Good point but bad example – almost all Acura owners that I know are aware of the shared Honda platform technology.

However, the Jaguar X-type owners I know (i.e. both of them, one used-house-saleswoman and one product-marketing guy) have very little interest in cars beyond the shiny bits they see in the cabin and on the hood ornament.

Back on topic, if done right, this could turn out to be like the extremely successful platform-sharing of the Type Four sedans (Fiat Croma/Lancia Thema /Saab 9000 /Alfa 164) from the mid-1980s. The same basic platform produced four very distinctive cars for very different market segments, without compromising the individual character of each of the marques.

The Indians are smart businessmen – and as I have noted here before, every one that I have worked with has been a certifiable car-nut. They actually seem to have a plan, unlike Jaguar’s owners for the last quarter century…

Fiat Group has almost no business in the US except for the trickle of Ferraris and Maseratis. The platform sharing opportunities are huge.

The irony of Fiat recovering by spending the $2B payoff from GM wisely is absolutely unnerving. It is proof positive that the number one task of executive management is to make the important decisions well. GM has not demonstrated that skill in a long, long time.

The focus of a few enthusiasts on what platform is shared with what other car does not translate into the real market much. Real buyers care about the finished item and it’s perceived quality. Few Acura TL owners know or care that the platform is shared with the Accord. The X-type’s problem was that it never looked or felt like a proper Jaguar, period. Had Ford started with the Mondeo floor-pan and ended up with a proper Jaguar it would have been a success, but they didn’t work the details hard enough to make it happen.

The two companies planned on working together and FIAT actually helped Tata put a bid together for Jaguar and Land Rover.

To give you an idea of how close these 2 companies are, here’s an example:

The CEO of FIAT (Sergio Marchionne) invited Ratan Tata to join the board of directors at FIAT.

So maybe, Tata might install some of Alfa’s designers at Jaguar to make their sports cars (XK and XKR) to look more dyanamic?

I can’t wait! :O)

Much better than American Jaguar.

Unfortunately, it looks like we’re getting British Alfa out of this.

Oh well, at least it’s not Indian Maserati.