out within the same 10 second window. Good sentiment.
03/08, 5:21 PM
posted by:
El Aleman
Even though their cars are crap compared to western standards, I have huge respect for Tata. A few years back I read their car division has a profit margin of 8%, comparable to BMW, who’s average sold cars are probably close to 10 times as expensive.
Tata is definetely gonna be one of the major players in the car game in 10-15 years time, watch out..
03/09, 11:30 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
All prejudices aside, people, Tata’s influence won’t hurt Ferrari in any way and who knows? They might actually insist that Ferrari builds a reliable car for once!
03/09, 2:42 PM
posted by:
LexusSoarer
I hear that Tata is also considering acquiring Aston Martin, TVR, Koenigsegg, the entire McLaren team, and Chrysler.
03/10, 7:50 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Hahahaha, I love how the western world reacts to any power that doesn’t have English as their main language (Though I’m sure more Indian people speak English than Americans do – at least more accurately – no southern drawl missing out letters and such with their bastardised English!)
You guys are just precious.
03/10, 7:51 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
BTW yes everything should have an “s” not a “z”…
So, criticiSe India all you want, it’s funny…
BTW it’s also Colour not Color…
03/22, 2:05 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Oh,hell no!
04/02, 2:18 AM
posted by:
nite41
wow!!
some people who write comments here are really emotional! impressive!
well, guys/gals, today’s world is mostly about money and business.
and right now, and in the future, money and business will only be in india or china. like it or not!
i wonder most of the people here who comment on TATAs coming from a 4th world country, well 99% of you won’t even have the money to buy a ferrari poster! Ratan Tata has money enough to buy Land Rover and Jaguar, and some more money to buy a stake in Ferrari! i bet, with an attitude like yours, you won’t even be able to take a ferrari for a test drive;) hahaha..
just for the record:
4 out of 10 richest in world are indians.
india has more millionaires than japan.
indian economy is growing at more than 8% per year.
usa is in recession !! right!! hahahaha.