Jaguar and Land Rover could strike a deal with Daimler
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.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frank 1:39PM (5/05/2008)
Now Dr. Z can screww over 3 companies instead of just one.
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British_ROver 1:42PM (5/05/2008)
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.
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Alex 1:43PM (5/05/2008)
I thought Tata was going to source parts from FIAT, likewise FIAT (namely Alfa Romeo) was going to source platforms from Jaguar.
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Richard 1:44PM (5/05/2008)
Here's to switch gear and HVAC controls in Jaguars that cannot also be seen on your average sales rep. variety Taurus.
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British_ROver 2:18PM (5/05/2008)
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 5:07PM (5/05/2008)
I had not.
I forgot about the Chrysler/ Daimler dalliance.
psarhjinian 1:51PM (5/05/2008)
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.
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hashiryu 2:27PM (5/05/2008)
Agreed...truer words have never been spoken.
Mike 1:57PM (5/05/2008)
"AMG-powered XF, anyone?"
How about an AMG-powered Nano? Now we're talking.
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MemphisNET 2:00PM (5/05/2008)
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!
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mk 3:14PM (5/05/2008)
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.
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James 3:34PM (5/05/2008)
Funny, Jag acquired Daimler in 1960... Now another Daimler may be supplying parts to Jag...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_Motor_Company
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Tool 3:51PM (5/05/2008)
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.
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gkoenig 4:18PM (5/05/2008)
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.
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Richard 5:19PM (5/05/2008)
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!
manishg 4:02AM (5/12/2008)
daimler owns 10% stake in Tata motors if nobody new that.... tht explains why it would be better for tata motors
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Mallory 7:18PM (5/05/2008)
Wow, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mercedes, a regular trifecta of poor quality. Pick up VW and you guys could corner the market.
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Thomas 4:55PM (6/08/2008)
Merc bits, no thank you, never, german crap in Jags - hopefully I'll never have to experience this. I am a happy XK8 + XJ6 driver - after devastating experiences with BMW's and my brother with constantly breaking down Merc's. Jags unreliable, rubbish
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Thomas 5:01PM (6/08/2008)
BMW designed the Range Rover - just shows how little people know. It's british designed and the best 4x4 by far !
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