It was just on the six pm news that ford are putting Jaguar and Land Rover to try and cut costs.

It'll be interesting to see who would buy them.

I don't think that VAG would be interested in Jaguar - too much overlap with Audi - but Land Rover wouldn't necessarily be out of the question.

Hmmm, I'll await with interest.

Not sure who'd be interested in Jag really, or who's in a position to expand in that sector? The Chinese? :rubchin: :eek:

I would have thought Land Rover will be quite appealing to a few though.

Steve

The main problem that I can see with Land Rover is that with all the talk of Global Warming and emphasis on reducing CO2 emissions , sales of 4x4s are likely to fall.

On the other hand if new owners can manage to introduce more efficient vehicles than the competition then they'll do very nicely out of it.

But why would a company want to buy Landrover or Jaguar when they both make a loss every year? I dont think there will be much interest.

I suppose it depends on valuations doesn't it? If someone sees the purchase as a good acquisition, and can then turn either company round, in terms of profit, it could be quite interesting.

Agree with Alex - if the view of 4x4s can somehow be turned round, with the use of perhaps hybrid or more efficient engines? IMO that's quite possible in the medium term.

Steve

I suppose, but the current engines in the Toureg dont show any green credentials!

I thought Land Rover were just about breaking even or making a tiny profit these days , and if Ford are eager to sell them then it could be a nice cheap buy.

Introduce a new mass market 4x4 thats fuel efficient and sits under the Freelander 2 in the range (as this is now quite a large car) - something similar in concept to the Nissan Qashqai - and they could sell bucket loads

It's all about perception really. And are sales actually slowing in the UK/Europe, in the 4x4 sector (actual question, I'm not sure!)

Also, you can have a derv-powered 4x4 that puts out less CO2 than say, a Mini Cooper-S. Different sectors I know, but the anti-car/environmental lobby are unlikely to start having a go at small hatch drivers

Steve

Rumblings are interest from a jap co in landy, and a german firm in Jag (although rumours dont say maker - interestingly enough)

Between them BMW, Ford and Mercedes-Benz have now tried to tame/realise potential of the following:

Chrysler/Dodge

Land Rover (twice)

Jaguar

Rover/MG (now TWO Chinese co's are having a go)

Aston Martin

Who has big enough pockets or management to run these companies profitably?

Rover/MG will be a much shrunken version of its former self under Chinese management (and was a mostly political move anyway)

Aston will probably be a niche trinket. How will they cope without the economies of scale offered by the Ford parts bin?

But why would a company want to buy Landrover or Jaguar when they both make a loss every year? I dont think there will be much interest.

I'm sure the same could be have been said of Skoda pre-VAG a few years back. It'll all depend on how much technology other companies perceive Land Rover and Jaguar have at their disposal and whether it can be pinched and put into their own line of cars.

Will be very interesting to see who buys them!

Chris

Id love VAG to buy Land Rover....as long as they keep making the Defender , as its the only model they make thats worth buying.

I'm sure the same could be have been said of Skoda pre-VAG a few years back. It'll all depend on how much technology other companies perceive Land Rover and Jaguar have at their disposal and whether it can be pinched and put into their own line of cars.

Indeed. Many of the toys seen on main group cars, actually started life in a sub company. Ford stole many of Mazda's parts and engines, VW will do the same to Seat and Skoda.

The real vaule of these firms to others is their RND and proprietry designs assigned to the sub rather than main group.

Although ford pumped in cash, they kept a lot of bits proprietry to each firm in case they ever needed to pull the plug and sell them.