Skip advert
Advertisement

JLR will not be sold to any manufacturer, says CEO

JLR will not be sold to any other car manufacturing group despite recent news reports according to CEO Dr Ralph Speth

Dr Ralph Speth

Jaguar Land Rover has given its strongest indication yet that the company will not be sold to Peugeot-Citroen, Fiat-Chrysler, Hyundai-Kia or any other motor manufacturing groups hoping to buy their way into the premium car and luxury SUV markets.

Dr Ralph Speth, JLR’s CEO, concedes that his British-based company is currently going through a financially tough period. But there are many good reasons for this - including the politically-driven collapse of diesel car sales that he has, in the past, relied so heavily on; multi-billion pound spending on cleaner future products; plus massive construction works and other investments in his UK and overseas plants.

Advertisement - Article continues below

JLR employees could move to a four-day week

Speth also pointed out that the likes of Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat-Chrysler have suffered extremely worrying financial problems of their own in the recent past when, ironically, he says JLR could afford to buy them if it wanted to.  

“Today it’s very simple. Jaguar Land Rover is not for sale,” Speth assured me over a World Car Awards lunch at Ashorne Hill, JLR’s country house and training centre.

“We are owned by TATA of India. This is the way things will stay. TATA - with Jaguar and Land Rover - is a leader, producing leading products that have won a total of six World Car Awards in the last three years.”

Dr Speth is looking forward to welcoming TATA’s godfather, Ratan Tata, plus other senior members of the clan to the British Midlands this summer. These hugely powerful industrialists are expected to view and give the production go-ahead for several Jaguar and Land Rover products (including a mini Land Rover) destined for the showrooms of Britain and the rest of the world in the mid to long-term future.

Meanwhile, Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum CBE who’s due to retire from JLR on June 28 insists that at 64 he still has plenty of automotive and non-automotive design ideas and ambitions. Significantly, he did not shy away from my suggestion that he might go as far as forming his very own Callum Car Company which could build the first-ever Callum-badged car in strictly limited volumes.

Do you think JLR would be better to stay independent? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
4 Nov 2024
Jaguar confirms end of new UK cars sales until 2026
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Jaguar confirms end of new UK cars sales until 2026

Sales ends on entire Jaguar line-up ahead of 2026 relaunch as luxury electric brand
News
1 Nov 2024
The scariest cars we've ever driven
Scariest cars we've ever driven - header image

The scariest cars we've ever driven

The Auto Express team have cast their minds back to the scariest cars they’ve had to endure
Best cars & vans
31 Oct 2024
New Jaguar GT due soon as first of a three-car luxury line-up
Jaguar 4-door Coupe exclusive image

New Jaguar GT due soon as first of a three-car luxury line-up

Electric four-door saloon will be followed by coupé and SUV; you’ll “want a Jaguar, not need one” according to MD
News
9 Sep 2024

Most Popular

Fuel duty frozen, but new car buyers hit by VED hikes
Parliament

Fuel duty frozen, but new car buyers hit by VED hikes

Labour’s first budget spares drivers at the pumps, while industry raises investment fears
News
31 Oct 2024
Renault 5 review
Renault 5 - front tracking

Renault 5 review

The retro-inspired Renault 5 electric supermini is well-priced, nice to drive, and has great tech
In-depth reviews
31 Oct 2024
New Hyundai Inster 2024 review: quirky EV is appealing despite its high price
Hyundai Inster - front

New Hyundai Inster 2024 review: quirky EV is appealing despite its high price

The new Hyundai Inster EV is fun to drive, has plenty of space and is well equipped
Road tests
1 Nov 2024