Finally it's over.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/b...llion-to-tata/

 

What's the real cost when you consider that Ford has to dump over 1.12 billion into persion funds for both marks? couple this with their initial investment when they bought each mark? what was that @ 2 bill each if I recall
Maybe they will get some money back by being a parts/engine supplier for a while...

At least they are stopping the hemmoraging. SP?


Wait a minute ,didn't Range Rover turn a 1bill profit last year???

 

I thought it was a done deal months ago

 

I hope the new owners don't go and fudge Jaguar up (shuddering with visions of Jaguar "Nanos" ). If they do, the XF may very well be the last great Jaguar sedan - it even caught the eye of my co-worker as it passed by us on the street... and he dislikes 4 door sedans.

 

2 reasons it will be ok:

1 - Buying JLR is a key facet of Tata's bid for credibility on the world stage. This is no small thing, as even with India's massive population, Tata's hopes for a future lie globally. The partnerships and product alliances they seek will be heavily influenced by their management of a storied Marque.

2 - Lotus. I hear all kinds of wailing and gnashing of teeth that only the US, I mean only the US and Europe, I mean only the US, Europe, and Japan, I mean only the US, Europe, Japan, and Korea, can produce people that can competently manage an Automotive brand. But Lotus has been owned my Malaysians since '96 and its products have gotten BETTER.

 

"It's over" is right.

 

I read that it was $600 million.

 

If Ford dumped these two it was because it was fiscally beneficial to do so. Arguably nobody but Ford and Tata know how much money Jaguar was bleeding, but I'd be willing to be it would leave any of us in awe at the magnitude and while the XK anf XK are surprisingly good, they aren't going to come close to stemming the tide of red ink anytime soon. This and several other factors mean that, IMO, Ford made the right decision here.

 

That was Approx. 600M per mark if I interpreted correctly.

The latest on Jag was it was in red like 100M. Not bad considering how they were when purchased. What I actually was getting at was given how much Ford paid for them Initally @ 2B each plus Pension costs.That amounts to a 5.6 Bill total cash write off that could have been directed at R&D or something! That is one Lesson that Ford should never forget. You CAN'T buy market share. It is something that has to be done from within. Stay in focus with your core group and build what they want and do it WELL!
Yes premium cars have more profit margin but who cares if no one is buying them enmasse. just a observation.
Anybody want a TATA XKE? JK.

 

I agree

 

And you didn't. A quote from this CNN article about the purchase:

If they were contributing $600 million per mark then it would be stated as $1.2 billion.

 

"AN does mention that Ford will pump around $598 million into the pension funds for each brand as it sends them on their way."

this is from the article I read. Sorry I interpreted wrong. I stand corrected

 

Wow! Isn't it ironic that the British Empire and their beloved Jaguar is now owned by a company from their former colony. You've come a long way India. Now if they can manufacture them in England then the English workers will be working for the Indians. Way to go Ghandi!

 

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA........funniest thing ive read all night. I'm still laughging about it.