Archive for the ‘Performance Vehicles’ Category
Tata’s acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover
Tata the giant Indian motor manufacturer acquired Land Rover and Jaguar in March 2008 for $2.3 billion, taking advantage of the weak Dollar. Tata appear to have got an excellent deal but only time will tell just how good a deal it proves to be. But what was this acquisition all about, an organization that is part of a former colony, getting it’s own back on the British? The answer is that most specialists in the industry feel that it was a very well thought out and sound investment for Tata and that was Tata’s primary motivation. Everyone’s gain is someone else’s loss and Ford’s loss is considerable; they invested in all some $10 billion in the two companies and then to add to the pain a further $600 million was required to make up the shortfall in both Jaguar’s and Land Rover’s employee pension fund. Although when you consider Daimler Benzs loss over its purchase and sale of Chrysler it doesn’t look so bad; Daimler Benz put a reported $36 billion into Chrysler. Nine years on they found themselves in a position where they had to sell the majority of the company (80.1%) for $7.4 billion. There is always a risk with these acquisitions but if you can buy at the right price, which Tata appear to have done, it’s a very good start.
How will this change things for the two companies? The likelihood is very little will change at Land Rover; the Range Rover Sport will continue to be ordered in large quantities by contract hire companies that are still having difficulty in meeting demand. The Discovery and Freelander models are also very popular and selling well. The demand for Land Rover continues in spite of all the attention it attracts from critics, who say the vehicles use far too much fuel. The company is very profitable. Changes will probably be needed in Jaguar.
The fuel efficiency of these vehicles will be the real challenge for Tata in the future; the demand for Land Rover seems assured but how are they going to deal with the constant downward pressure by governments on carbon dioxide emissions? Even the Freelander that is quite economical compared with other Land Rover models has emissions far above the European Union’s proposal, of manufacturers having an average carbon dioxide output of 130g/km across the range. It is however planned that in 2009 the Freelander will be fitted with a system that that switches off the engine when it comes to a stop, for example at traffic lights and then re-starts it when it is ready to go again. Presumably they are also going to have to look at making their vehicles lighter across the range.
A major benefit to Tata as a result of the purchase of Jaguar and Range Rover will be the latest technology that they are acquiring. There own cars are very old fashioned; perhaps more like the cars we were producing in the 1950’s. It presumably won’t be long before they start to harness that technology and apply it to there own production.
Jaguar is likely to be far more challenging for Tata, the company is loosing money and certainly contract hire companies have seen a considerable drop off in demand for Jaguars in the past five years. Ford made considerable progress in terms of Jaguar’s manufacturing technology, although in practice, as with any takeover, there is a limit as to how much a company can interfere with a long established organization, before it knocks it off track. That is certainly what appeared to happen, when Ford took over Jaguar, Ford has been strongly criticized for interfering too much.
The X Type Jaguar is an example of how Ford disrupted the Jaguar tradition and produced a small economical model aimed the mass market but that is not what Jaguar is about. The model was aimed at the BMW 3 Series buyer but completely failed to attract the younger buyer. Instead it attracted those who had retired and wanted a Jaguar but not a large car. The more they bought the X Type, the more they put off the younger buyer. Jaguar tried to change the car’s image through advertising but it didn’t work. Many observers thought they would scrap the X Type but it continued in production. At least in other countries it does not have the same image problem as in the UK.
It is likely that Tata’s intentions are for Jaguar to concentrate on producing high quality prestige cars and distance itself from Ford’s plan to make Jaguar a mass production car; a move that stemmed from Ford’s fear that motorists were going to turn their backs on large luxury cars. In spite of government and environmentalists’ attempts to stigmatize large engine cars, they remain highly popular amongst those that can afford them. Contract hire companies report little change in the public’s buying habits.
Tata’s takeover of Jaguar has coincided with the launch of the elegant XF model; contract hire and leasing companies are seeing a strong demand for the car. The XF should do well in the US, once the Dollar starts to regain its strength. Jaguar has inevitably suffered in America as the weak Dollar has increased the cost of its cars to the American buyer. The takeover of Land Rover and Jaguar should prove beneficial to both companies in the long term. Ratan Tata has made it clear that he does not intend to meddle with the companies, as he wants them to retain their individual character. Some complained that Jaguar and Land Rover would no longer be British, forgetting of course that there is nothing British about Ford, their previous owner. Most people probably think that Tetley Tea is very British but Tata also owns Tetley Tea.
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Tags: acquisition, jaguar, land rover
Save the environment and your pocketbook with the Audi A2
Looking for a premium sub compact car that will use less gas and help the environment too? Look no further than the Audi A2.
Although not a traditional hybrid per say, the A2 gets such good gas mileage in comparison to others in its class that it helps limit emissions into the environment, therefore leading the way to a green style of living that so many are looking to implement in this day and age.
When it comes to looks, the Audi A2 steels the stage with its adorable concept style design that so many people are looking for. Although small in stature, the A2 dies not lack in personality. This little Audi can whip in out of parking spaces while wearing a cheerful smile all the while. Maybe not every mans version of a chick magnet, but if you are looking for an eco green lover, she will be all over you and this vehicle.
The Audi A2 is classified as a super-mini, meaning it is for the most part super small, especially in its class. There are many advantages to driving a super-mini, the first one is obviously the gas mileage, on average the A2 gets around 45 miles to the gallon but on freeway driving it can max out in the low 60’s for gas used per gallon.
The Audi A2 goes doesn’t take the term super-mini lightly, it’s still great on gas and that’s its main selling point, but the A2 isn’t minuscule. The A2 can comfortably seat four with little problem. This car comes standard with a hatchback, so storage space is minimal but the design and emissions limitations make this an eco friendly environmentalist’s dream car.
The Audi A2 strives to give consumers what they would expect from such a name in the automotive industry. With the environmental movement taking center stage in lifestyles across the country, living green is becoming a mainstay for most people. Choosing a vehicle that can limit the waste being dumped into the air as well as keeping more oil in the ground is a one of the pluses that Audi has created in the A2.
Save your pocket book with the price tag of the A2 as well with all of the gas you are going to be saving through the life of the vehicle. The Audi A2 is the perfect eco-friendly car for the green blood running though your veins.
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Tags: audi A2, eco friendly vehicle, good gas mileage, green living, hybrid luxury car
A brief history of Jaguar cars
by Harvey Williams
What Car magazine voted the Jaguar XF car of the year 2008. The award was well deserved. Leasing and contract hire companies are experiencing strong demand for the XF. It somehow seems odd that the manufacturers of a car so expertly designed and advanced technologically, should have started out as a manufacturer of sidecars; the Swallow Sidecar Company. Started in 1922 by William Walmsley and William Lyons both very keen motorcyclists. However the real driving force behind the company was William Lyons.
Lyons and Walmsley certainly went into the market at the right time; motorcycle sidecars were extremely popular at the time and continued to be right through till the 60’s. The reason being that the average worker could not afford a car, once they could motorcycles almost disappeared from Britain’s roads, until their revival many years later. Sidecars proved so popular because they allowed the married man to take his family out on day trips. They could accommodate the children whilst the wife would ride pillion, crash helmets however were not a legal requirement at the time. The Swallow Sidecar Company captured market share by having very appealing designs.
The company’s next venture was building car bodies for other motor manufacturers; they built the body for the Austin 7, which was very popular. This prompted them to change the company’s name and became The Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company. They also moved premises from Blackpool, to the heart of the British motor industry, Coventry. Their high quality work had started to become recognized and they were in demand to build car bodies for other manufacturers.
The company then produced their own car in 1931, the SS1. The vehicle was long and with a low-slung body and wire wheels. The car was very stylish and looked far more expensive than 310, which is what it cost. It was exhibited at the 1931 London Motor Show and attracted a great deal of interest.
The name of the company changed again, to SS Cars Ltd in 1933 and the SS1 Tourer was introduced. Shortly after William Walmsley left the company. During the mid 1930’s the SS90 was launched; it was low to the ground and very sporty in appearance, the car was very reasonably priced, less than 400. It was followed by the SS100, this time with a 2,663 cc engine and twin carburettors. It was very fast although later an improved version was on show at the 1938 Motor Show with a 3,845 cc engine. This model never really got of the ground because the Second World War followed soon after its launch.
During the Second World War the company’s manufacturing was switched to military production, as were the car manufacturers in Germany. Just as the allied forces heavily targeted the German motor manufacturer’s factories during their bombing raids, Coventry became one of the most heavily bombed cities in Britain.
SS Cars had little choice but to change its name after the war, sales would not have been helped by having a name that was so closely associated with the recently defeated Nazi Germany. Jaguar Cars became the company’s new name in 1948. That year also saw the launch of the outstanding XK 120.
The XK 120 was unveiled at the 1948 Motor Show; it was called 120 because of the car’s top speed, which was very fast in 1948. There was nothing that equalled its road holding and speed. It was its lines however that made it so outstanding, even 60 years on there are few people who would not find the car beautiful. It was a soft-top sport car, it had wire wheels and sometimes the bonnet had a leather strap. Girls dreamed of sitting in the passenger seat with the wind blowing through their hair, perhaps not surprisingly men rather liked the idea of being in the driving seat. It’s image later became a little tarnished when it was rather unfairly seen as a cad’s car; depicted being driven by a Terry Thomas type character, complete with cigarette holder.
The 1950’s were a wonderful time for Jaguar; the Mark V11 was launched, a large impressive saloon that proved very successful in motor racing. Mike Hawthorn Britain’s first Formula One world champion and Stirling Moss both raced in it. In 1956 the Mark V11 won the Monte Carlo rally. The XK140 was introduced during 1954; it had rack and pinion steering. It also had other new features including a seat at the rear that could accommodate small children. Although small children were probably far from the mind of the typical purchaser of the XK140, thinking perhaps more about speeding along the coast road of the Cote d’Azur. This was followed by the XK150, with disc brakes, and also Mark1, the Mark 11, the Mark V11 and the Mark 1X.
The Mark 11 came out in 1959 and proved to be an extremely popular car with successful business people but also became associated with the criminal world; successful criminals tended to favour the Mark 11 Jaguar. It also became a target for car thieves; they were often then used as getaway cars for bank and jewellery robberies. Later the police bought a number of them and modified the engines so they could keep up. A Jaguar Mark 11 was sold at a Florida auction in February 2008 for $75,900 USD.
The Mark X came out in 1961; it was originally aimed at the US market and was really a very big car for the UK. It was approaching 17 feet in length and very wide. The fuel consumption was 17 mpg, which was unacceptable to many British motorists. 1961 also saw the launch of the amazing E Type; first seen at the Geneva Motor Show it took the motoring world by storm. The design was far head of it’s time. It was probably the most desired car that has ever been produced, those that could afford the 2000 price tag, bought one. 2000 was a lot of money in 1961, but still less expensive than its rivals it was a very proud moment for Jaguar
In 1968 Jaguar launched the XJ6, between 68 and 73 they manufactured nearly 100,000. The series 11 was launched and in one form or another, the XJ continued in production for many years. It proved to be an ideal car for the owner to either drive him or herself or be chauffer driven, it was neither two large or too small for either option. William Lyons finally retired from the company in 1972.
The XJS sports car came out in 1975 and the model ran until 1996. It was produced in both a fixed head and convertible model. The car received excellent reviews from the motoring press but the design seemed to lack some of the previous Jaguar style. Twelve years later in 1997 came the XK8 a beautifully designed sports car reminiscent of the stylish E Type launched some thirty-six years earlier.
In 1966 Sir William Lyons, who had been knighted for his services to industry, was negotiating with BMC. Both BMC and Leyland had shown a keen interest in buying Jaguar. The fact that there was serious competition to buy Jaguar, very much strengthened William Lyons’ hand in his negotiations with BMC. The sale went through and Lyons got everything he wanted; Jaguar would remain autonomous and Sir William Lyons had a seat on the board of the newly formed BMH.
In 1968 Jaguar’s fortunes started to change they became part of the British Leyland Corporation; British Leyland had become very large and chaotic. Labour relations deteriorated to an all time low and whilst Sir William did everything he could to look after Jaguar and its workforce Morale was slipping and it deteriorated further when Jaguar’s founder retired in 1972. Even the company’s name had been changed from Jaguar Cars ltd to British Leyland Exports ltd; it appeared to be change for the sake of change but it certainly caused the workforce to further loose identity. The inevitable happened and in 1975 the company went bankrupt and was nationalised by the government. One can only imagine what Sir William felt for Jaguar the company he had nursed for fifty years.
Jaguar was then run by Bob Knight, very much a Jaguar man who was determined to reverse Jaguar’s poor reputation. There was no doubt that the employees’ low morale was causing the quality to suffer but Knight felt that outside suppliers were taking advantage of the situation and supplying inferior components. Jaguar were becoming know as a car to steer clear of, unless you had very deep pockets; there were no three year warranties in those days.
In 1980 Bob Knights role was taken over by John Egan. Michael Edwards, who was head of what had become BL, gave more independence to Jaguar and allowed Egan to carry on where Bob Knight had left off, in restoring the company to profitability.
Bob Knight first identified the problem of inferior components being supplied to Jaguar; Egan also quickly realized that Jaguar’s reputation was being damaged in part by their suppliers. When he made it conditional that the suppliers would pay for the cost of warranty work when their parts failed, the problem was soon solved. This was a big step forward in restoring Jaguar’s reputation
The company and had survived and was secure once more, John Egan was chief executive. Jaguar was bought by Ford in 1989 paying $2.5 billion a very large investment indeed and in the following year invested many more billions into the two companies they had bought; Jaguar and Land Rover.
In 1982 the company was re-named Jaguar Cars ltd and in 1984 was privatized by the Thatcher government, Jaguar Plc was formed. John Egan remained with the company as chief executive. Jaguar’s future was once again secure. In 1989 Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion, it has been estimated by some observers, that since then it put between $1billion and $1.5 billion a year into the company, more conservative estimates are that Ford invested over the years, a further $10 billion into Jaguar and Land Rover, which it had also bought.
Ford sold Aston Martin in 2007; they had problems and wanted to get back to basics. This was followed by the sale of land Rover and Jaguar in 2008. The sale price was $2.3 billion, less than Ford had paid for Jaguar some nine years earlier. However both companies had a shortfall in their pension schemes, this had to be made up by Ford at the cost of $600 million. Tata the Indian conglomerate was the purchaser.
Some were worried when they learned of Jaguar’s sale to Tata, feeling that Jaguar should remain British, forgetting that Jaguar hasn’t been British since 1989.
There has been some comment that Jaguar, that represents everything that is British, has now fallen into foreign hands but Jaguar has been in foreign hands since 1989 and what is most important is that the company survives. It is very clear from the history of Jaguar, that it needs autonomy in order to succeed. Tata have made it clear that it does not intend to “meddle” with Jaguar and that it wants the Jaguar tradition to survive and prosper.
A poll was carried out in Germany in 2006, which quite surprisingly revealed that the majority of those polled considered Jaguar a better car than Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Jaguar has always been very strongly favoured by the American market too. The Jaguar XF is proving extremely popular and contract hire and leasing companies are receiving healthy orders for the car. And all this started from motorcycle sidecars some 86 years ago.
About the Author: For more information about contract hire, lease purchase, finance lease or vehicle hire purchase in the UK please contact Bowater Price plc 01494 536 536.
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Tags: history of the jaguar, jaguar xf, mark v11, motorcycle sidecares, xj6, xjs, xk120
Dress Business Casual with the Audi S6
When it’s time to switch from casual to business for some it can be as easy as changing an outfit, but for an Audi S6 owner, it could just mean getting behind the wheel of their Audi S6. With the Audi S6, you can make a quick transformation from work to sporty just by getting behind the wheel.
The S6 is designed to be all about business and is geared to the business person who loves to live life to the fullest. The S6 gives the driver everything they need to lap it up in luxury with exclusive design details known only to Audi.
From the leather seats to dual zone climate control you will feel nothing but comfort when you get behind the wheel of the S6.
Listen to tunes with satellite radio and enjoy your favorite music while you take in all of the sights around you. Let the safety enhancing option of the lane assist help you maneuver in out of traffic with ease and assurance.
Step up to the plate and offer to take your business associates out on the town to the next business trip and have then marvel at the beauty of your Audi. They will indulge in clean crisp music and relax with the extra added room in the interior of the S6. You can practically hold a business meeting right there in your S6. With Bluetooth capability and plenty of space to work from, you can seal the next business deal no matter where the road takes you.
Jump from business to casual in a matter of minutes, the Audi S6 will take you to your favorite hot spot or sports venue in no time flat. Cruise on up to the mountains and spend the weekend with your friends and your S6, there is plenty of room for all of the extra cargo and luggage and your satellite radio will keep the trip lively the whole way there and back.
The Audi S6 is perfect for any occasion and will take you from any business setting to a casual one in no time flat.
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Tags: business to casual, impressive vehicle, make a good impression
Concept meets child’s play with the Audi R8
With the Audi R8 you will feel like a kid in a candy shop. Sporty doesn’t even begin to explain this sleek little hot rod.
Classified as a mid engine super car, the performance level of this sweet ride is comparable to that of a Lamborghini, except at a fraction of the cost. When it comes to extreme and exotic automobiles, the Audi R8 ranks right up there with some of the world’s top contenders.
This tiny little rocket isn’t for the faint of heart, once you get past its gorgeous exterior and sit behind the wheel you will be blown away at how so much can come in such a small package. With a whopping 420 horsepower under the hood, you will need to hang on and strap in for the ride of your life. Backed up with a 4.2 liter V-8 engine, the R8 is one fast machine. The unique feature with this little sports car is that it offers an Rtronic automatic sequential manual transmission which allows you to choose from either manual or automatic gear selection.
Indulge your skin and body with the luxury of fine leather with the sport seats in the Audi R8. You will feel like losing yourself in the fine interior of this car.
The Audi R8 loves to spoil its driver with such adorning features like the rearview camera, or the hill hold assist which prevents the car from rolling when either idle or not in gear. The six CD changer is a real plus while you listen to your tunes crisp and clear out of the Bang and Olufsen Audio.
If you have ever had your sights an exotic vehicle, keep one thing in mind the Audi R8 can deliver if not compete aggressively with other small super cars that are also on the market. With the R8 you can have the car you have always wanted and still live within your budget. Whether you are 16 or 68, the Audi R8 is surely car at the top of every car enthusiasts list as a must have!
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Tags: audi r8, exotic automobiles, performance, rtronic automatic sequential, sporty car
