Comments on: Ford, Tata deal more complex and expensive than first thought

By: CERVIE

CERVIE — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:47:02 +0000

will ford still be ford,…in america, same markets, focus

By: corvette

corvette — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:12:42 +0000

they better be more than $2 bill.

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:28:33 +0000

That is hilarious! I want 12 daughters and two monkeys, too. Oh man…

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:55:48 +0000

Here is an excerpt of the Indian business man who is leading the negotiations for Tata.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=FRCxKE1TPZ4

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:02:52 +0000

finger… pie… yummy.

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:02:22 +0000

Maybe Ford has regrets for selling off Aston Martin and doesn’t mind having a finger in the Tata-Jaguar-Land Rover pie.

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:01:02 +0000

Read up on Ratan Tata; he seems like a cool dude with passion and cash, always an excellent combo.

By: lucklaster

lucklaster — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:46:47 +0000

brilliant LP.
just sign on the line………

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:59:47 +0000

This is a win/win. Tata gets Ford’s R&D, Ford profits from the one of the world’s largest growing segments without dedicating significant resources. Next stop: China.

By: Scarface03

Scarface03 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:48:44 +0000

Guys, I think Tata is on to something here. This may not spell doom for LR and Jag, and may actually portend the beginning of a somewhat decent car selling model, and it shows that Tata is serious about the marques.

If Tata can run around Ford’s R&D kindergarten, that’s great, Tata doesn’t need to spend the huge capital costs associated with that. And if Ford can license the engines and tech., all the better for Ford. Let Ford be as involved as it wants to be–it’ll get paid along the way, and it can pretty much avoid the stuff it didn’t do well with LR and Jag anyway–design, market and sell quality cars.

Nothing new going on here. Who here doesn’t love a Ferrari? But it’s hard to believe that virtually none of your favorite Ferraris of all time were penned by someone who actually worked for Ferrari.

Tata can get the job done. I’m hopeful…. for now….

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:20:08 +0000

I hope Ford is smart enough to milk this for all it’s worth. This is like you or I buying a bakery and paying someone else to make the dough. Go ahead Ford, let them play in the R&D nursery. Chances are they won’t know what the f*ck they’re doing anyway, but make them pay dearly for the privilege.

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:19:37 +0000

With the new union deal if Ford don’t really need the cash flow to move forward and just want to get rid of these 2 brands because they keep dragging them down, they should keep them. I agree with out sourcing the technology and keeping the names. Both brands already do a pretty good job at sytling, it’s quality killing them.

By: Veda

Veda — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:07:11 +0000

CTS DRIVER: No big auto company would want those two brands as they don’t make that much compared to what they currently have. Unfortunately for Jag and RR they need the technologies from those companies. That’s why they need to outsource directly to well known auto suppliers. Chassis from Lotus, ZF for transmission, etc etc… I’m sure they won’t turn down a business.

By: lucklaster

lucklaster — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:02:13 +0000

Huge and complex. Ford needed to keep one foot in the door to get someone to shell out that kind of change. Spread the responsibility. I still can’t imagine this. Don’t know if I would ever buy one of these.

By: frylock350

frylock350 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:59:10 +0000

I doubt Ford will let Tata have any part of their research facilities.

Jag and LR’s fates are now sealed. They were great while they lasted….

Oh well Ford can now invest the money in Lincoln.

By: CTS DRIVER

CTS DRIVER — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:36:12 +0000

“The Times of India also indicates that Tata will need access to Ford’s research facilities to upgrade the Jaguar and Land Rover product line”
.
if they want the brands the better be able to do the engineering and upgrades themselves, otherwise everybody has been right about tata not being the right buyer.

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:34:13 +0000

Learn to count philsshon, and why would Ford make this deal if they are going to be so heavily involved?? They might as well keep the brands then. Let Tata make more “Tatas”. The world needs them!

By: Veda

Veda — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:23:16 +0000

Jag should focus on the beautiful styling and outsource everything high tech, I’d still buy it.

By: philsshon

philsshon — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:15:49 +0000

hey more money for ford to deveolp a new rwd lincoln.

oh, and FIRST POST BITCHES! lol

By: sharpie

sharpie — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:15:05 +0000

This is actually better for Jag and LR. I just don’t think Tata has the skills and expertise to keep up with the two brands. As for Tata, I am starting to sense a repeat of Hyundai (helped by Lotus at some point in technology) although it has a long way to go.