During a recent interview, Tata executives admitted that there is still more work to be done overhauling the Jaguar brand. Also revealed in the interview – Jaguar is considering the addition of an entry-level small car.
During a recent interview between Tata vice chairman Ravi Kant and European outfit, Autocar, Kant revealed that the automaker is far from done with its recent overhauling efforts.
“Our key advantages should be speed to market and agility, that should be the DNA of any small company,” said Kant.
Kant sees Jaguar Land Rover as a small and potentially nimble company, but believes they have under-delivered in that regard, particularly with Jaguar. In order to address those concerns, Kant revealed that he and Tata Motors CEO Carl-Peter Forster are in the midst of completing a complete strategic review of the Jaguar Land Rover lineup – with special attention to where the brands could expand.
Jaguar’s last foray into the “entry-level” market proved a disaster with the X-Type Jaguar. Even still, Kant says, “We’re having a debate about a small car. It has to happen if you want to keep the brand alive. We need an entry-level car.”
Kant’s admission all but officially confirms a small Jag is in the cards for the near future, but where the platform will be sourced from is still up in the air. The last entry-level Jaguar was based on the European Ford Mondeo platform, albeit fairly loosely. Now that Ford sold Jaguar, the British carmarker will need to look elsewhere for borrowed platforms.
Kant closed up his comments with the suggestion that fresh thinking will be working its way to the Jaguar Land Rover brands, suggesting that they focus too heavily on the British market. “Britain only accounts for 25 percent of Jaguar Land Rover’s market, what they want is not necessarily what everyone else wants,” said Kant.
References
1. ‘Jaguar plans radical overhaul…’ view
2. ‘Tata Motors named Carl…’ view
