So Land Rover and Jaguar have been bought by Tata at long last as a result of a £1.15/billion deal.

Despite American ownership in recent years, the two marques have been considered as the last bastions of British automotive manufacturing. Now many feel that the Land Rover factory at Lode Lane in Solihull and the Jaguar plants at Castle Bromwich and Halewood could be at risk of industrial ‘outsourcing’.

Tata, as India’s second largest industrial group has massive, low-cost industrial facilities in the East. They could realise huge increases in profits* by simply moving the manufacturing base to a cheaper country. Naturally, Tata deny they intend to do anything of the sort, much like SAIC and Nanjing automotive claimed that jobs would remain at Longbridge just before they ripped out all of Rover’s tooling and shipped it to China. All that now remains at Longbridge are some bulldozed sites, an under-let ‘technology’ park and a tiny CKD assembly operation that barely seems worthwhile.

Only time will tell whether the Defender and it’s kin are lost from our shores and whether the lines at Castle Bromwich will fall forever silent. On past experience, I don’t think we’ll have to wait long.

*This depends on the global market for SUVs and heavy luxury cars not collapsing under the credit crunch and fuel price inflation.

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2 Responses to “Saying Tata to Land Rover and Jaguar”
  1. http://www.coolsupercars.com/jaguar-looking-to-hire-a-few-good-people/
    Nice 2 know that u where mighty mistaken! ;-)

    Before I go here is a question 4 u:

    Which company in the world was the first to introduce:

    1. 8 hour shift for employees
    2. Free education for the children of employees
    3. Free health insurance for employees and there family?
    4. A rule stating that 50% of all profit should go to charity?

    I will give you a hint, they also own Jaguar :-)

  2. http://www.coolsupercars.com/jaguar-looking-to-hire-a-few-good-people/
    Nice 2 know that u where mighty mistaken! ;-)

    I presume these are the 600 odd technical staff being taken up in a hurry to try to address the little ‘drinking problem’ the models are renowned for.

    Before I go here is a question 4 u:

    Which company in the world was the first to introduce:

    1. 8 hour shift for employees

    The Ford Motor Company of America in October 1926.

    Free education for the children of employees

    The Cadbury company of Bournville, England circa 1900

    Free health insurance for employees and there family?

    The Cadbury company of Bournville, England circa 1900

    A rule stating that 50% of all profit should go to charity?

    I believe this applies to the Tata Sons shareholding company rather than the whole of Tata Group but I agree that it is an admirable aspiration.

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