Ratan Tata, the man and mover behind Tata motors, is doing a Meet the Parents tour with Jaguar's oldest and largest U.S. dealers. As the best businesspeople do, he is flying across the States to meet the men and women in charge of his newest brand. Incredibly, it is the first time he has ever stepped inside a Jaguar dealership.
Ratan has probably gone on the whistle-stop tour not only to get to know his dealers, but so his new partners could get a glimpse of the man they've all been wary of ever since Tata emerged as a front-running buyer for the brand. What were dealers telling him? They want they want a convertible sports car like the F-Type, a convertible XJ, and an even more upscale car to compete with Bentley.
Dealer reaction has been effusive. The head of Jaguar's dealer council -- who said India was no place for Jaguar -- reversed himself after meeting Tata, saying flat out, "I was wrong." And said Norm Aron, owner of a 55-year-old dealership in Illinois, "I'm telling you this: He's going to make something out of Jaguar. We're in good hands now." Score one for Mr. Tata, and please, Ratan, keep it up. Thanks for the tip, Mannix!
[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ashish @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:04PM
Oh My god it RATAN Tata.
Not looking for typos, but you guys couldnt get a name right. thrice?
jaguarlady @ Jul 11th 2008 12:18PM
Also the name of the owner of the Jaguar dealer in Illinois for 55 years is Allen Aron, NOT Norm Aron!
Geeky1 @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:06PM
Joking about optional curry scented air fresheners aside, I'd like to see this work out. I like Jaguars, and I haven't been very impressed with the S type or the X type.
Xcountryflyer @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:29PM
Tata has bigger pockets than bleeding red Ford. Tata wants to be a world player and that bodes well for Jaguar resources. The XF is great and hopefully just the start of a bigger turnaround.
abhilash005 @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:07PM
He is RATAN Tata not RAJAN Tata. He might have bought 'J'aguar but he dint replace 'T'(ata) with 'J'(aguar) !!
Alex @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:10PM
I have full faith in Ratan and his abilities. Like i have said before, he is going out there with the full intention of proving to the world that an Indian based company can not produce world class vehicles, but that they can do it with a company that is currently in a beaten and weakened condition.
With Tata's money, and Ian's designs Jaguar is quickly on its way to becoming the vaunted and powerful auto house that it once was.
Not that my opinion matters... but none the less, i am supremely excited.
Gregg @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:19PM
The man is bright, personable, humble, uber-rich and successfully schooled in many other endeavors besides motor vehicles...and I hear tell he is gay. Now, how much better hands could Ford-mauled Jaguar be in now?
Dhawal @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:27PM
its Ratan Tata and not "Rajan Tata"
rouse42 @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:30PM
The head of Jaguar's dealer council -- who said India was no place for Jaguar -- reversed himself after meeting Tata, saying flat out, "I was wrong."
wouldn't you if your job was in jeopardy.
DesiAuto @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:34PM
come on, he said "i was wrong" because he realized that he hasn't stepped outside certain geographical area and doesn't really understand the world.
Eddie @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:47PM
I really want to see Jaguar do well. I saw a XF Supercharged in the highway a few days ago and I really liked it.
Pluton @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:59PM
Welcome to Quick-e-Mart, NO, welcome to Jaguar... Woul d you like some slurpees?
Alex @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:25PM
you are pretty funny... for an ass.
and the Kwik-E-Mart sells squishees.
Blake @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:41PM
@ Alex:
+2
LMBVette @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:06PM
My g/f just bought an XF. Very nice car and she absolutely loves it. I love the interior lighting...it's like a Motorola RAZR...very cool. The rear end looks a lot like an Aston Martin and it gets a lot of looks.
I hope Tata does Jaguar right!
DesiAuto @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:29PM
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/FREE/940478590/1023/LATESTNEWS
very insightful article and interesting user comments , thanks for the link AB
Driver X @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:55PM
Rick Wagoneer you could learn something from this.
CORVETTE ZR1 @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:19PM
Thats Cool and All. but... as long as Ford is still supplying parts to TaTa. Jaguar is not going any where... Good.
Kotse @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:02PM
So no more "grey poupon" then...just pass the "chutney" this time around. ;p
DesiAuto @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:23PM
dude, people can post whenever they want ... they can also NOT post whenever they want ...
is their a autoblog rule that you have to open your "piehole" with every new post?
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