Made In China Jags And Land Rovers
Rumors of Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) establishing production in China have been around for a while. With good reason, Jaguars and especially Land Rovers enjoy (fairly) brisk sales in China. Now, these rumors move into the realm of the definitive.
JLR is in talks with China’s largest independent automaker, Chery, for a Chinese joint venture reports Beijing Morning Post today (via Gasgoo.) Apparently, there is more to it than the usual Chinese rumors.
Scott Dicken, general manager of Land Rover China, confirmed they are in talks. Chery chairman Yin Tongyue likewise corroborated that both sides are negotiating.
On Saturday, Tata Motors’ CEO Carl-Peter Forster had said that JLR wants to find a partner in China “as soon as possible.” He did not mention candidates.
In 2009, JLR China reported sales of 11,547 units. This figure had already been eclipsed in mid-July 2010. Chery, maker of the QQ, also could use some of JLR’s halo.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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if they can sell them like hot cakes then is good for them. sometimes wonder if they need to be bothered with N American market at all? Mr Tata cant be all that dumb to take over such a basket case of companies.
The Land Rover brand is very popular in China and Russia. And sales of JLR products globally are accelerating at an impressive pace. Ford did a great job in getting the JLR brands back on track. But maybe they bailed far too soon.
No, they sell like Pork Buns... :-)