Ford selling off Land Rover, already!

[rocky2509]

Found a bit of news that sounds like another change of ownership may be on the cards for Land Rover.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2300297.html

Dan

[Omaroo]

Ford is understood to have held exploratory talks about Jaguar with Renault, the French car group run by Carlos Ghosn, Hyundai, the aggressive Korean company, and an unnamed Russian car firm.
I think I'll take the French over any Korean or Russian involvement thanks...... (heart speaking, not head)

"Announcing the Hyundai Lange Lover, Discoverly and Defendel..."

[Ace]

Just when they had started to get somewhere. Would be dissapointing if they did land rover needs the stability of one owner who will stick with it not pass it around like a hot potato.

Maybe we should all chip in an buy it. :D

[Ace]

Its not that bad they are only selling a section off to an investor they will retain technical input.

FORD may sell Land Rover, the iconic maker of four-wheel-drive vehicles, along with Jaguar as part of a shake-up of its portfolio of upmarket British brands.

It is understood that Ford’s senior management, led by chairman and chief executive Bill Ford Jr, is considering packaging the two marques together and selling a majority stake to a financial investor. NI_MPU('middle');Ford would retain a minority holding, and continue its technical and supply links with the two British carmakers. The Land Rover sale is one option being studied after the appointment last week of Kenneth Leet, a former Goldman Sachs and Bank of America banker, as special adviser to Bill Ford.

[FenianEel]

Just when they had started to get somewhere. Would be dissapointing if they did land rover needs the stability of one owner who will stick with it not pass it around like a hot potato.

Maybe we should all chip in an buy it. :D

Could be a good thing. They have sold more cars than ever before, and have been actually turning a profit for a few years now - v. rare in the current car game, (esp for LR!)

I dont think they're anywhere near close to a sale, but think of the potential positives....

Imagine affordable Land Rovers
Imagine if they actually "advertised and marketed" them
Imagine a LOT MORE dealerships around the place
Imagine reasonable service charges

Imagine Palestine/Israel/Lebanon being at peace - there's about as much chance of this as the others:twisted: :p

[Phoenix]

Well from what i've seen today, Gaz is showing some real interest in jaguar, I just kinda hope that LR stays put for a few more years at least.

[sumo]

AS stated LR need stability now more than ever!! The d3 needs to be made totally bullet proof, and with continuing good sales, this model will be the best corner stone LR have had for years.


Sumo

[goofyr]

Man that's disappointing, I hope it doesn't go Korean or Russian, I don't know if I'd be able to make myself buy one of those. I wonder what would happen if Renault bought LR...considering they own Nissan.

[George130]

Man that's disappointing, I hope it doesn't go Korean or Russian, I don't know if I'd be able to make myself buy one of those. I wonder what would happen if Renault bought LR...considering they own Nissan.
Thats simple there would be a new Pootrol on offer the Nissan Pootrol Defender.

[Michael2]

There was talk some years ago, before the German aquisition of our marque, that Land Rover might have Defenders built in China, as a national car for China and as a 3rd world car. As it was envisaged that the Defender wouldn't continue to comply with future safety legislation in the West.

The French have a love of the Land Rover, and the Range Rover has even made it to the Louvre as a work of modern art (Classic Rangie of course). This makes us feel good toward a French takeover, but looking at the French motor industry, we might be better off going Korean. At least with the Asian product, there'll be a close co-operation with US or European technology and much lower prices.

Remember when the British parliment was blockaded by Land Rovers to oppose the sale of Land Rover to Ford? That was a long time ago. Ford have had to wait a long time (and collaborate with the Germans) to aquire this treasure - they should hold on to it now and appreciate it for )long) awhile. In the meantime putting more powerful motors in them.

Or - bear with me on this idea, because it's a bit revolutionary : Land Rover becomes the Australian motor industry. No more woes with Bitsamissing in SA, No more Toymotor funnelling all its funds overseas in Vic, and no more Holden / Ford mediocrity.:eek:

[VladTepes]

Or - bear with me on this idea, because it's a bit revolutionary : Land Rover becomes the Australian motor industry. No more woes with Bitsamissing in SA, No more Toymotor funnelling all its funds overseas in Vic, and no more Holden / Ford mediocrity.:eek:

Ha Ha Ha - that'd F them ! (The local yota and pootrol boys I mean).

Would make Bathurst interesting..... V8 supercharged RR Sports perhaps ?!

[Phoenix]

A Grid full of RRS, and other fast 4wd's could be rather an interesting event.