Ford may be selling its Range Rover and Jaguar divisions - Page 2

xx3 · #11 08-06-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

If Ford and GM hadn't bought the brands that you mentioned, they probably would have been dead long ago.

Perhaps, but you have to admit that with extra funding both brands could have thrived and grown significantly during the period leading to today.

Both brands were key inventors and innovators in the past. This all fell to pieces when they came under American ownership.

Saab was one of the first companies to commercialize the turbo into a series car, as well as Volvo being a pioneer in safety (BMW and others have quickly surpassed Volvo in this effect for example with the advent of HPS and other safety technologies)...

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Curious Joel · #12 08-06-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

They don't look distinctive anymore, the head designer of Aston Martin became the head designer of Jaguar, and now both marques look a lot alike. more sadness.

They may not be as distinctive, but they're still quite distinctive. The S-type and XJ in particular always seem to catch my eye better than many of the German luxury cars I see on the road.

blondboinsd · #13 08-06-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

They may not be as distinctive, but they're still quite distinctive. The S-type and XJ in particular always seem to catch my eye better than many of the German luxury cars I see on the road.

But their such bad quality, Mandy's Jag's paint isn't nearly up to par for a luxury car, same with her interior plastics, thats their issue

fln8tive · #14 08-06-2006, 10:37 PM

It appears that perhaps BMW is on the right track--letting engineers build cars, not actuaries and consultants. Jaguar and Rover barely survived the postwar socialist industrial groupthink that killed such incredible marques as MG, and Austin-Healey. There is no reason why a Range Rover HSE should not be setting the standard for SUVs...there is no excuse and it is a pity for the nation that produced the Spitfire and Merlin engine in WWII to now be a has-been in the automotive world. Perhaps creating an Autobahn in the UK would help...seems to be working in Germany.

Thunder22 · #15 08-06-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xx3

Perhaps, but you have to admit that with extra funding both brands could have thrived and grown significantly during the period leading to today.

Both brands were key inventors and innovators in the past. This all fell to pieces when they came under American ownership.

Saab was one of the first companies to commercialize the turbo into a series car, as well as Volvo being a pioneer in safety (BMW and others have quickly surpassed Volvo in this effect for example with the advent of HPS and other safety technologies)...

IMHO, They stopped being innovative well before they were acquired, and once they were acquired, they simply became stagnant or worsened.

Thunder22 · #16 08-06-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

They may not be as distinctive, but they're still quite distinctive. The S-type and XJ in particular always seem to catch my eye better than many of the German luxury cars I see on the road.

My point was that the Jag and Aston Martins have too many similar styling cues NOW.

statdoc · #17 08-06-2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

IMHO, They stopped being innovative well before they were acquired, and once they were acquired, they simply became stagnant or worsened.

I agree. That is why they ended up being acquired.

xx3 · #18 08-06-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

IMHO, They stopped being innovative well before they were acquired, and once they were acquired, they simply became stagnant or worsened.

But my point is that it didn't have to be that way. And that they should have flourished under American ownership...

Thunder22 · #19 08-06-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xx3

But my point is that it didn't have to be that way. And that they should have flourished under American ownership...

And I should have been Mr. Christie Brinkley in the 90's, sometimes life doesn't work out as planned

Driver8 · #20 08-07-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

If Ford and GM hadn't bought the brands that you mentioned, they probably would have been dead long ago.

I totally agree, G. Without the subsidies and cash infusions, I think it's fair to say that RR, Jag and Saab, among others, would be gone.

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