Tata & JLR to build their own engines. But you already knew that.

Tata has revealed in their annual statement that they are viewing a joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover to build engines. But you knew that already.

The wires today seem to be full of the ‘news’ that Tata and Jaguar Land Rover are considering building their own engines. Really?

The report of this ‘Breaking News’ cites a company report by Tata which indicates a joint engine development programme is being considered.

The report says that “…to optimize the synergistic strengths between JLR and Tata Motors in India, an examination is also under way on a joint engine development program which would have manufacturing facilities both in the U.K. and India.” Wow.

But if you’ve been a regular reader here for the last year or two you’ll already know all this.

Back in May 2010 we told you that “…now JLR are about to take the next big step – creating their own engines and expanding production overseas. It is now clear that JLR and Tata are moving towards producing their own four-pot engines – diesel and petrol.”

In April this year we reported that Jaguar were looking at building an engine plant in the UK – either in Wales or the Midlands – and in India too. At the time we said that “…Tata will fund the development of proper, bespoke Jaguar engines” to replace the expensive – if very good – Ford engines that still power all JLR’s products.

Fast forward to May of this year when we reported that Land Rover had started bolting together CKD Freelanders in Pune, and we said it seemed clear that the next step in the process of making Jaguars and Land Rovers in India would be to build new JLR engines, a prequel to eventual full production in India.

So the news that Tata and JLR are to build their own engines – or at least 4-pot lumps initially – isn’t exactly new news.

But it is good news