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Will Jaguar or Land Rover Become The First Arabian Luxury Makers?

Agent009 submitted on 07/02/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 10:15 AM
from: www.nzherald.co.nz

[44] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Will Jaguar or Land Rover Become The First Arabian Luxury Makers?

Arab investment funds are targeting Jaguar and Land Rover, the luxury car marques that US owner Ford has put up for sale for more than US$6 billion ($7.8 billion).

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company, already the owner of 5 per cent of Ferrari, and Dubai International Capital, which controls a US$1 billion stake in DaimlerChrysler, have instructed their financial advisers to draw up plans for bidding for one or both of the companies, which employ 16,000 British workers at Midlands factories.

Trophy car brands are a favourite for Middle Eastern investors - last month a Kuwaiti investor put up US$480 million to help buy Ford-owned luxury car maker Aston Martin.

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w209w114 - 7/2/2007 10:31:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

This would be great for Jaguar. They will be glitzier. Feature factory plastic seat covers and free gas for the lifetime of the vehicle!!! A kockout

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pacotacolol - 7/3/2007 8:34:29 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

i am arabian, i grew up in kuwait and moved to america to find a job in auto design when i was 20. but answering the below comments, it is not offensive to say ''will they be equipped with built in bombs and self timing detonators?'' Diahutsu (how do you spell that) to care of that deal almost 5 years ago with the TR-S3 (now defunct) that had a ''bomb belt'' with 10 bombs- 5 on either side. But jags would be flying off the lot and if ford kept it, arabs have lots of money due to the oil, ford would be making loads of money!

w209w114 - 7/2/2007 4:46:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Yeah, typo.

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Rupert - 7/2/2007 11:48:09 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Why would you say something so stupid and offensive?

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Rupert - 7/2/2007 1:53:01 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

You just accuse the Kuwaiti and Arabic people of all being suicide bombers...how can you not see the offense you could cause?

At least you didn't deny it was a stupid thing to say.

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MBKing - 7/2/2007 2:48:24 PM

+5 Boost

It's ok, he drives a under powered GS so his brain is probably under powered as well.

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Rupert - 7/2/2007 3:49:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Your words were "equipped", clearly implying that the Arabs need those things, presumably for blowing themselves up. Who would be interested in buying a car with a bomb? Why would they want one?

Don't try and patronise me, it's clear to me that I pay a damn sight more attention to the world than you do.
Please, tell me what I should be paying attention to? What is it that you're paying attention to that I'm not? It's certainly not "How not to be a racist".

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Agent009 - 7/2/2007 3:56:00 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

06GS300 - Stupid comment, you are showing your true ignorance... I thought better of you than that..

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Agent009 - 7/3/2007 8:58:51 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Probably because of the insensitivity of your remarks. Think before you speak.

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tifosi_f1 - 7/3/2007 10:13:04 PM

0 Boost

think? would need a brain for that!

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norak - 7/6/2007 12:29:34 PM

+1 Boost

Built-in bombs! Remember the Ford Pinto's exploding fuel tank?

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rom64 - 7/2/2007 11:37:04 AM

+6 Boost

No, but I'm sure they will appeal to worldly individuals devoid of ignorance unlike yourself.

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bokuchin - 7/2/2007 12:20:38 PM

-2 Boost

wouldn't it be funny if the cars became more reliable!

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SupraNeverBack - 7/2/2007 2:19:07 PM

+1 Boost

"Prestiges" are for sale over and over again...

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cdoke - 7/2/2007 2:33:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I don't know if it is such a bad premise. The difference is that what has been going in Isreal is on-going. Honestly, I don't know if I really know any Jewish people.

Is Rosenthal a Jewish name? I know some Rosenthals who are direct lineage of the Rosenthal Crystal company. I was once told it is a Jewish name. I have never asked them, and I never will because I really don't care. The nice thing about being from a rather WASPy family is that religion is a very private matter. Now, don't get me wrong that doesn't mean we aren't judgmental, it is just usually about other things though.

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Rupert - 7/2/2007 6:08:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I'm not Jewish (I'm not religious) but I don't think I would buy a car from certain middle eastern states. Dubai, Kuwait yes, Iran, Saudi no, but that's based on their human rights record really.

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cdoke - 7/2/2007 4:39:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Jagexpert,

I understand, and for your sake I hope they don't get it. Truly, I would like to see Jaguar back in the hands of the English.

I think it is interesting that I haven't heard anything about any English firms trying to get it back. It surprises me because I have several English friends who have blatantly stated that they beleive Jagar is the last true English car company. Don't ask me I don't know- I am just relaying what they said.

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iamdabest1 - 7/2/2007 7:01:27 PM

+2 Boost

i think many americans will not want to buy a car supported by the groups/investors who fund terrorists.
plenty of other luxury cars people can buy, why buy something that is by a muslim. its not that most muslims are terrorists, its just that most terrorists are muslim and this will not sit well with most americans. it didnt sell well when americans or the british were selling it, why would it do well with those monsters selling it ?
go ahead deboost me but the bottom bottom BOTTOM line is when we all get on trains and planes and see muslims riding we all pray to god its not our last ride........

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Auto_Fan - 7/3/2007 1:42:55 AM

+1 Boost

Its pure business matter. So, take it easy.

Rupert - 7/3/2007 11:21:26 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

" when we all get on trains and planes and see muslims riding we all pray to god its not our last ride........"

I don't think that at all.

tifosi_f1 - 7/3/2007 10:11:46 PM

0 Boost

why not kill yourself? you'll have nothing to worry about and -1 dumbass on this planet

rom64 - 7/2/2007 9:37:16 PM

+2 Boost

It's not a matter if a car company if owned by an Arab majority. Most of the capital needed to purchase Aston Martin was from Dubai/Kuwaiti investors. Nobody raised a brow, everyone rejoiced. An exceptional product will sell exceptionally well, thats the bottom line in all honesty. Regardless of it's origin of investors. This is globalization and no longer mercantilism, that's the beauty about it.

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rom64 - 7/2/2007 9:37:52 PM

+2 Boost

*is

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masoodr - 7/3/2007 8:42:28 AM

0 Boost

I am really amazed by the ignorance and racism of the readers here. Then again, ignorance and racism tend to go together. Arab, Chinese, HK, Japanese, and Korean capital already owns large pieces of U.S. companies, and savings from these countries finance the American trade deficit. So you guys seem OK mortgaging your children's future in T-bills being held by foreign governments (so you can finance your consumption today), but buying a Jag or a Landie owned by a foreign company is some kind of ethical dilemma fraught with racist concerns? Incredible. Arab investment firms and individuals already own major stakes in US businesses, and are key investors in private equity funds like Cerberus, Carlyle et al. Welcome to globalization, people.

Agent009 - 7/3/2007 9:00:46 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Some people are truly ignorant in the their opinions and actions.

cdoke - 7/3/2007 2:41:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Jagexpert,

I wouldn't worry too much I don't think anyone here thinks you are a racist. I am sceptical of the knowledge of those touting globalization.

You know, the concept of checking ones religion and personal beliefs at the door is very western. Hell way back in the day when Thomas Friedman wrote "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" he acknowledged that globalization is that act of spreading basic westernism (he actually went so far as to say American Culture)

There is no guarantee that people will do such a thing as dispense with their prejudices. Your concerns in that respect are fully legitimate.

Let me do an example about the people we are dealing with. The use of "ignorance" is usually the tell-tale sign of a weak mind- someone who has exhausted their other options.

I can guarantee that if I were to say that no true Muslim could run CityBank that I would be called a racist. Despite the fact that "interest" is illegal to Muslims- the person could not approve any loans with a congruous thought system.

Now, there is such a thing as an Islamic Loan which is a little different- the loaner bears the same type of risk that the loanee does and the money is loaned for a percentage of the project.

LexusLunatic - 7/3/2007 10:53:38 AM

+2 Boost

i think that having arabs owning jaguar or land rover will be a great thing. the arabs are known for their flashy cars and palace-like estates so prestige is definitely no issue there. jaguar was once prestigious but it has lost the flare it once had. jaguar is more exclusive brand than any other luxury automaker. how many xj's, xk's, s type's do you see around? not many right. i believe that the high end models of xj and xk they are beautiful cars and look like the traditional brit luxury car it should be. its too bad i cannot say the same for the x type a dud, or the desperate needed redesign of s type.

but the next best owner besides an arab person or company would be the people who bought aston martin. having 3 british brands under one ownership may be a good thing. the names jaguar, land rover, and aston martin together is a pretty respectable and its some high profile names.

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w209w114 - 7/3/2007 10:54:45 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

You guys wanna see offensive? Check out the Youtube video commercial of the "VW Polo Terrorist"

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w209w114 - 7/3/2007 1:38:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Yeah, They did air it but it got banned for obvious reasons

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