Autoblog

REPORT: Ex-Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may take over at Jaguar-Land Rover

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Jaguar, Land Rover, Opel, Rumormill

It appears that outgoing Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may have already lined up a new gig for himself. According to The Times of London, Forster will become an employee of Tata Motors and take the top job at Jaguar-Land Rover. If this appointment comes through, it will be something of a homecoming for Forster who was born and raised in London. Additionally, Forster also ran production at BMW when it owned the late Rover Group.

Forster left General Motors Europe after publicly disagreeing with the way the company handled the aborted sale of Opel and Vauxhall to Magna International. Forster is not the only one that was not pleased with the results - most news accounts suggest that British and German governments are increasingly unlikely to help GM with its European restructuring. Tata has not publicly commented on the Forster appointment, but it could happen as soon as this week.

[Source: Times of London]

REPORT: Ex-Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may take over at Jaguar-Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata confirms closing of Jaguar or Land Rover plant

Dan Roth — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, UK, Tata

When the economy gets dinged, luxury vehicles gets massive dents. Jaguar and Land Rover haven't been the most profitable aut for a while, and parent company Tata is studying which of two plants it would shut to try and stem some of the losses; Solihull or Castle Bromwich.

It sounds drastic, but the pain of closing a plant and shedding underutilized capacity - about 40 percent of JLR's production overhead is going unused - could head off outright failure. Production has been pulled back already, while jobs have been cut and wages frozen, so word of the closing is just more bad news, but Jaguar Land Rover CEO David Smith is committed to taking "decisive actions" to see the storied marques through. The union, of course, is unhappy, and a meeting will be going forward between the company and GMB officials to determine what actions might be taken on both sides.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image Source: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty]

Tata confirms closing of Jaguar or Land Rover plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ratan Tata: All future Jaguars and Land Rovers to feature aluminum construction

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST

2010 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar has been touting the aluminum-intensive construction of the XJ sedan since the previous-generation model was introduced back in 2003. According to the automaker, the use of aluminum in lieu of steel can lead to an impressive 40 percent reduction in weight. That's bound to have positive effects on driving dynamics, performance and efficiency.

With its latest redesign, Jaguar claims to have improved its aluminum architecture even further, so it's not surprising that the company plans to extend the technology to the rest of its line. According to Ratan Tata, chairman of the company that now owns Jaguar Land Rover, "JLR is planning to have all its future cars constructed with light weight aluminum bodies resulting in considerable savings in weight, and reduction in CO₂ emissions."

To go along with their new diets, Jaguar and Land Rover are known to be experimenting with hybrid powertrains. A kinetic energy recovery system may be in the cards for the XJ line in 2011 while Land Rover has been working on an Electric Rear Axle Drive that could debut in the upcoming LRX compact Range Rover.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ

[Source: Motor E Magazine]

Ratan Tata: All future Jaguars and Land Rovers to feature aluminum construction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata considers more Jaguar/Land Rover cuts after massive loss

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, Tata

2010 Land Rover LR4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

India's Tata Motors has reported a net loss of $520 million (25.05 billion rupees) for the fiscal year ending in March of 2009. Over the same period one year earlier, Tata managed to earn 21.68 billion rupees in profit. What gives? Naturally, the global economic meltdown didn't do the automaker any favors, but the main problem can be sourced back to the poor performance of Jaguar and Land Rover, which the Indian automaker purchased from Ford last year with the help of a $3 billion bridge loan.

The fact that Jaguar Land Rover accounted for $504 million of that $520 million total loss means that more job cuts and plant shutdowns are in store for the ailing British duo. Says Tata Vice Chairman Ravi Kant:

We have sent people on sabbatical, gone for cheaper low-cost country sourcing and tight control in cash flows, and are assisting JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) for a major belt tightening.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Tata was in search of some £1 billion ($1.5B) in cash and underwriting help to pump into the JLR operations.

Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Discovery 4

[Source: Reuters]

Tata considers more Jaguar/Land Rover cuts after massive loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: updated Range Rover Sport to join facelifted, Jag-engined Landies

Noah Joseph — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Land Rover

Reports indicate that Land Rover is planning to facelift nearly its entire range later this year, including refreshed versions of the LR3, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Spy shots of the latter's test mules indicate that the updated luxury off-roaders will be distinguished by modest revisions to the bumpers, grille and headlamps, in addition to refreshed interiors.

The juicy news, however, is under the bonnet, where sources suggest the latest Jaguar engines will find their new home. In addition to Jaguar's 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that is already confirmed to migrate to the Land Rovers, reports now indicate that the XF's 5.0-liter V8 will feature in the update SUVs, including a torque-tuned take on the supercharged version from the XFR for the most powerful Range Rovers. Considering that the engine propelled the XFR to a top speed of 225 mph at Bonneville, we could be looking at one wickedly fast Range Rover when all is said and done.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: updated Range Rover Sport to join facelifted, Jag-engined Landies originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar and Land Rover cut 450 jobs

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, UK

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Jaguar XFR

Just days after introducing what are sure to be two of its best cars in over a decade, Jaguar, along with its partner-in-crime Land Rover, has announced that it's trimming some 450 workers from its global ranks. Hardest hit will be management, which will see its membership drop by about 300 employees, with the remaining 150 coming from J-LR's hourly staff. It probably goes without saying why the reductions are necessary, but here it goes anyway... Sales were down in 2008 due to a poor global economy and the general lack of available credit, and 2009 isn't expected to shape up much better. Fewer cars sold means fewer workers are necessary to build them and a smaller pot is available to pay from.

J-LR, which is now owned by Tata Motors of India, still has four manufacturing sites in England and is hoping that the government in the U.K. will offer some form of assistance to the remaining automotive sector, but so far, none has come.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XFR

[Source: Reuters]

Jaguar and Land Rover cut 450 jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar Land Rover joins Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Jaguar, Land Rover

Whenever there's auto industry-related lobbying going on in Washington D.C., the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is there. Consisting of eleven automakers representing 77 percent of all vehicle sales in the United States, the Auto Alliance has a "role in shaping meaningful public policy on the federal, state and even global levels," according to President and CEO Dave McCurdy. The newest member of the Alliance is Jaguar Land Rover, representing the two brands that were recently sold by Ford Motor Company to Tata Motors.

With the addition of the Indian-owned, British-based automaker, the membership now consists of BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.

[Source: Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers]

Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover joins Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Jaguar Land Rover joins Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover

It looks as if Ford is finally putting a fork in the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors... it's done. According to a statement from Ford, which can be read after the break, the sale of the two British automakers has been officially finalized as of today. Ford also wishes the best for its recently departed companies and their employees. Awww, isn't that sweet? We're glad we can all still be friends.

At Jaguar Land Rover, things seem to be business as usual. The company has announced that its new proud papa, Tata Motors, has named former CFO David Smith the new CEO for Jaguar and Land Rover. You may recall the untimely death of Geoff Polites, the company's previous CEO. Today's announcement of Smith's new appointment comes right on schedule based on past information provided by the company. Smith has already been the acting CEO since Polites' death late last April.

[Sources: Ford and Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Continue reading Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO

Jaguar/Land Rover sale a done deal, Tata names new CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid Jags and Land Rovers coming in five years

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Government/Legal, Green, Jaguar, Land Rover

With the cash-infusion that Jaguar and Land Rover are getting from their recent acquisition by Tata Motors, hybrid vehicle development for the two brands is now underway. Indeed, production hybrid vehicles are expected within the next five years. A three-liter liter diesel six cylinder engine, an enlarged version of the current 2.7 liter, and a new five-liter direct injected V8 will be used for these planned hybrids. While JLR knows it wants a hybrid, the exact system for development is still under debate. Mercedes plans to use a new transmission from supplier ZF for its upcoming S-Class, and Jaguar is said to be considering this unit as well. According to Autocar, another option for Land Rover is known internally as the 'Electric Rear Axle Drive' electric motor.

Both Jaguar and Land Rover have recently received government funding for the development of eco-friendly technologies, and much of the work for the upcoming hybrids is expected to be completed as part of these initiatives.

[Source: Autocar]

Hybrid Jags and Land Rovers coming in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Package Deal: Tata buys 5 British marques for the price of 2

Noah Joseph — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, Roewe, Tata

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Daimler Super 8

While most of the automotive press is reporting on Tata's acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford's Premier Automotive Group, the fine print shows that the Indian automaker got a whole package of classic British marques to go along with them. In addition to Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata also acquired the rights to use the names of Rover, Daimler and Lanchester.

The Rover name previously belonged to BMW, which bought the Rover group 14 years ago. Although Shanghai (SAIC) bought the rights to produce Rover products, BMW refused to license the name to them (leaving SAIC to label its cars Roewe), instead selling it to Ford who secured the name to avoid confusion with Land Rover. The Daimler name, through an age-old licensing agreement with the Mercedes parent company, is used by Jaguar for a line of even more luxurious versions of its XJ sedan range. The Lanchester name is likewise attached to Jaguar, but having produced its first motor car in 1895, has laid dormant since 1956.

Although the three brands are barely in use, they transfer ownership to Tata along with Jaguar and Land Rover. The option will remain Tata's whether or not to utilize the names, but we wouldn't expect the Indian auto giant to lay out the cash to launch additional brands while it shoulders the financial burden of the $2.3 billion acquisition. We wouldn't be surprised, however, to see Tata license any of the names it can to help raise the funds.

Gallery: Daimler Super 8

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subscription required]

Package Deal: Tata buys 5 British marques for the price of 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Tata buys Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion

John Neff — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:41:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, India, Tata

Ford has issued a press release confirming that it has sold both Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors for an approximate price of $2.3 billion, which comes under some numbers as high as $2.65 billion that were being tossed around yesterday. The rumor that Ford will contribute to pension funds associated with the brands is also true, as it confirmed that $600 million will be dropped into the retirement coffers of the brands once the deal closes. It is, of course, subject to regulatory approval in a number of countries, but the automaker expects the deal to be done by the end of the following quarter. As part of the deal, Ford will continue to supply powertrains, stampings and other unnamed vehicle components to Tata for "differing periods", as well as R&D research, environmental and platform technologies, and even accounting services, among others. Clearly the ties that bind Jaguar Land Rover to Ford are strong and will take some time to undo. Judging from the press release, it seems all parties involved, including the employees of Jaguar Land Rover, are pleased with how the deal went down, and for the time being both brands will be run business as usual during the transition period.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Officially Official: Tata buys Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion

Officially Official: Tata buys Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar can borrow Land Rover labor for XF launch

John Neff — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar

click above image for high-res gallery of 2009 Jaguar XF

As we've previously reported, initial demand for the Jaguar XF is high. The crew from Coventry needs its new luxury sedan to be a hit and would presumably like to sell as many possible when it hits showrooms next March, but the current capacity at its remaining plant in the British Midlands is limited by a number of factors, one of which is the size of its labor force. Luckily, Land Rover operates a plant in the vicinity. Both work forces are represented by the labor union Unite, which agreed to a "mobility of labor" provision in its contracts with both automakers. The provision allows for workers to move between each plant for up to 12 weeks at a time.

Jaguar hasn't yet decided whether or not it will borrow workers from Land Rover for the XF launch. It will likely make the decision only if it's deemed necessary to meet demand, though a representative for Land Rover claims that it's based on a number of factors and demand might not even affect the decision. In our estimation, Jaguar's going to sell the XF like cupcakes and should build as many as it can.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Gallery: 2009 Jaguar XF

Jaguar can borrow Land Rover labor for XF launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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