Jaguar Land Rover investing more in technology and innovation

In its 65th anniversary year, Jaguar Land Rover recently announced plans for further investments in technology and innovation at the Geneva International Motor Show.

This includes the introduction of 8 new or updated products this year and £2.75 billion (US$4.2 billion approx. ) investment in new product development. They are also increasing total investment to more than £500 million (approx. US$755 million) to their state-of-the-art Engine Manufacturing Center in the UK, doubling the number of jobs to 1,400.

The new model releases will include the world's first 9-speed transmission in a passenger vehicle, alongside its new all-electric Defender research vehicles. The Jaguar XFR-, which is their Jaguar's fastest and most powerful sports saloon car, also makes its eagerly awaited European debut alongside the new two-seat sports car, the Jaguar F-TYPE.

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Jaguar Land Rover pushes up Tata's profits

Tata Motors has announced a 41% rise in profits booted by rise in sales by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) despite fall in profits within the Indian market (falling more than half to 1.74bn Rupees).

The rise is attributed to sales (32,000) of the new Range Rover Evoque model.

In the three months to December 31, China has also overtaken UK as JLR's biggest market. China now accounts for 17.2% of total sales compared with 16.5% for the UK. Sales have also increased in Russia. In the same quarter, JLR had a profit of £440m, up 57% from a year earlier.

Source: BBC News.

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Tata invests in the West Midlands

There was some good news for the automotive sector in the UK today as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced that they plan to increase their workforce at their plant in Solihull by more than 25%.
For more info read their press release here.

This follows the opening of their new Global Headquarters at the Company's site in Whitley in Coventry last week.

From left: Mr Ravi Kant, Vice President of Tata Motors, Mr Ratan Tata (cutting the tape) Chairman of Tata Sons, and Dr. Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (Right).

Tata the Indian owners of Jaguar Land Rover will be investing more than £1.5 billion pounds annually for the next five years.

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Tata Pixel concept

The Tata Pixel concept was recently unveiled at the 81st Geneva Motor Show. This new city car concept for Europe is based on the Tata Nano, the World's cheapest car.

Featuring scissor doors, the car boasts of what they term as "zero turn toroidal traction drive infinitely variable transmission (IVT)" which enhances the car's ability to manoeuvre and park in the tightest of spaces with a turning circle radius of just 2.6 metres.

The Pixel is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which gives an economical 3.4 l/100km with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

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Tata Indica Vista EVX manufactured in Coventry

The Tata Indica Vista EVX was developed at the Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) based at Warwick University by a 230-strong team of engineers who worked on the project for four years.



The Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) was set up at the University of Warwick, Coventry in 2005.

Anyway, the car won two awards at the inaugural Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Brighton to London Future Car Challenge in September last year, namely the the Most Economic Small Passenger Electric Vehicle (EV) and the Most Economical and Environment Friendly Small Passenger EV.



The Indica Vista EVX completed the journey from Brighton to London at a cost of only £1.35. The same journey would cost around £6.17 for a comparable sized petrol engine car.

The new Indica Vista EVX is now being manufactured at Tata's secret location in the Walsgrave area of Coventry.

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Jaguar starts making money

Here's some good news from the UK auto industry. Jaguar Land Rover has announced a net profit of £55m (US$140.7 million)in the last three months of 2009. The profit came from increased sales (more than 165,000 models)outside the UK. The biggest markets were Russia, Europe, North America and China.


Other related links:

• Tata Motors profits boosted by Jaguar Land Rover
• Jaguar Starts Making Money for Tata Motors
• Jaguar Land Rover makes £55m in return to profit

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Tata secures loan to develop electric cars

The Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC), which is based in the University of Warwick Campus has secured a £10 million loan from British Government to produce a four seater electric car. Tata Motors will pump in a further £25 million.

The car which is based on the Tata Indica Vista is expected to go into production by the end of this year.


The Tata Indica Vista

TMETC was set up in the UK in 2005 as a 100% subsidiary of Tata Motors. The centre is engaged in design engineering and the development of products for the automotive industry.

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Tata Nano launch today

Tata Nano the World's cheapest car will be commercially launched today.



Watch the 10 things you should know about the Tata Nano slideshow on the Time site.

Go to the Tata Nano microsite for more information about the car.

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Tata to create 700 jobs in the UK

Indian car maker, Tata recently announced a £ 700 million investment plan with the creation of 600 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. It is also launching a new programme to recruit new graduate engineers in September. That's great news for the Midlands.

I have no idea why but unlike other companies, there is absolutely no news about this in both the Jaguar or the Land Rover sites. Only got to read bout it in the local newspaper.

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