http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060122/bs_nm/autos_ford_renault_dc

Ford rejects Renault bid for Jaguar

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. number two automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) has rejected an approach from France's Renault (RENA.PA) to buy ailing luxury-car maker Jaguar, the Sunday Times newspaper said.

The paper, citing senior auto industry sources, said Renault had expressed its interest in acquiring Jaguar to Ford last year, but Ford's chiefs, led by Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford Jr., were understood to have rejected the French firm's overtures.

Neither company was immediately available for comment.

Looks like Jag isn't going anywhere... well atleast for now.
I think it would be a dumb move for Ford to sell them off now - they just dumped a ton of money into them and with lots of cool looking new models coming.



BTW - what happened with all those locked threads? I was gonna post this in the Ford thread, but it was locked??
:confused:

BTW - what happened with all those locked threads? I was gonna post this in the Ford thread, but it was locked??
:confused:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showpost.php?p=12385631&postcount=9

Some of us much prefer having discussions in their own threads, and BigElm decided that rather than confuse people with free threads and 'Related' threads he would lock the Related threads so they eventually fade away.

If they'd let Jag be as cool as Aston Martin, they wouldn't be having a problem.

Right on Matt. Agree fully. Jag just is no comparison to Aston as of right now.

Well Jag doesn't have a clearly defined "image". I think that new S-Type concept can go a long way to give them a distinct image that is unlike any of the other sport/luxury players out there.

And Aston has the most gorgeous cars, but it is also a much lower volume, and higher end line too. Jag can't be profitable selling at those volumes.

I think Jaguar is changing direction. Ian Callum is heading design and he was responsible for the Aston Martin DB7, which actually looks a bit like a Jaguar and not a traditional Aston. Anyways apparently Automobile magazine has the following in their Feb issue. quote from leftlanenews.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/jan20xj.jpg
Automobile magazine is reporting that Jaguar will launch a new XJ in early 2009 that, while mechanically similar to the current high-tech aluminum XJ, will feature an all-new exterior. According to the report, much of the current XJ’s sales disappointment can be attributed to its styling, which looks dated. The car is said to be aimed at the Mercedes CLS-Class, taking on the appearance of a four-door coupe. Shown right is a computer rendering of how the car is expected to look. For a full-page view, you’ll have to pick up the magazine at your local newsstand. Meanwhile, there are still conflicting reports regarding the new S-Type, which is due as a 2008 model. Automobile says the new model will feature the same steel construction as the current model, with a new exterior skin. The report also suggests Jaguar will drop plans for a wagon version. An X-Type replacement is possible in 2010, but no decision has been reached. Lastly, the Automobile says an XF-Type roadster may arrive anywhere between 2009 and 2011 — possibly a derivative of the new XK.

I think Jaguar is changing direction. Ian Callum is heading design and he was responsible for the Aston Martin DB7, which actually looks a bit like a Jaguar and not a traditional Aston. Anyways apparently Automobile magazine has the following in their Feb issue. quote from leftlanenews.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/jan20xj.jpg

Hmmm... I actually like the "dated" design of the current XJ. Honestly, apart from the excellent aluminum chassis, (which is also used by the A8) we all know Jag will never be as high tech as the Germans. And to me that is not a bad thing. What if one wants a traditional ultra luxury sedan with distinct character but without all kinds of gizmos? I think the current XJ is just that, with the look that fits the whole package. I guess there isn't enough market for that though. If there's an area to be improved, I would say it's the interior.