Autoblog

Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Luxury

2010 Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another week, another special edition for the UK. New for 2010, the Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport attempts to be equipped as regally as its name suggests, with either a Santorini Black or Lago Grey paint job decked out with color-keyed exterior trim, a rear spoiler, and 19-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels.

Inside is where the thrills reside, with a two-tone interior in, ahem, "Ebony & Storm," and your choice of cloth interior or a "sports styling pack" in Lago Grey leather. Somewhat ironically, the Sport comes with a 2.2-liter diesel four that churns the wheels through a manual transmission, and it gets even better gas mileage with the fitment of stop/start technology.

The model goes on sale next month and starts at £26,695 ($43,581 USD, but bear in mind that UK market prices are higher than those of the U.S.) on-the-road. No word yet on whether North American consumers will get a shot at this model under the LR2 nameplate, so for now, content yourself with our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Freelander 2 Sport

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists

Land Rover releases Freelander 2 Sport for UK loyalists originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Land Rover, Luxury

Range Rovers by Onyx - Click above for high-res image gallery

Since we're getting close to the time frame seen in the movie Demolition Man, you might want to start shopping for a car that can prepare you for Stallone and Snipes blasting it out in the streets. Irish tuning house Onyx could have what you seek with its new 2010 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Vogue conversions. Inside are buffalo hides and carbon fiber, and outside are a ring of bluff skirting, along with LEDs on the Vogue and, naturally, 22-inch TPM wheels.

Some under-the-hood work has also been done, adding an impressive 80 horsepower to the already very quick Supercharged model's 517 horsepower. You can read about the Onyx Rovers in the press release after the jump and check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below. And feel free to also enjoy the musical riff on this post's title - it's most likely the kind of soundtrack you'll hear coming from one of these, anyway...

Gallery: Range Rover Tuning by Onyx

[Source: Onyx]

Continue reading Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys

Onyx slams 2010 Range Rover, lets the boys be boys originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Range Rover 6x4 custom pickup is full of hot air

Dan Roth — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Etc., Land Rover

Custom Range Rover crew-cab truck - click above for gallery

So you've got a hot air balloon and a Range Rover, no problem so far. Then, one day you catch the "you got chocolate in my peanut butter" fever, and it's time to create a Rover/Balloon mash-up. Your handy pile of old money means that the Rangie goes off to a bespoke vehicle specialist, said to specialize in "stretch Rolls Royce and 6-wheel Range Rovers for oil sheiks." Well, who else would you send it to, anyway?

Of course, since the balloon runs on LP gas, converting the Rover to run on the same fuel will save some money. With the dosh you save, you might as well install some big, chunky tires so that it "rides like a big Range Rover on chunky tires," and trashes fuel economy a little, too. The vehicle is in the UK, but the seller will ship. Construction quality is reportedly epic, and who doesn't have a desire for the castoffs of the wealthy? Looking at the photos, it appears to have taken its share of (ab)use lately; the blue hood is a nice touch, along with the various trappings of old Rovers, like the permanently exposed fusebox. It's on eBay for just under $8,000 - a pittance for a custom crew cab Range Rover pickup, especially if you've got a hot air balloon kicking around.

Gallery: Crew Cab Range Rover Pickup

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Range Rover 6x4 custom pickup is full of hot air originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Land Rover brings Autobiography package to 2010 Range Rover Sport

Drew Phillips — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, SUV, Land Rover

2010 Range Rover Sport Autobiography - Click above for high-res image gallery

We can't figure out exactly what the name Autobiography is supposed to convey, but Land Rover seems to think it's a fitting name to put on its top-of-the-line Range Rover models. Last year, they pulled the wraps off the Range Rover Autobiography at the British Motor Show, and this week at the LA Auto Show the Range Rover Sport Autobiography has just made its official debut.

Most of the appeal of the package is inside. All of the seating surfaces are covered in beautiful two-tone leather, and the Autobiography logo can be found in the wood door inserts and the embossed headrests. The exterior gets a few special touches as well, including body-colored lower door panels, an extended roof spoiler, and special 20-inch alloy wheels.

Just 250 examples of the Range Rover Sport Autobiography will be built, all in Santorini Black with the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 as standard. Pricing is listed as an imposing $88,545, but we can see that in its exclusive circle, enough Land Rover buyers will likely be willing to cough up a $14,000 premium to have their own Autobiography, even if it's only a leather, wheel, and trim package. Hit the jump for full details, or check out our high-res gallery of live shots below.

Gallery: 2010 Range Rover Sport Autobiography

Continue reading LA 2009: Land Rover brings Autobiography package to 2010 Range Rover Sport

LA 2009: Land Rover brings Autobiography package to 2010 Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Tata Motors back in the black as Jaguar/Land Rover fortunes improve

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Jaguar, Land Rover, India, Tata, Luxury, Off-Road

While many confusing car-related things have happened in the upper strata of the Autoverse over the last few years (Aston Martin and Ferrari both being impart owned by Middle Eastern concerns, Aston Martin not being bankrupt) perhaps the most shocking and disconcerting was Ford's sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to India's Tata. To many, the scheme seemed doomed from the get go and after a couple cash-hemorrhaging quarters coupled to the recent recession, the naysayers appeared right.

Turns out, Tata can say nay to the naysayers as its two prestige/luxury brands just turned a profit. A combination of cost cuts and attractive new models (LR4, XF) have helped catapult the long time money losers into the black. And while the $4.7 million in consolidated net profits last quarter is certainly nothing to jump for joy over, that nearly five million bucks is a nice change of pace from the usual Jag/Landy blood red ink. JLR sales rose 23% over the previous quarter. Rule Britannia! Er, India.

[Source: Gasgoo | Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]

REPORT: Tata Motors back in the black as Jaguar/Land Rover fortunes improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ex-Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may take over at Jaguar-Land Rover

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Jaguar, Land Rover, Opel, Rumormill

It appears that outgoing Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may have already lined up a new gig for himself. According to The Times of London, Forster will become an employee of Tata Motors and take the top job at Jaguar-Land Rover. If this appointment comes through, it will be something of a homecoming for Forster who was born and raised in London. Additionally, Forster also ran production at BMW when it owned the late Rover Group.

Forster left General Motors Europe after publicly disagreeing with the way the company handled the aborted sale of Opel and Vauxhall to Magna International. Forster is not the only one that was not pleased with the results - most news accounts suggest that British and German governments are increasingly unlikely to help GM with its European restructuring. Tata has not publicly commented on the Forster appointment, but it could happen as soon as this week.

[Source: Times of London]

REPORT: Ex-Opel chief Carl-Peter Forster may take over at Jaguar-Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Land Rover replacing 61-year-old Defender model

Chris Shunk — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover

2008 Land Rover Defender SVX - Click above for high-res photo gallery

There aren't very many vehicles on our blue planet that have soldered on for 61 straight years, but the Land Rover Defender comes up on the short list. The Defender is reason numero uno why Land Rover has the off-road superstar status that it does, but the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the go anywhere SUV may finally be nearing the end of the dirt trail.

Land Rover managing director Phil Popham reportedly told Australian newsletter GoAutoNew that emissions and pedestrian safety laws will force the Tata Motors-owned automaker to either profoundly re-engineer or flat-out replace the Defender by 2013. The iconic Defender, which is also available in the U.S., hasn't even received major body work since 1983, which incidentally was the year Plinko was added to Price is Right. Popham insists that Land Rover won't replace the Defender with a kinder, gentler vehicle, adding that the new vehicle would offer even more on- and off-road capability, and we're guessing that any new model will come standard with more modern aesthetics inside and out.

While it's pretty clear that the Defender as we know it is likely on it's last set of knobby tires, there is still a decent chance that the geriatric SUV's successor could retain the Defender name. After all, you just don't throw away 61 years of name recognition on a whim, right?

Gallery: Land Rover Defender SVX

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

REPORT: Land Rover replacing 61-year-old Defender model originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Careful what you put in your mouth

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Land Rover, Humor

Careful what you put in your mouth - Click above to watch the video after the break

It's a classic scenario: You visit someone's house for the first time... say, on a first date. You find yourself with a little alone time as your host tends to a few last-minute items before you take off together - and you get a little nosy. It's all right, we've all been there. Be it in the medicine cabinet or in the living room, sometimes you find something that really catches your interest. Ever been caught red-handed?

If so, the results couldn't possibly have been any worse than what you'll see in today's Funny Car Commercial of the Day, where we see a 2002 Land Rover Freelander that's been in some rather exotic places. No amount of explaining is going to excuse this guy's actions, right? Click past the break to watch the video and be sure to visit veryfunnyads.com for more gut-busting commercials from around the world.

[Source: veryfunnyads.com]

Continue reading Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Careful what you put in your mouth

Funny Car Commercial of the Day: Careful what you put in your mouth originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Year Over Year: 2010 Range Rover Sport destroys 2009 model in 0-100-0 dash

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Videos, Land Rover, Luxury

2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged vs. the 2009 model -- Click above to watch video

The 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged is hugely improved over the old model - and we were fans of the old model. When we drove the normally aspirated model in 2008, we dug it except for the idiosyncratic interior. The 2010 Supercharged model not only features a redesigned cabin, but 517 horsepower and a new set of six-piston brakes up front to be sidekick. That's 127 horsepower more than the outgoing model. Add that to a 51 lb-ft torque surplus over the 2009 and you've got an SUV that goes faster and stops quicker.

It's such a big improvement that the 2010 model gets from zero to 100 mph and back to zero before the 2009 model gets to... well, you'll just have to follow the jump to see the video and find out.

Gallery: 2010 Range Rover Sport

[Source: Land Rover via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Year Over Year: 2010 Range Rover Sport destroys 2009 model in 0-100-0 dash

VIDEO: Year Over Year: 2010 Range Rover Sport destroys 2009 model in 0-100-0 dash originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover reportedly puts plans for seven-seat LR2 on ice

Chris Shunk — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Tata, Rumormill

2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Land Rover LR2 looks nice enough and it has some offroad chops, but during our time with the British SUV we weren't exactly thrilled with its on-road capabilities. We're not so sure an extra row of seating would have helped the baby Rover's disposition, but if a news item from Autocar is to be believed, we may not know of a long time. The U.K. publication is reporting that Land Rover has postponed plans to produce a seven-seat Freelander/LR2 in order to concentrate on a new business plan that ups annual sales to 200,000 units. The seven-seat LR2 had been rumored since the smallest Land Rover hit the streets, and Autocar says the more passenger friendly LR2 was set to go to production by next year.

The new plan will reportedly be to shift the remaining attention to the production of the two-door LRX, which is expected to enter production in 2011. The LRX is expected to provide some of the volume Land Rover owner Tata Motors is looking for, while giving the British luxury off-road automaker a smaller, lighter, more efficient offering for the motoring masses.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Land Rover reportedly puts plans for seven-seat LR2 on ice originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 North American Car of the Year nominees announced

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen

Here in the car journalism biz, this is that time of year when everyone is evaluating all the recently introduced cars to determine which ones truly stand out. Here in town, the crew from Car and Driver are doing their 10 Best testing this week. Elsewhere other magazines are doing their own evaluations.

The organizers of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have just released the short list of vehicles that they have deemed worthy of consideration for this year's awards. The winning vehicles will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show. For now, the jury has to evaluate a list of 15 cars that includes the new MK VI Volkswagen Golf, Ford's Fusion and Taurus, and a dozen others. The list includes three cars with hybrid powertrains, two that offer diesels and everything from the Kia Soul to the Porsche Panamera.

On the truck side -which also includes crossovers and tall wagons like the new Honda Accord Crosstour, Acura ZDX and Subaru Outback - there are only 10 nominees. Check out the nominees in our galleries below - who will pick up the mantle after 2009's Ford F-150 and Hyundai Genesis?

Gallery: 2010 North American Car of the Year short list

Gallery: 2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees

2010 North American Car of the Year nominees announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch: Gun and booze hauling reaches its zenith

Alex Nunez — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, UK, Luxury, Off-Road

Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch - Click above for high-res image gallery

This, friends, is how one rolls. Behold the Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch, a joint effort between the gunmaker, Land Rover's bespokery and, well, Bacchus. One hundred tweed-wearing pheasant slayers will have the opportunity to drive this sybaritic super sled to the hunting grounds. Frankly, one wonders why anyone would ever bother leaving the SUV. This ultimate Range Rover is outfitted with a gorgeous, custom-integrated gun cabinet, a cavernous backseat console/fridge, and a liquor cabinet nicer than anything you'd find in Don Draper's office. Our favorite feature? Well, the liquor itself is "self-replenishing," meaning that for the first year of ownership, Holland & Holland Rangie owners will have the vehicle's booze supply refilled automatically. Think of it like bottled water home delivery, only with single-malt scotch, small-batch gin, and other fine adult refreshments.

Naturally, all the interior trim is customized to match the cabinetry, which, in turn, can be made to match the customer's Holland & Holland firearms. The paint colors offered are exclusive to this model, of course, and the exterior is dolled up with unique trim and wheels as well. Aspiring Limey ballers take note -- you can even swap the standard dubs with off-road rubber for a pavement-only 22" wheel/tire package as well. The whole thing is deliciously ostentatious and wonderful. Power comes from either the blown 503-horse gasoline V8 or the diesel TDV8. It should come as zero surprise that this sort of exclusivity carries a dear price, so bring money. The H&H Range Rover will set you back at least £120K. Not that that'll be a problem for the target audience. For more, check out the PR after the jump.

Gallery: Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch: Gun and booze hauling reaches its zenith

Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch: Gun and booze hauling reaches its zenith originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata confirms closing of Jaguar or Land Rover plant

Dan Roth — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, UK, Tata

When the economy gets dinged, luxury vehicles gets massive dents. Jaguar and Land Rover haven't been the most profitable aut for a while, and parent company Tata is studying which of two plants it would shut to try and stem some of the losses; Solihull or Castle Bromwich.

It sounds drastic, but the pain of closing a plant and shedding underutilized capacity - about 40 percent of JLR's production overhead is going unused - could head off outright failure. Production has been pulled back already, while jobs have been cut and wages frozen, so word of the closing is just more bad news, but Jaguar Land Rover CEO David Smith is committed to taking "decisive actions" to see the storied marques through. The union, of course, is unhappy, and a meeting will be going forward between the company and GMB officials to determine what actions might be taken on both sides.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image Source: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty]

Tata confirms closing of Jaguar or Land Rover plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surprise! Land Rover confirms two-door LRX for production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover

Production Land Rover LRX rendering - Click above to enlarge

Land Rover has today confirmed what we've long expected - the popular LRX Concept from the 2008 edition of the Detroit Auto Show is headed for production. The British-born automaker doesn't actually say the new 'ute will be called the LRX when it hits the market in 2011, but it will definitely be wearing a Range Rover badge and therefore likely be marketed as a premium vehicle.

No details are given about the coupe-like SUV's powertrain, but Land Rover does say the it "will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced." Previous reports have suggested the production LRX will share underpinnings with the LR2 (a.k.a. the Freelander) and will be offered with an optional all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain that may use an electric motor to power the rear wheels and a transverse engine underhood driving the front wheels.

Judging from the lone rendering released with this announcement, the basic shape from the LRX Concept should survive mostly intact, perhaps gaining a slightly more pronounced front fascia to go along with the production-necessary external door handles. Expect more details to filter out at the beginning of 2010, but in the meantime, click past the break for Land Rover's official press release.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Surprise! Land Rover confirms two-door LRX for production

Surprise! Land Rover confirms two-door LRX for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Land Rover to debut LRX next June for 2011 launch

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Crossover, Land Rover, Rumormill, Luxury

Land Rover LRX Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover is set to celebrate the first 40 years of its eminently capable Range Rover line next June. What better birthday present to itself than to unleash a new model that's set to bring its wares up to date with the modern realities of fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental impact?

The vehicle in question is the new Range Rover LRX, and Autocar in the U.K. is reporting that the small Rover will see its debut on June 17, 2010 with the first production models rolling down the line in early 2011. Styling both inside and out is expected to stay very close to the well-received LRX concept from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Based on underpinnings shared with the Freelander (that's the LR2 here in the States), the LRX could feature a transverse engine driving the front wheels with the first application of the marque's e TERRAIN electric drive rear axle, a setup that is said to be capable of powering the rear wheels using battery power only at speeds up to 20 mph.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Land Rover to debut LRX next June for 2011 launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata gets private-sector loan, doesn't need UK government money

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, UK, Tata

Tata's target was £1 billion ($1.65B U.S.) in loans to keep the JLR group going. And while Tata is in talks with the U.K government about providing a large chunk of that, some of the government's terms -- like veto power over management decisions-- prevented Tata from pulling the trigger.

A measure of success has been achieved with the announcement that Tata has secured a £175 million ($289M U.S.) loan from private sources. Those funds mean that Tata doesn't need the government's money. It also means short cuts won't need to be taken during the current launch of the new XJ and launch of the facelifted Rovers later this year.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Tata gets private-sector loan, doesn't need UK government money originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Land Rover, UK, Tata, Luxury, Off-Road

It's a little difficult to keep track of what's happening at Tata and JLR these days. While the XF sales continue apace and the XJ is promising, the JLR division lost £673.4 million pounds ($1.11B U.S.) last year, and parent company Tata was $520 million in the red at the end of its 2008 fiscal year. Due to those numbers and a so-far unfulfilled quest for financing, Tata has been relentlessly talking up the need to shed production workers.

A report today, however, says that because of "forecasts of strong demand" for the refreshed Land Rover Discover and Range Rover Sport, the Solihull plant will increase production. Workers who've been on shortened hours since the spring will now go back to a five-day work week. That's good news for the employees and hopefully for Tata. Worker at Land Rover's Halewood plant don't fare so well: the Freelander factory will be shut down intermittently because of low demand.

[Source: What Car?]

Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar/Land Rover reportedly chalks up $1.1B loss

Chris Shunk — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials

2010 Jaguar XJ - Click above for high-res image gallery

The steep downturn of the world's luxury automotive markets has taken a toll on Jaguar/Land Rover, and the company's bottom line has taken a huge hit as a result. Automotive News is citing a Financial Times report that says Tata Motors' British luxury marques lost 673.4 million pounds ($1.11 billion U.S.) in 2008. That's a $2 billion swing from the 641.5 million pound ($1.05 billion) profit the British brands earned in 2007. Tata Motors said last month that Jaguar/Land Rover lost 306 million pounds ($504 million) for for the fiscal year ending March 2009.

The Financial Times report comes as Tata Motors is working out a deal with the British government to provide short-term financing for the cash-strapped automaker. The report that says the U.K. government is willing to provide a 175 million pound ($288 million) commercial bridge loan to keep operations running. The reports says Tata Motors would like a 12-month loan, while the British government would like a six-month term, along with representation on the board.

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ

[Source: Automotive News]

Jaguar/Land Rover reportedly chalks up $1.1B loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British government drags its feet, Tata threatens to cancel Indica EV for the UK

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hatchback, Jaguar, Land Rover, UK, Tata, Electric

In January, the UK government set aside £2.3 billion for loan guarantees to help automakers start producing electric cars on the island. In April, Tata applied for £10 billion from the program to build its Indica Vista EV. Last week the Indian firm was told that it would be another eight weeks before the Department for Business Innovation and Skills would decide on Tata's application.

Tata can't understand what the holdup is and plans to deliver a petition to the minister in charge of the program to make its case. It can't help that while Tata waits it's watching UK government figures give speeches at Nissan facilities in an attempt to woo the Japanese automaker to produce electric cars in England. Nor can it help that Tata's Norwegian arm has already been approved by for a loan by the Norwegian government to make electric cars there.

Tata is also waiting on its €340 billion European Investment Bank loan to be approved by the UK government. That loan was for Jaguar and Land Rover aid, but the issue of both loans is said to be about the British government wanting to make sure that Tata can repay the money. If the government doesn't decide soon, they might have much bigger things to deliberate on -- like more job losses at JLR...

[Source: Guardian]

British government drags its feet, Tata threatens to cancel Indica EV for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tata considers more Jaguar/Land Rover cuts after massive loss

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Jaguar, Land Rover, Earnings/Financials, Tata

2010 Land Rover LR4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

India's Tata Motors has reported a net loss of $520 million (25.05 billion rupees) for the fiscal year ending in March of 2009. Over the same period one year earlier, Tata managed to earn 21.68 billion rupees in profit. What gives? Naturally, the global economic meltdown didn't do the automaker any favors, but the main problem can be sourced back to the poor performance of Jaguar and Land Rover, which the Indian automaker purchased from Ford last year with the help of a $3 billion bridge loan.

The fact that Jaguar Land Rover accounted for $504 million of that $520 million total loss means that more job cuts and plant shutdowns are in store for the ailing British duo. Says Tata Vice Chairman Ravi Kant:

We have sent people on sabbatical, gone for cheaper low-cost country sourcing and tight control in cash flows, and are assisting JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) for a major belt tightening.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Tata was in search of some £1 billion ($1.5B) in cash and underwriting help to pump into the JLR operations.

Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Discovery 4

[Source: Reuters]

Tata considers more Jaguar/Land Rover cuts after massive loss originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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