The Auto Writer » Jaguar

Jaguar Rolls Out A Pair Of Cats

MattK — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:04:26 +0000

2010 Jaguar XKR (left); 2010 Jaguar XFR (right) -- both models were recently unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the first new models showcased by Jaguar since being purchased by Tata Motors last summer.

Tata Completes Jaguar, Land Rover Deal

MattKeegan — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:40:19 +0000

It took much longer than some had expected, but the deal is now done: India’s Tata Motors is now the owner of British makes Jaguar and Land Rover.

With the sale, the Ford Motor Company has freed itself from a pair of headaches, two huge drains on its bottom line. And with Aston Martin a previous sale, Ford’s premium car line up now consists only of Volvo, though the company may once again have the funds available to raise Lincoln up to that category.

Production To Stay In The UK

Tata Motors at first glance seems to be a terrible match for Jaguar and Land Rover, but then again there wasn’t much the two makes could do to thwart the sale though they tried. Concerns that production would be moved from the UK to India almost scuttled the deal until Ratan Tata and company assured the unions that production would remain in place.

Good-Bye Big Losses

For its part, Ford is receiving $2.3 billion for Jaguar and Land Rover, about half the price the company paid for the companies. Since buying Jaguar nearly 20 years ago the brand has lost $10 billion. Until recently, Land Rover also put up significant losses, but the company has managed to turn a small profit of late.

Gone, But Not Quite

Ford’s obligation to Land Rover and Jaguar isn’t quite over as the company agreed to pick up approximately $600 million in pension costs. In addition, Ford will continue to supply certain components including power trains for some models. Finally, Ford Motor Credit will continue to provide financing for Jaguar and Land Rover dealers for the next 12 months.

Jaguar XF: The Cat Has Arrived!

MattK — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:07:19 +0000

It is time for me to come clean: the Jaguar brand hasn’t been one make that I have admired much, preferring luxury cars from Mercedes, Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Infiniti over what the Cat has to offer. I’ll even take most plain jane Volvos over a Jag any day. I can’t put my finger on it, but Jaguar hasn’t exactly bowled me over down through the years.

At least that was the case until I saw the all-new XF, a 2009 model that just hit Jaguar showrooms in your area. In one word the car is beautiful. The XF’s sleek lines, attractive fascia, and sporty rear deck are well-sculpted, in fact the side views are nice too. Jaguar enthusiasts have long loved the brand, but it seems that the XF has outdone every model made before this one, especially the S-Type the model it has replaced.

In brief, the XF is a rear wheel driven, five passenger sedan powered by a 4.2L V8 engine offering a stiff chassis, numerous luxury appointments and the refinement every luxury car buyer seeks. The XF reminds me of the Lexus LS, but sportier.

No, I haven’t had the chance to test drive an XF (yet) but I plan on getting a hold of one as this sedan will be featured in an upcoming issue of a sport magazine I’m writing for. In the meantime, you’ll have to settle for some links that I have supplied at the end of this article to satiate your appetite. Until then….

Resources:

Official Jaguar XF Website

Photos courtesy/copyright Jaguar Ltd.

Tata Likely To Gain Full Jag, Land Rover Control

MattK — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:01:18 +0000

The Economic Times of India is reporting that the Ford Motor Company will not hold a minority stake in Land Rover and Jaguar once the two luxury British brands are sold to Tata Motors. The unions representing 16,500 Jaguar and Land Rover workers in the UK had insisted that Ford retain a minority interest in the automakers as part of agreeing to the deal, but indications are that Ford wants to completely sell of the brands.

Ford had long been rumored to be interested in selling both Land Rover and Jaguar, particularly after the successful sale of Aston Martin last year. This past fall, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra (a competing Indian automaker) and private equity company OneEquity, expressed interest in the British brands with Tata considered to have an upper hand when negotiations heated up in December.

Ford is asking $2 billion for the two companies and Tata’s bid appears to have won out. Initially, Ford was concerned about Tata’s ability to bring new Jaguar products to market and the company’s ability to meet stringent European emissions standards.

Industry sources expect that a final deal will be announced by the end of February 2008.