Jaguar, Land Rover roll into India

Cost: Rs 63 lakh- Rs 92 lakh

 
On Sunday, Tata Motors launched its two marquee car brands Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) with a price tag ranged between Rs 63 lakh and Rs 92 lakh at the upper-end.
To mark their official entry in India, JLR opened a flagship showroom facility at Ceejay House in Worli, South Mumbai, inaugurated by Tata Sons and Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata. The new range of premium luxury vehicles available for the Indian market will include the Jaguar XF, XFR and XKR priced between Rs 63 lakh and Rs 92 lakh at the upper segment, while Land Rover Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover starts with Rs 63 lakh and Rs 89 lakh at the top-end.  However, the launch of Jaguar XF will be later as this new car will be launched in London first on July 9, 2009.

Memorable day

Announcing the launch of iconic brands here  Tata said: “It’s quite a memorable day in the history and heritage of Tata Motors. JLR has been well received and well established in India (in the past), but over the years this brand has been disconnected from India.

Now, we have decided to extend the penetration of the two brands in India.”

Tata said this launch would give the discerning Indian customer direct access to these prestigious brands, accompanied by a parts and service network.  

Jaguar Land Rover CEO David Smith said: “It is an exciting time to be entering the Indian market, a country with increasing affluence and an economy which is still growing. We believe that the Indian market holds significant growth potential in the long term, and we hope to tap the demand for premium vehicles from discerning customers.”

When asked about sales projection for JLR in India, Land Rover MD Phil Popham was not forthcoming on precise numbers but merely said: “It is a small, yet a growing segment.” 

However, he added: “We plan to include India in the list of emerging markets after China, Russia and Brazil with good potential for JLR brands.”

He pointed out that Land Rover has presence in 165 countries. 

To start with, these cars will be sold in Mumbai and, depending on the response, more outlets will be added to six more cities across the country.

Tata Motors on Sunday said it will consider representation of the United Kingdom government in its two iconic brands Jaguar and Land Rover considering the extent of loan guarantee that the auto maker is negotiating with the latter.

Loan

“We are in discussion with the United Kingdom government on loan guarantee. We are hopeful that we will find a solution for it. Our funding plans for JLR will progress further,” Tata told newspersons after launching the  showroom here.

Asked if the company would consider diluting some stake to the United Kingdom government in lieu of the loan guarantee, Tata said: “If there is a large financial package, then it should be commensurate with representation or answerability to the (United Kingdom) government,” Tata said.

“It is a question of negotiating what will be fare and just in which way the process will be going,” he added.