Tata hits back over Jaguar and Land Rover claims

Friday, 11 January 2008

Tata has hit back at suggestions it would struggle to take on the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Chairman Ratan Tata told the Financial Times his group would make a better owner of Jaguar and Land Rover than Ford.

Ratan Tata: Claims he will be a good owner

Tata dismissed concerns that the lower-end carmaker would add little value to the luxury marques and said it would keep its luxury sector separate from the existing range.

Credit concerns

Fears about Tata's bid for Jaguar and Land Rover were raised this week after credit rating firm Standard & Poors put the company on “credit watch with negative implications”. S&P claimed that the potential acquisitions could have a negative impact on the Indian carmaker's corporate credit ratings. Tata's share price has also performed tentatively since the company expressed its interest in Land Rover and Jaguar in July. Last week Ford singled out Tata as the official frontrunner for the British brands when it announced it had entered into “focused” talks with the carmaker.

10 Jan 2008 - Jaguar and Land Rover sale fears grow
10 Jan 2008 - Tata launches world's cheapest car

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Jonathan Owen said:

The motives behind t...
The motives behind this takeover are the same as Fords originally were - to trade up - the potential for unit profit on a car with a halo name is tempting. I think Tata might find themselves with a gem - Ford have largely resolved the major QA issues in Jaguar and the range is good - handled well it could be good for the future of these great names - It is a pity that Ford are having to bail out having done so much work but I say good luck to Tata - There is much cultural sympathy between the UK and India and I see no reason why it shouldn't work well - Having said that my fingers are crossed some clever accountant doesn't decide to tear the heart out of the last of the Midlands motor industry and build the cars outside the UK. As an aside I can't help thinking that the new super cheap Tata is the Nuova 500 story from Fiat in the 1950's - Angnelli built an empire on that and India in 2008 is a much bigger Market than post war Italy

January 21, 2008
Votes: +0

Keith said:

	As a Land Rover and ... As a Land Rover and Jaguar owner who has succeeded in his aspirations to own the products after years of ambition, I struggle to accept that my Tata XF or Discovery will carry the same kudos as my current cars. Ford is a great firm with pedigree and heritage. Tata makes the cheapest car in the world doesn't it? That says it all for me.
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January 16, 2008
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This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it said:

	I have a range rover... I have a range rover sport, great car, but will this take over make the range more poor sounding. After all the Brummie always looked down others, even the poor back street types.
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January 14, 2008
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John Garrod said:

Ford have made their...
Ford have made their decision to sell the Jaguar & Land Rover Marque, therefore we need the best buyer who will continue to use UK facilities, expertise and take the marques forward. It appears that Tata will do just this, by performing the role of a banker. This must be better than the Chinese, who have no experience in motor engineering, buying another UK vehicle manufacturing company and not having the expertise to carry forward the business using UK technology.

January 14, 2008
Votes: +0

Brian McLean said:

	Despite Ford's recen... Despite Ford's recent poor financial performance they are, I believe, still one of the worlds most innovative and progressive companies. Giving Tata the opportunity to show what can be done with the Land Rover /Jaguar brands by a future motor 'super power'follows in the Ford tradition and its good business !!
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January 11, 2008
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Andrew Cohen said:

	I agree with TATA. I... I agree with TATA. It will be a better owner than Ford as shown by their recent acquisitions. They currently own some of the world's luxurious brands in hospitality industry. The Software co they own is also known for churning out very high quality software development. Besides its one of the few companies in the world respected for its values.
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