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RATAN TATA is expected to appoint a senior Ford executive to run Jaguar and Land Rover, the two British carmakers that he is on the point of acquiring.
Ford last week confirmed as revealed by The Sunday Times in November that Tata was preferred bidder for the British marques.
The American group is selling them as part of a major restructuring plan. Senior industry sources said last week that Tata was likely to name a top Ford executive in Europe as chief executive of the Jaguar-Land Rover group. The current chief executive is Geoff Polities, an Australian car-industry veteran.
It is understood that Tata plans few immediate changes to the businesses, with the UK operations and model plans kept intact.
Tata will this week reveal the scale of his automotive ambitions when he unveils his long-awaited “people’s car”.
The “one lakh” car (one lakh equals 100,000 rupees or about £1,225) is specifically for India and neighbouring countries. It is a small, four-seater hatchback intended as a step up from motorcycles and three-wheelers. The price is about half that of the cheapest new car on the Indian market.
It has a steel chassis and plastic body panels, and is powered by a 660cc two-cylinder engine.
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I'd buy shares in Jaguar. TATA are sure to revive the company. The effeciency record of the company together with the culture of putting manpower before profit practice of the company has borne fruit in the past. Dont see why it should not work with British companies.
Anil , Prescot, Merseyside
Jaguar and Lond Rover should never have merged into one business. The two brands are worlds apart - not to mention that one is a successful profitable company and the other had its success about 40 years ago! Jaguar should be sold on its own, with production of the Freelander 2 moved to Sollihull. The fact that Jaguar would need to be sold for about £10.75 on its own is a bit of a concern, but how about the Phoenix Consortium getting back together for one last blast? (er, joke)
I think LR should build a smaller 4x4 (LR1), which should be a key market going forward. Less emissions, more environmentally friendly but still with that great Land Rover image.
Few car manufacturers have such a strong AND desirable model line-up - Jaguar doesnt come close, and building on this will restult in years and years of £1bn+ profits.
I dont want to see Land Rover owned by TATA. Okay, they may have the investment, but they dont have the passion (or indeed knowledge) to make great premium cars
Gary McCartney, Preston,
Landrover has a good line up of models hence the massive $1.2bn profit. Jaguars loss was less than expected so it only ate away half of LR's profits. Unfortunately Ford anounce profits as a whole through PAG and Volvo is losing money as well. This then hides the truth that Land Rover has become a successful company with a bright future. Lets hope if Jaguar specialise on smaller volume niche vehicles with high profit margins they will turn the corner shortly into the black.
The key to success in this game is fresh products to capture the audience. Nobody will keep buying the same product with no changes. People look for something different whether it be the styling or powertrain, so on going investment will be the key to taking these companies forward.
I'm sure that we do not need a Ford man to do this look at the state of their business, they waste money by double engineering vehicles for both Europe and the U.S.A.. What a waste of money just develop a world car....
Sam, Worcestershire, England
Jaguar has so many problems since several years. If The current chief executive is Geoff Polities was capable of fixing the problem, then he would have done it.. One of The problems is that, they are far away from Dearborn, MI, USA and they donot give a damn about it, they will do what they want to do. Which is nothing. Lazyness is second problem. Business is as usual. Mark Field could not do it either. My suggestions to Mr. Ratan Tata is, send their Top Effecient Management People, let them study each organization/department top to bottom. Ask each individual management people, what are the problems and what are the solutions. Then study them (problems & solutions) and then develop long term safe & conservative approach to run the Jagauar. Get the right person, it does not matter if he or she is from Ford/Jaguar or other OEMs. Person should have successful track record in turning around the company in a very short time , must be visionary., dynamic, agressive and extremly demanding..
N.M.Shah, Dearborn, MI , USA 48126
"money loosing pits"!!!! Land Rover 2007 $1.2bn profit not bad, record sales Jaguar yes loses but due to bad model line up hopefully on rebound with new xk and xf models no more us lead retro looks.
Andy Beaumont, Coventry,
I think the current Executives know the problem better and can always come up with alternatives under new ownership, which could turnaound the story. It might be possible that due to pressure of huge losses suffered currently they are not able be come up with a good strategy.
CM, Gloucester,
why would he appoint someone who has been part of fords problems. Much better to go with some new blood if these money lossing pits are tobe turned around
Garry Webster, Norwich,