scottie1113

Ford and Jaguar have announced that they are pulling out of F1 at the conclusion of the season. OK, I can live with that. It wasn't a marriage made in heaven, and their podium results to date certainly don't justify a sustained effort.

The headlines I have read proclaimed that Ford is selling Jaguar. I interpret that to mean the F1 team and so far that's all I've seen. The articles havn't been very specific as to the extent of the deal beyond F1.

But to all but close the factory in Coventry and eliminate about 1100 jobs stuns me. What does mean for the future?

My first car was a 1959 XK-150 drophead coupe, and even though it was evil, mean, nasty, expensive, and cursed with Lucas (the Prince of Darkness) electrics, it was still a Jag, and it kindled a love for the marque that still exists today.

If anyone has more information on what is happening, please share it.

f1-cobra

I don't think they are selling off the Jaguar brand, just the F1 team and Cosworth engine supply. From what I have heard it will be hard for them to find a buyer for the team because of the escalating costs of competing in the sport. Nobody wanted to buy Arrows or Prost, and they were doing about the same in the title race as Jaguar is. I think Ford feels that with all the money they have put into the F1 program, they are going down in market shares on the Jaguar cars and feel that they could use the money elsewhere. Not sure exactly, but that is the impression I got from reading articles about all of this.

scottie1113

That was my impression as well, though the closing of the Coventry plant due to slow US sales made me wonder.

jgsmuzzy

There is talk over here that all Jag production will move to Detroit. Ford wants to eliminate the uncertainty regarding exchange rates. I.e. the exchange rate has moved 25% in the last two years, virtually eliminating any profit from sales in the US (the biggest market).

As for the F1 sham, Sauber are dropping the old Ferarri engine and will be using a custom made engine from Cosworth. Cosworth has always worked "indepentently" from ford and long may it continue.

If I hear any more, I will post it asap

scottie1113

Thanks. I hope all goes well for Jaguar and I'm sorry about the lost jobs in Coventry.

f1-cobra

I just found this pic of the team in China before practice began.

scottie1113

That's great, but sad.

Dr Iven

Is that pic real? It sure does look real, but notice how parallel the top of the sign is with the row of seats in the background. That's pretty good sign holdage!