Jaguar Land Rover is NOT for sale
Despite rumours that Tata are looking to sell Jaguar Land Rover, what they’re actually looking for is a partner to make them viable for the future.
A combination of huge sales drops in China, reliability and quality issues, the demonisation of diesel, big model overlaps, Brexit uncertainty and, perhaps, too much hubris, has seen JLR go from being a real revenue generator for Tata to a bit of a liability.
That has led to claims that Tata want to flog JLR to escape the grief, but according to Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata and Sons, that is definitely not the case. Although he does concede help is needed at JLR.
Chandrasekaran said that Tata won’t sell a share in JLR, but what they are seeking is a partner to make it easier to move forward with big investments in new models and electrification, especially as Tata itself has big problems with steel and their own automotive division.
Recently, analysts have declared that BMW is in a prime position to bail out JLR, and with an already growing partnership between JLR and BMW, from engines to EV development, that makes perfect sense.
Although whether BMW will be satisfied with just a partnership with JLR is open to debate, but the wider sharing of technology and development between the two would be advantageous for both, and potentially life-saving for JLR.
mark geller says
Hard to believe Volvo had all the backing they needed and did it. Wonder whether it was Tata or JLR that dropped the ball. The cars are gorgeous, the electronics/infotainment always behind the Germans and now, Swedes. China falling apart didn’t help and Brexit and diesel, a disaster, but if the vehicles were really right, as well as beautiful which they are, it shouldn’t have mattered that much as shown by Volvo.