BMW still consider Land Rover a worthy asset . But I proposed the question today to colleagues in Munich whether BMW might reaquire their previously missed asset ?

Unfortunately because Ford has merged Land Rover and Jaguar operations together they are frankly joined at the hip meaning you cannot have one without the other. The solution was to be as what Ford originally had to do - purchase Jaguar engines (as Ford had to purchase BMW engines) until re-engineering was done to allow Land Rover to utilise BMW engines again .
But BMW do not want to touch Jaguar the financial situation is too complex and would need serious cash injections to put Jaguar on a steady road to recovery.

With Land Rover . BMW always considered an "Icon"portfolio to line up with BMW's products... BMW on one side . and then the icons MINI - Range Rover and Rolls-Royce. And of course there was plans to add Aston Martin to the portfolio aswell - British traditionalists would shudder at the thought of this.
But it was not to be ...

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While poring over the RSS feeds today, we noticed a tiny article in Automotive News about Ford's desire to sell off both Jaguar and Land Rover. The potential sale has been in the news as of late, but this article caught our eye because it reveals a potential bidder with which we're all familiar. According to Automotive News, three private equity groups including Blackston, Cinven and... Cerberus (!) have shown interest in joining the auction for two of Ford's Premiere Auto Group brands. Cerberus, of course, is the same private equity group involved in the purchase of Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler.

While the news that Cerberus has thrown its hat in the ring for the purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover is not necessarily surprising (this is what private equity firms do, they buy stuff), the thought of a new American automaker housing the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands along with both Jaguar and Land Rover certainly changes the landscape of the domestic auto industry in the near future. While Land Rover isn't in near as dire a straits as Jaguar, neither brand are performing at their peak potential. Unfortunately, neither is any Chrysler Group brand. Cerberus must really believe it has the magic touch to be getting involved with so many down but not out automakers.

Hmmm... Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Jaguar and Land Rover. Would be a grand mess. Jeep and Land Rover would definitely be a problem. If Cerberous buys the 2 British brands then they could let them work together like they've been doing and keep them seperate from the Chrysler brands, except for areas in which they can all use shared components etc. etc. A really iffy thing if they do buy LR and Jaguar.

Then again with the link to Benz still in place they could turn such a union into the powerhouse that DCX never was.

M

It would be great to see BMW running Range Rover again but they really have no need for it because they already compete in that market with their own SUVs. BMW have shown enourmous talent and skill at making the most from their British brands. Although many were very unhappy with BMW buying Mini and Rolls-Royce, I believe it was the best thing that could have happened for them. Those marques were on death row -- BMW rescued them.

*AHEM* MG-Rover...

Of course we were!

What could we expect from BMW on the control of Rolls-Royce and Mini after what they did to MG-Rover?

A leatherette-lined, harsh riding, monumental dullard, full with acres of fake wood veneer and cheap chrome perhaps...

And after that German offence to the motoring history called "New Beetle", we were afraid the new Mini from BMW would be a heap of retro tat.

On the face of it, I agree with you and I doff my cap to their work. Is just that whenever I see a Rover 75, I feel this urge of set every BMW dealer on fire.

Report: Renault considering Volvo acquisition

Over the past few months, rumors have intensified about the sale of Ford's three remaining premier automotive brands — Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo. With BMW out of the running for Volvo, Renault has emerged as a leading candidate, Swedish daily Dagens Industri has reported.


The report did not elaborate on the talks between Ford and Renault, but indicated Volvo was the only brand the French automaker was interested in. Shortly after rumors recirculated about the sale of Ford's three PAG brands, Renault-Nissan denied an interest in buying Jaguar and Land Rover, but did not mention Volvo.

Earlier this year, BMW is believed to have considered acquiring Volvo in order to share front-wheel-drive technology and production facilities with its Mini brand, thus increasing profitability. The German luxury maker ultimately decided against the idea, however.

Implications

The implications of an acquisition of Volvo by Renault are hard to predict. In its current role at Ford, Volvo is limited from moving too far up-market due to Jaguar and Land Rover.

At Renault, there would be less conflict of interest between Volvo and other auto brands. Of course, given Renault's close ties to Nissan, there could be some overlap between Infiniti and Volvo.

Volvo might actually have the most room to grow if it stays with Ford, assuming Jaguar and Land Rover are sold. As Ford's most premium automaker, Volvo would be free to compete fully with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

AB Volvo interested?

AB Volvo — which sold Volvo Cars to Ford ten years ago and currently builds commercial trucks — is also interested in acquiring a stake in Volvo, according to the Dagens Industri story. The company is interested in a 10-20 percent share, the report said.

Jag, Land Rover likely to go as package

While recent reports indicate Ford is looking to sell its entire PAG (Premier Automotive Group), the three remaining companies are unlikely to go to the same buyer. If sold, Volvo will probably go to one buyer, and Land Rover and Jaguar to another.

Most recently, it was reported that Cerberus Capital Management — the company that recently agreed to buy the Chrysler Group from Daimler-Benz — is now interested in buying Jaguar and Land Rover.

Renault-Nissan and private equity firm Alchemy Partners have denied an interest. Italian automaker Fiat is said to have looked at both companies, but also decided not to proceed.

[Source: Autoblog.com]

That article is originally from Autoweek, guess Autoblog is trying to make it theirs?

Anyway, I don't understand why Volvo AB would only want 10 t0 20 percent? Why not just make a bid for the whole company since they're pretty much one in the same other than the fact that one makes trucks and the other one doesn't?

^please let that happen..thats best for sweden and for volvo

Volvo not for sale; Jaguar, Land Rover still on the block

Ford is not going to sell off its Volvo brand, Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, has told the Detroit Free Press. He said the automaker is "pretty integrated" into Ford, suggesting a sale of the brand would neither be wise nor easy.


Previous reports indicate BMW considered making a bid for Volvo earlier this year, but decided against it. Renault has been said to have been interested in Volvo, as has Volvo Trucks. However, it appears Ford is not interested in offers.

Land Rover, Jaguar for sale

As for Land Rover and Jaguar, Ford has not denied plans to sell the companies. As previously reported, the U.S. automaker has hired investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to pursue the sale of the two companies.

The latest rumors indicate Cerberus Capital Management — the company that recently agreed to buy the Chrysler Group from Daimler-Benz — is among the companies interested in buying Jaguar and Land Rover.

Ford sold its Aston Martin brand in may for $848 million. With Land Rover and Jaguar gone, Ford's PAG (Premier Automotive Group) will essentially be dismantled.

Room to grow

With Jaguar out of the picture, Volvo will be Ford's sole European premium brand. As Ford's most premium automaker, Volvo will be free to compete fully with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, assuming Ford choses to use it this way.

[Source: LLN]