The sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata means that the two British marques will have to look elsewhere for the parts normally supplied by Ford. Following the news that Daimler could be a supplier to both automakers comes word from Dr. Z himself that a deal is a distinct possibility.
Daimler holds a seven-percent stake in Tata Motors, which could make an easy case for Mercedes to supply Jag and L.R. with the necessary components to wean them off of Ford. Dieter Zetsche told Auto Motor und Sport that, "If Ratan Tata approaches us regarding the supply of components, we would be open to talks." AMG-powered XF, anyone?
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
James Garner recovering from mild stroke
VIDEO: God's ringtone is a V10-powered Audi R8
IIHS releases official results on the smart fortwo
Tragedy at LeMons: Send love and a little bit more
Officially Official: New Ferrari California exposed!
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
_thumbnail.jpg "Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frank @ May 5th 2008 1:39PM
Now Dr. Z can screww over 3 companies instead of just one.
British_ROver @ May 5th 2008 1:42PM
Hmhhh mercedes bluetec diesel tech for US market Land Rovers please.
That is the last stumbling block for Diesel rovers in the US according to my sources. They just can't get the emissions clean enough to meet 50 state requirements yet.
Alex @ May 5th 2008 1:43PM
I thought Tata was going to source parts from FIAT, likewise FIAT (namely Alfa Romeo) was going to source platforms from Jaguar.
Richard @ May 5th 2008 1:44PM
Here's to switch gear and HVAC controls in Jaguars that cannot also be seen on your average sales rep. variety Taurus.
British_ROver @ May 5th 2008 2:18PM
Have you seen the switch gear in the mid level and under Mercs lately? It looks straight out of the Chrysler parts bin. Jag/LR would be better off with their current bits.
Richard @ May 5th 2008 5:07PM
I had not.
I forgot about the Chrysler/ Daimler dalliance.
psarhjinian @ May 5th 2008 1:51PM
Note to Tata's executives,
Do not, I repeat, do not let Mercedes management anywhere near you or any of your subsidiaries. Did you see what these people did to Chrysler? Have you seen the problems they've caused their own operations? Do you really want them running anything more complicated than the cafeteria?
I'd sooner see Tata leaning on Ford. At least Ford wouldn't see Tata as a competitor, what with having nothing to sell in that market.
hashiryu @ May 5th 2008 2:27PM
Agreed...truer words have never been spoken.
Mike @ May 5th 2008 1:57PM
"AMG-powered XF, anyone?"
How about an AMG-powered Nano? Now we're talking.
MemphisNET @ May 5th 2008 2:00PM
Make a few flagship products, boast ''superior german engineering fleshed out with timeless British design'', bleed them dry, push them out the door (while bashing them no less).
Yes Jag, LR, go for it!
mk @ May 5th 2008 3:14PM
So, let me get this straight...
the Range Rover was designed by BMW for a BMW engine, got sold to ford, and re-fitted with the AJ V8 derivative, which Ford helped Jaguar develop.
Now it got sold again, and perhaps again might be getting a german engine, but this time a MB?
And Daimler Jags might actually have links to Daimler Benzes?
Fun, fun, fun.
James @ May 5th 2008 3:34PM
Funny, Jag acquired Daimler in 1960... Now another Daimler may be supplying parts to Jag...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_Motor_Company
Tool @ May 5th 2008 3:51PM
Now you're talking. The current Jaguar/Land Rover powertrains are mediocre at best. Of course, with the new 5.0 380+ HP V8s coming out later this year might change this.
But if the engines were supplied by Mercedes, I would be more inclined to purchase a Land Rover.
gkoenig @ May 5th 2008 4:18PM
I am all for it.
Jags have always been stunning looking but ultimately gutless and unreliable. Perhaps with some Mercedes hardware and Siemens electronics, they might finally get those two issues fixed. High end Mercedes switch gear for the interior bits would also help.
As to Land Rover; the company needs to go on a reliability Jihad. For decades now, Land Rovers have had this big disconnect; somehow they are the "go anywhere" "best 4x4 by far," but they have lived on the bottom of reliability ratings. My '01 Discovery II suffered 2 massive failures under warranty (a new set of differentials, exhaust headers, half shafts and eventually a new crank). One of my neighbors came home with a brand new Range Rover - such a stunning vehicle, until he had to take it right back to Land Rover Portland where it spent 4 weeks getting a new electrical system.
Richard @ May 5th 2008 5:19PM
Jaguar gutless? Huh? Not!
Unreliable? Better - by far - since Ford.
Beautiful? Without parallel - ever!
So they have no sales for years, introduce something that looks like it came out of a Lexus Board meeting waste bin and, viola, they post an increase in sales. No accounting for taste.
Now, if ze Germans got a hold of her, the Cat would surely be killed and Sir William would probably rise from the grave and haunt the management of Tata.
I say no!
Mallory @ May 5th 2008 7:18PM
Wow, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mercedes, a regular trifecta of poor quality. Pick up VW and you guys could corner the market.
manishg @ May 12th 2008 4:02AM
daimler owns 10% stake in Tata motors if nobody new that.... tht explains why it would be better for tata motors