Jaguar and Land Rover Angle For Production In China 141
First time accepted submitter ourlovecanlastforeve writes "Those of you still hanging on to Jaguar and Land Rover as the last vestiges of the truly British automobile in the States may find yourselves grasping at straws as Chery announces a nearly two billion dollar joint effort with the auto brand to move production to Changsu in China." Anyone still hanging on to that idea might also be interested to learn that Jaguar and Land Rover are subsidiaries of India's Tata, maker of the low-priced Nano.
epitome of globalization (Score:5, Funny)
Owned by Indians, built by Chinese, bought by Americans and marketed as British.
This must be the epitome of globalization.
Re: epitome of globalization (Score:5, Funny)
They probably had to move manufacturing to China to maintain their lasting record for poor reliability.
Re:Yay it's a lose-lose! (Score:5, Funny)
Have you ever driven an American car?
You get the high maintenance *and* the shit fuel economy - but not only that, you get poor braking and handling, lacklustre performance *and* poor ergonomics and aesthetics!
Now how's that for a package?
Re:Who buys automobiles based on nationality? (Score:5, Funny)
LOL probably literally. American cars are shit.
Re:Yay it's a lose-lose! (Score:5, Funny)
Think about it. Just like American women. Just like American women.
As for me, I'll import thank you (without tariff please!).
Re: epitome of globalization (Score:4, Funny)
Jaguar died as a brand in 1987, when Ford took them over. From there, they've largely rested on prior laurels. That said, most pre-1987 Jaguars were a cult. You could tell when one was really dead because it stopped leaking.
You can still get 50grand on eBay (++) for a 50's xk120/140. But the days of glory are largely gone, as they not only don't hold their value, but never achieved Ford's reliability goals, let alone Tata's.
The Mini Cooper is an example of a brand redone, but bettered, by BMW. Nominally made in Oxford (some elsewhere), it's an international effort that makes a stellar little ride, if deeply in a niche. Of course it helps to have a couple of popular movies featuring your car's ability to descend stairs and make wicked turns.