The week started the way just-auto likes it – with lunch out – and a lively discussion over the state of play in the auto industry. On this occasion, with an Indian takeaway of Jaguar and Land Rover all but in the bag, Britain was in focus.
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And Professor Garyl Rhys, who’s got enough miles on him to be one of the best judges around, proved surprisingly upbeat about Britain’s position in the automotive industry when he spoke to the board of London agency Automotive PR and selected guests. For example: Rhys pointed out that the 17,000-unit combined annual output of Aston Martin (7,000 units) and Bentley (10,000 units) is a money-spinner that amounts to more revenue than the equivalent of a plant making 250,000 superminis.
As the Tata buy of JLR looked ever more likely, one of our best-informed freelancers lifted the lid on future product plans that management have already run by their prospective new proprietor, Tata: a new GBP40,000 two-seat sports car, a two- door coupe version of the XF saloon and most radically, a four-door version of the XK luxury coupe.
And an Indian newspaper told us the final price paid could go above $US2bn. While Tata denied discussing with Fiat use of any JLR technology it acquires from the deal.
The Chicago show this week is usually of US domestic interest only, as typified by Suzuki’s new Nissan-built truck and the nice looking VW minivans being stitched together by Chrysler’s Canadians for the Germans to sell in North America.
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By GlobalDataThis so-called ‘badge engineering’, or ‘OEM manufacture’ involved at least a new nose and some front panels for the Suzuki and a new nose, tail, panelwork and even dashboard for the VW though Chrysler, notably, didn’t let its unique Stow ‘n’ Go and Swivel ‘n’ Go seating layouts out of sight – it’s second row cap’n’s chairs only for VW buyers.
The big interest at Chicago, from the view this side of the pond, was Ford’s choice to import a small van from Europe, the Turkish-built Transit Connect. We like to think the solution to Ford’s recent US shortage of ‘gotta have’ new car needs is a careful pick from the European range – but they have tried that in the past with the Mondeo (the resulting Contour and Mystique were criticised for a lack of rear legroom) and the Focus (earlier versions were dogged by quality problems and recalls) so maybe trying a style of LCV never before sold Over There might do the trick.
Insiders have said this is easier than spending money Ford doesn’t have to redesign the antique Ranger pickup line but, if it proves a smash with flower shops, small businesses and tradesmen who like the easy-park compactness and relative fuel efficiency, why not?
Finally, came some bad news from Down Under, the long-expected closure of Mitsubishi’s Australian car plant, again raising the question no one down there really wants answered – is the local auto industry viable long-term? Certainly the answer, so far, is it ain’t without some solid export business, which Mitsi once had, Holden and Toyota have in spades, and Ford needs to get cracking on.
An end of an Adelaide era that actually began in the early 1960s with the US-designed Chrysler Valiant AP5 – the AP standing for Australian Production.
Enjoy your weekend.
Graeme Roberts
Deputy Editor
just-auto
