Indian Company Tata frontrunner for Land Rover & Jaguar

[DeeJay]

In todays paper for those who missed it.

Ford's big car sale: Jaguar, Land Rover buyers shortlisted

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Mark Milner, London
October 31, 2007


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FORD is expected to draw up a shortlist of preferred bidders for Jaguar and Land Rover next month with six companies still in the race to buy two of Britain's most prestigious car marques.
The car maker said it hoped to reach a conclusion by the end of the year or by early next year. But it is becoming clear that deciding the future of Jaguar and Land Rover has proved more complex than expected.
The two companies, which are being sold together, are attracting attention from trade and private equity buyers.
India's Tata group, which bought the steel maker Corus this year, is one of the frontrunners, alongside the private equity groups One Equity, whose interest is led by the former global chief executive of Ford and chief executive of Ford Australia, Jac Nasser; Ripplewood and TPG.
Terra Firma and Cerberus, which bought Chrysler this year, are seen as being in the running, though industry sources have questioned whether Cerberus would be willing to take on two big automotive acquisitions so close together.
The Indian car company Mahindra & Mahindra, thought earlier to have been among the contenders for Jaguar and Land Rover, is said to have pulled out.
Ford is unlikely to make a decision simply on price. It is determined to maintain contracts to supply engines to Jaguar and Land Rover after the sale and may retain a stake in the brands, similar to its 10 per cent holding in Aston Martin after its sale this year.
Issues such as pension funds and European Union plans to apply statutory limits on vehicle carbon dioxide emissions also have to be tackled.
Even valuing the two brands is becoming complex.
Analysts had estimated they would be worth between $US1.3 billion and $US1.5 billion ($A1.41 billion and $A1.62 billion).
The timing of the announcement has yet to be confirmed as the company enters crucial talks with the United Auto Workers union, where it will be seeking significant cuts in operating costs.
GUARDIAN

[cjc_td5]

Bring it on I say!
Maybe a new owner could give LR some decent exposure in regional OZ so we don't have to travel to a capital city to get any warrant work done. My my view it was a stupid decision by LR to close so many regional dealerships a couple of years ago.

[HangOver]

worth between $US1.3 billion and $US1.5 billion ($A1.41 billion and $A1.62 billion).

Is that all?
I'll take them both !


I think it would be a shame to see them go to an Indian company. No disrespect to the inhabitants of that country but they seem to be very good, (like China) at cutting costs, (read corners).
I just hope who ever buys it doesn't cut things back too much and start selling poorly made vehicles.

It would be sad to see two historical companies such and Jag and Land Rover to go to the dogs.

[FenianEel]

I just hope who ever buys it doesn't cut things back too much and start selling poorly made vehicles.

What, like the previous owners?

[JDNSW]

It would be difficult for them to make a bigger mess of them than did Leyland, and that was without any foreign help at all!

John

[mittadisco]

So what will happen - all LR beome Tatas - ie built on Tata design - heaven help us! or will all Tatas become LR, and all be built in India? Again - heaven help us..... I can see little good coming from a Tata ownership.

[HangOver]

I just hope they say Ta-Ta to Tata

[460cixy]

i say in less than 5 years there will be no more land rover

[mcrover]

Ive never known anyone that has owned a Tata to not like it and think it was well made......








































































Ive only known 1 person who was stupid enough to buy one and he was an idiot before hand

[Zute]

If Tata buys LR, does that mean I can fit Land Rover badges to my Maruti ?