Posted on 12/20/2007 3:56:27 AM PST by samsonite
India likes to trumpet its corporate successes, and this week the emerging global power had plenty to shout about with the appointment of Indian-born Vikram Pandit to head troubled financial giant Citigroup. But even as it celebrated, India Inc. was also up in arms over perceived slights to its ability to run two of the world's most prestigious brands.
India's currency comes of age, spurring complaints among exporters and bringing cheer to wealthy globetrotters
First, a group of U.S. Jaguar dealers said they opposed the possibility that Ford, Jaguar's owner, might sell the British luxury car brand to an Indian firm. Two of the three firms that Ford has shortlisted as potential purchasers are Indian: Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors. The dealers said that the sale to an Indian company would hurt Jaguar's image. "I don't believe the U.S. public is ready for ownership out of India of a luxury car make," Ken Gorin, chairman of the Jaguar Business Operations Council, told the Wall Street Journal. "And I believe it would severely throw a tremendous cast of doubt over the viability of the brand."
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
Er,..a very expensive Ford Taurus..
Tough crowd!
I'd buy an M6 or GT3 long before I'd consider a high end Jaguar or even a Vantage, but I still think they look better than a Taurus..
Of course, if I brought a GT3 home I'd be sleeping on the couch for the next year.
You’re right. The Taurus’ mirrors are better looking.
Or you could sleep in the GT3...
Given a choice, I’ll take the Aston, thank you.
That is how the aussie’s pronounce it.
How about a Bengal tiger for a hood ornament?
India produces locomotives, weapons systems, fighter jets, and nuclear bombs.
They ought to be able to handle a sports car.
The car’s computer will be programmed to run the vehicle off the road if it is in danger of hitting animals not smart enough to get out of the way.
Remember the Jerry Seinfeld episode where the sweat from the car parker totally permeated the interior???
Maybe the new Jag will come with a new “new car” smell!
is India bad for Jaguar ?
....gonna have to ‘splain the red dot on the grill , no ?
I’m just sayin’
Introducing the new Bodacious Tata...
(Sorry.)
1) About Citi being headed by an Indian and outsourcing going on steroids: Citi is in deep sh*t thanks to the sub-crime. The board gave the CEO job to the person who the board thought was best capable of getting the job done in holding the company together. This person happens to be Indian and yes, if outsourcing cuts costs, outsourcing will go on steroids. Too bad for all the lazy no good IT folk in the company who just sat on their backsides and took their bonuses home, life just got difficult. Live with it.
2) About Tata buying the Jaguar from Ford: Exactly what does Ford produce today that can even be called “luxury”. Also, I think the Tatas are better off financially than the Fords right now and will probably be able to spend more on R&D and new designs than Ford can afford. Part of the reason why Ford wants to sell, no? Yes indeed, Ford can sell it to a “Smythe” or a “Rockerfeller” if they are indeed interested to buy, but Ford will sell Jaguar to whoever offers better return to Ford. If consumers don’t like the idea, they can buy Porsches or Astons or Landwinds for all Ford and Tata care. If the employees of Jaguar are unhappy, they are probably as able to join other companies as you and I are. No one is bound by slave contracts.
As for the whiners on this board, there’s obviously a lot more of these deals that will surface over the coming years. Quit whining and get used to it.
Nice picture. And, the front drum brake is a nice retro touch - not much good for stopping but looks nice nevertheless. I wonder if it has electric start or if another retro touch is kick starting.
The Royal Enfield doesn't have much horsepower or braking power. However I would still like to own one. It's like a time machine. Around $5K.
And all the dealers know that. That's why they said what they said. It must be hard enough as it is to sell them without having to counter an image of being a Calcutta Slums car.
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