January28
Ford might be getting very close to selling Jaguar to India's Tata Group, but top executives at the British automaker remain "entirely relaxed," design director Ian Callum says.
Tata, which is already a major supplier to Jaguar, seems to understand the company well, Callum said. "We have shown Tata our new model lines and the planned product cycle," he told the Financial Times. "The two national cultures appear to fit together very well and Tata is being very respectful about what we are doing."
"Respectful" might not always be the right word to describe Ford's treatment of Jaguar over the years, however. Callum said the unpopular X-Type, for example, was designed mostly in Detroit and presented to Jaguar's reluctant designers and engineers in Britain.
It's worth pointing out the Tata deal has not yet been finalized, and U.S.-based One Equity remains in the bidding. However, if the acquisition by Tata moves ahead, it could be completed by the end of February.
With Jaguar's design momentum and handling savvy the next X-Type could be a kicky alternative to A4, 3-series and the IS from Lexus. I am getting excited about the sale to Tata.
Tata might not be such a bad buyer after all if there already supplying them with parts. hopefully they wont hurt the company's comeback.
So it looks like Tata and Jag had business relationship already. Oh the X-type… which is a bad Ford Mondeo at best was a shame. The Euro Mondeo was good, but somehow Detroit just messed it up in the translation, like they did with the Contour. Argh!
Jag was a complete mess before Ford. Blaming the x-type for all their problems is lame. They have had a quality problem since the 60s. It was extremely popular for owners to swap in 350CI GM motor w/turbo trans because they were prettty cars with good chassis and interior class. But crappy mechanicals and electrical systems.
I'm with meanpants555, I'm excited about the sale. Prior LLN articles discussed how invested Tata is with its purchase of Jag. And the new design language is exactly what Jag needs to be competitive.
Historically, Jag sales relied on Jag lovers buying Jags, but the dated designs, poor quality, and the more-annoying-than-cute Jag affectations I think ceded sales to the Germans.
I hear that there are still some electronic snafus with the XK types in buyers hands, but the new XF should continue the Jag renaissance. Who knows, maybe the XF's rotary gear selector might just be the next Jag "J-gate" that gives each Jag added distinctive character.
Regardless, hopefully Tata will give Jag the attention it needs to make it competitive with the Germans again….
I can be relaxed when I'm drunk and don't care anymore about my job.
Ford should have the XR8 here.
In the U.S., that is.
GetReal - it was really great comment!
I'm sorry…Jaguar has always been a beautiful car that you had to own two of to keep one running. It was not the car you went on a long trip with . I have owned several Jags and before Ford owned it and they were f**king mechanical nightmares. 3000 dollars for shock absorbers (1988 model) in 1990!! I have owned some after Ford bought them, and they were uninspiring to drive, but didn't break down at all. Tata, maybe this(Jaguar) is their Lexus brand, like Acura is to Honda.
Now you're all changing tune
X-Type was quite popular here, despite being an overweight Mondeo…