Thread: It’s a done deal, Ford has sold LR

Originally Posted by ellard

On a positive note we are now seeing quite a few of the 8x8 TATA trucks being used in the mining industry and they are performing well indeed.

I think you are confusing the indian tata with the czech Tatra who make some big off road trucks.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Because everyone else is driving down costs, improving quality, have big outputs, off shore manufacturing and are world leaders in their own right.

LR's a subsidiary only, does not make cars in Asia where they'd be cheaper and have no low end offering (ie like the japs do).

What, the cheapest LR would be 20K up on the cheapest jap 4WD? I'm not saying they're comparable in ability or even quality, but if you've only got 35k and want a 4WD you're not gonna buy an LR, are you?

Tata may have an answer to that, even if it is unpalatable to us.

That's exactly right, that's why GM in the US is losing 100's of millions each year and Ford is losing money too. The unions in the US back down on alot of issues with GM and Ford recently as they knew some of their policies where helping to send the companies broke and if changes weren't made everyone would be out of a job. As said above they can't compete on a global scale with the japs when it comes to build quality and labour issues.

I was devastated when I heard that Triumph was now building Bonneville in Thailand. Now this! I don't know which is worse, a brit owned bike being built in Asia or a brit made car owned in Asia. Either way neither will be as exclusive as before and we are sure to loose our motoring heritage.

Hey hey hey...

What a lot of crap I'm hearing in this thread...

Just because they OWN the company doesnt necessarily mean a lot will change.

They are making money at LR after all...

And Indian manufacturing produce some excellent quality products in certain things.... I know, I went to India to see the manufacturing facilities for one of my suppliers years ago. Quality exceeded the levels our UK factory could produce, and they were world class.

Once again, all we hear is panic, nay-sayers harping on... etc...

Get over it guys, its a global economy....

Eat vegemite? Taste the same? Its not Australian..

Cornflakes taste the same.... Not Australian...

Just because the finance company is OS doesnt make the product different.

Until such time, wait.....

Why do you think Ford have doen a bad job? just interested. They ploughed a fortune in, the brand is profitable, they have probably the best 4wd lineup available, with up to date vehicles (and the Defender!) all thanks really to Fords money, and the development / designers there.

Pete

Originally Posted by Disco Stew

I was devastated when I heard that Triumph was now building Bonneville in Thailand. Now this! I don't know which is worse, a brit owned bike being built in Asia or a brit made car owned in Asia. Either way neither will be as exclusive as before and we are sure to loose our motoring heritage.

And the point? Heritage matters what? I dont live in 1940...

I want good current and future vehicles.... I like the oldies dont get me wrong...

But I dont give 2 hoots about where the parts come from, just that the vehicle is sound and enjoyable.

Every "Jap" ute is made in Thailand ..... LR dont because their law states it must have leaf rear..... Otherwise Defenders would have been made there 10 years ago!

Motor bikes...

HD make parts in Japan, Australia, ROC etc...

In fact theres a town in Japan call "USA" pronounce YOU-SAR... Built and named such so that they can print "Made in USA" on the parts...

The rims are all ex-South Australia...

Alternators from Italy...



Half of the LR is german now anyhow... Bosch

Get my point?

Originally Posted by tombraider

Hey hey hey...

What a lot of crap I'm hearing in this thread...

Just because they OWN the company doesnt necessarily mean a lot will change.

They are making money at LR after all...

And Indian manufacturing produce some excellent quality products in certain things.... I know, I went to India to see the manufacturing facilities for one of my suppliers years ago. Quality exceeded the levels our UK factory could produce, and they were world class.

Once again, all we hear is panic, nay-sayers harping on... etc...

Get over it guys, its a global economy....

Eat vegemite? Taste the same? Its not Australian..

Cornflakes taste the same.... Not Australian...

Just because the finance company is OS doesnt make the product different.

Until such time, wait.....

Very true, I believe the British Motorvehicle UNION approved the sale based on "their rights".

Seeing Ford had stirred the workers up they will probably be happy with Ta Ta.

Build quality on a Disco 2 is good.....Disco 3 is a little better. Sure, they aren't up to Audi quality but when I shut the door, I know its shut. Last time I shut the door in a Hyundai....well, let's just say it had the build quality of a 3 year olds' tricycle.

I think the question is - will they move the build plant to India. I can not see them getting any better in any way, shape or form if they do.

Might just make our British built cars worth a little more in the future