The chairman of India's Tata Group has confirmed that he is interested in acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover from their parent, Ford.
Speaking to Indian TV, Ratan Tata lifted his previous refusal to speculate on a possible Tata bid for the legendary British brands.
He said Tata's interest in Jaguar and Land Rover stemmed from a desire to expand its global presence.
Ford has said there is a more than 50% chance it will sell the carmakers.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6962591.stm
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< Ex RF, Ex TVM >
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Larger Rover City models?
Someone save us, please.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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I would not panic. Tata usually encourage the current management to stay on and proceed on course. Look at Tetleys and Corus.
The City Rover was not meant for Europe - blame the Phoenix four for overpricing it and calling it a Rover. So what would happen if Tata's do go ahead
1: An opening for Land Rovers in India - think of the military orders that could come in
2: Improving the exisitng Tata Range of 4wd's - sharing of components. They would leave LR traditinal markets well alone and keep Tata vehicles for the cheaper segments
3: Some R&D testing/ prototyping done in India reducing development costs - utilise existing creativity but shift the high cost processes to India
4: Open up new markets for Jags - scale down Jag range to more exotic and can the X type
Quite possibly - Ford will still keep a stake in the venture
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Aren't we already building UK vehicles with Indian steel anyway?
Didn't Tata buy what was once British Steel?
VB
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They probably want to build them in Asia for the fast-growing middle-class Asian market, as this will be a huge market for upmarket good in the next 25 years, as the world's economy has shifted from the bankrupt husk of the USA to Asia.
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As ajit says, Tata is generally a well-run company, and I wouldn't be too concerned about them wanting to break Jag/LR up for parts at this stage.
The fact that they make cheap cars for the Indian market is immaterial. The Indica is hardly going to be Rolls Royces for the £2K or so they sell for over there are they?
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