RE: Jaguar sells Brown's Lane
Friday 24th March 2006
Jaguar XK150: made at Brown's LaneJaguar has sold its Brown's Lane site, which it called home for half the 20th century. The buyer is Delamar, a construction supplier, which plans to build on it and create over 2,000 jobs.
Jaguar sells Brown's Lane
Last link with historic site now severed
Jaguar XK150: made at Brown's Lane
The 500 Jaguar workers still at Brown's Lane, where car making stopped last year, will be transferred to other Jaguar manufacturing plants in the area. Jaguar also announced a new science and business park at its 155-acre site at Whitley, where it currently does R&D and employs some 2,000 workers. Jaguar has operated there since 1985.
The local council welcomed the move, saying that jobs, technologies and expertise were being created to help revive the local economy.
Discussion
sprinter885 said:
What's up? Jaguars pant, don't they...?
Somebody has to make the pants, or they wouldn't be Jaguars....
confused, as ever......
Does that mean they also do a "Belt & Braces" job????
No, no, no......
PANT...slobber, slobber....heavy breathing........grunt
And all that.....
ettore said:
Another throe in the long, drawn out death of Jaguar 
Sad, sad, sad
Hardly a surprise though.
Why? companies do change and evolve. Jaguar started in Blackpool but we don`t moan about them leaving there do we?
I think he's referring to the eventual demise of the brand, which I imagine won't be too far away given the rate at which Jag is losing money.
Ford never really knew what to do with Jaguar.
I worked at Browns lane a few years ago. I know it is foolish to get sentimental about such things but there did seem to be something special about the place. How long before Ford decides it makes more sense to move Jaguar R&D to Gaydon with the other PAG brands? Then the evocative phrase, "Jaguar Cars, Coventry, England," which made me feel proud of my adopted home shall apply no more.
It is sad, granted.
It would be even sadder if the brand won't evolve because it will certainly die then.
How come Volvo is building space rockets, Aston is making cars that look like nude young girls and Jaguar gets to build old barges that make a Rover SD1 look more modern? On the same platform?!
I mean come on, if you don't want to invest into young British talent, at least hire Pininfarina for the design and the bloke that does the brand managament at Audi or BMW or s/t.
It would be even sadder if the brand won't evolve because it will certainly die then.
How come Volvo is building space rockets, Aston is making cars that look like nude young girls and Jaguar gets to build old barges that make a Rover SD1 look more modern? On the same platform?!
I mean come on, if you don't want to invest into young British talent, at least hire Pininfarina for the design and the bloke that does the brand managament at Audi or BMW or s/t.
fourwheelsteer said:
I worked at Browns lane a few years ago. I know it is foolish to get sentimental about such things but there did seem to be something special about the place. How long before Ford decides it makes more sense to move Jaguar R&D to Gaydon with the other PAG brands? Then the evocative phrase, "Jaguar Cars, Coventry, England," which made me feel proud of my adopted home shall apply no more.
I regularly visit Browns Lane for my job, and I agree it's a special place. It's a ghost town now, so probably better to move out and on than to keep it just for the sake of it -- it would help with staff morale too. After all, it's not a modern factory and it doesn't have the facilities needed to be cost-effective. I would rather see Jaguar survive away from Browns Lane than fail hanging onto it. Nevertheless, it's a sad day and not something to celebrate.
PS. According to Ford, all PAG brands are currently profitable.
fourwheelsteer said:
How long before Ford decides it makes more sense to move Jaguar R&D to Gaydon with the other PAG brands?
Two years ago the Jag and Land Rover Engineering departments co-located so that each department wasn't duplicated by being at Gaydon and Whitley. Chassis, Body and Diesel engines are at Gaydon. Electrical engineering and the rest of powertrain are at Whitley. So in response to your comment, it's already happened. The Jag and Land Rover engineering departments have been merged for quite some time.
There isn't enough room at Gaydon to house the departments currently operating out of Whitley. To do that they'd have to build more office space. The board have looked at options to close Whitley on a few occasions but they always conclude that it's not feasable. At least that's what's Hans Gustavsson said just before he retired....
DC
>> Edited by DavidCane on Friday 24th March 15:43
smirnoff said:
Ready for flaming, coming in from the TVR forum. But isn't that a 150 not a 120 because it hasn't got a split screen.
>> Edited by smirnoff on Friday 24th March 18:30
You`re right - it is an XK150.
For all the current doom and gloom, Jaguar will not die. The brand is ultimately too attractive and still has significant equity - properly evolved it is one of the few that can rival the german hegemony.
ahonen said:
Another throe in the long, drawn out death of Jaguar
Sad, sad, sad
Hardly a surprise though.
Why? companies do change and evolve. Jaguar started in Blackpool but we don`t moan about them leaving there do we?
I think he's referring to the eventual demise of the brand, which I imagine won't be too far away given the rate at which Jag is losing money.
Ford never really knew what to do with Jaguar.
I agree about the Ford bit - basing the X-Type on the Mondeo was a big mistake. Apparently it didn't even save any money. Electronics are fine, even engine blocks but the basic structure was taking it too far.
What I want instead of the X Type is a 25-40K sports car or coupe. Something similar to the Z4 but beautiful and hopefully with a decent profit margin for the maker.
I understand that it was only the woodwork shop that really remained. Nowadays most interior parts are bought in from companies like Wagon and Lear. Images of men in brown coats lovingly selecting walnut and hide are a thing of the past.
Delamar are British company I think; so therefore if so something to celebrate???
Delamar are British company I think; so therefore if so something to celebrate???
What Jaguar needed is the F-Type, look at Porsche and the Boxter, they're selling millions of the things. If Jag had produced the F Type they'd be as desirable now as a brand as they ever were and I believe they'd be selling better than the boxter because after all, Jag is a better brand than Porsche and the F-Type infinitely better looking than the boxter.
A few people are aware of Browns Lane but to 99.9% of buyers it is irrelevant. Ford is only doing what is required to keep the marque operating efficiently and profitably. It's always sad to see old businesses move or shut down but that is (business)life.
I think some people expect too much too soon of Ford and Jaguar. They now have excellent dealerships and good, well built cars. The next step is to inject some modern styling which they are doing now with the XK. It takes years to re-establish and make competitive a prestige brand. IMO they are doing a good job....
I think some people expect too much too soon of Ford and Jaguar. They now have excellent dealerships and good, well built cars. The next step is to inject some modern styling which they are doing now with the XK. It takes years to re-establish and make competitive a prestige brand. IMO they are doing a good job....
pasthim said:
A few people are aware of Browns Lane but to 99.9% of buyers it is irrelevant. Ford is only doing what is required to keep the marque operating efficiently and profitably. It's always sad to see old businesses move or shut down but that is (business)life.
Funny how the whole world was up in arms about Aston moving from NP... yet when the DB9 and AM V8 appear it's all forgiven...
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