Over the course of its existence, Land Rover has seen a number of ownership changes. At now, Tata Motors, a major Indian automaker, is the company’s owner.
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Does Range Rover come from Toyota?
A 4×4 vehicle manufactured by Land Rover, a marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover, is the Land Rover Range Rover (often referred to as the Range Rover). British Leyland introduced the Range Rover range in 1970, and it is currently in its fifth generation.
The Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Velar are three further cars that have been introduced under the Range Rover brand.
Does Land Rover own Ford?
Maurice Wilks began work on the original vehicle’s design in 1947. On his farm in Newborough, Anglesey, Wilks, the main designer at the Rover Company, collaborated with his brother Spencer, the managing director of Rover. [11] The Jeep[12] may have had an effect on the design, and the prototype, subsequently known as Centre Steer, was constructed using Jeep axles and a Jeep chassis. [13] Early cars were only available in a variety of light green hues due to military surplus sources of airplane cockpit paint. All vehicles during this time period had solid box-section ladder-frame chassis, starting with the Land Rover series I. [14] At Long Bennington, early vehicles like the Series I underwent field testing and were built with field maintenance in mind.
The hyphen in Land-Rover, as depicted in the emblem, started to disappear once Land Rover Limited was established in 1978.
[15]
Land Rover Ltdsubsidiary of BL
The company Land Rover has been around since 1978. It was previously a product line of the Rover Company that was later incorporated into the Rover-Triumph division of the British Leyland Motor Corporation (BL), which was formed in 1967 after Leyland Motor Corporation acquired Rover. The continued commercial success of the original Land Rover series models, and later the Range Rover in the 1970s amid BL’s well-documented financial difficulties, led to the creation of a separate Land Rover company, though still under the BL banner, remaining a part of the ensuing Rover Group in 1988 under the ownership of British Aerospace after the remnants of British Leyland were broken up and privatized.
BMW era
BMW purchased Rover Group plc, which included Land Rover, on January 31, 1994. When BMW split up the Rover Group in 2000, Land Rover was sold to Ford Motor Company and included to its Premier Automotive Group. Prior to the 1997 release of Land Rover’s first unibody vehicle, the Freelander, the shift to BMW ownership barely overlapped with the debut of the second generation Range Rover. The Range Rover III, the first vehicle with an independent suspension and a monocoque frame, was presented by Ford in late 2001, and a large portion of its development was handled by BMW. [16]
Ford era
Ford further distanced Land Rover from its customary boxed ladder-frames in 2004 when it unveiled a new generation Discovery with a “Integrated Body Frame” following the debut of the all-new Range Rover in 2001. Only the Defender kept using Land Rover’s established since 1948 foundations after that. With the replacement of the mk. II Discovery, the Rover V8 engine was no longer used in Land Rovers.
Ford also bought the Rover name from BMW in 2006 for about $6 million. As ‘Rover’ might be confused with the Land Rover brand in the US 4×4 market, BMW had kept control of the trademark and permitted MG Rover to use it until that company’s demise in 2005, at which point it was offered to Ford Motor Company, which by that point already owned Land Rover. Ford made the decision to sell Land Rover and Jaguar Cars public on June 11, 2007. Initial interest in buying the brands from Ford Motor Company was shown by private equity firms including Alchemy Partners of the UK, TPG Capital, Ripplewood Holdings, Cerberus Capital Management, and One Equity Partners of the US, Tata Motors of India, and a consortium made up of Mahindra & Mahindra of India and Apollo Management. [17] [18] Ford formally proclaimed Tata to be the preferred bidder on January 1st, 2008. [19] Ford announced on March 26th, 2008, that it had reached an agreement with Tata Motors to sell its Jaguar and Land Rover businesses, and that it hoped to close the deal by the end of the second quarter of 2008. [20]
Tata Motors era
As a wholly owned subsidiary with British registration, Jaguar Land Rover Limited was founded on January 18, 2008 by Tata Motors, a division of the Tata Group. The two firms were to be purchased from FordJaguar Cars Limited and Land Rover using the new corporation as a holding company. The cost of that acquisition, which was completed on 2 June 2008, was 1.7 billion. [21] [22][23] [24] The rights to three additional British brands, including the Daimler mark and the two defunct brands Lanchester and Rover, were included in the agreement to purchase Land Rover and Jaguar Cars. [25]
The group, which had previously operated as two distinct businesses (Jaguar Cars Limited and Land Rover), though on an integrated basis, underwent a fundamental restructure on January 1, 2013. The assets of Land Rover were transferred to the new firm, which was given the name Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC and changed the name of Jaguar Cars Limited to Jaguar Land Rover Limited. As a result, Land Rover and Jaguar Cars ceased to be independent car manufacturing companies, and Jaguar Land Rover Limited was given control over the design, production, and marketing of both Jaguar and Land Rover branded goods in the UK. [26]
Timeline
- 1947: Using Jeep chassis and components, Rover’s chief designer Maurice Wilks and his team build a prototype. [27]
- 1948: On April 30, 1948, the Amsterdam Motor Show hosted the formal debut of the first Land Rover.
Land Rovers and Range Rovers are made by who?
Our cars are made by, or have as their brand name, Land Rover. Land Rover is the manufacturer of all Range Rover models. Within the complete 7-vehicle Land Rover brand lineup, the Range Rover Family designates a 4-vehicle lineup.
Owner of Toyota?
Toyota is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation. It was founded in 1937, and as of 2008, it had surpassed General Motors to become the largest automaker in the world.
Despite having its roots in Japan, Toyota has expanded to suit the demand for its cars on a global scale.
What other makes does Toyota Motor Corporation own?
Lexus is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation as well. The company also owns stock in Suzuki and Subaru.
Toyota’s stake in Subaru is 20 percent; despite this, it has a significant influence over the company’s direction.
According to Auto News, the companies intend to enhance all-wheel drive technology and integrate Toyota’s hybrid drivetrains into various Subaru automobiles.
Toyota acquired its interest in Suzuki in 2019 for about $910 million. Additionally, Suzuki owns.2 percent of Toyota’s stock. The corporations assert that they intend to continue to be competitors while establishing and strengthening cooperation partnerships in new industries in order to address obstacles in the automotive industry. Sounds like a win-win collaboration!
Who is Mercedes-owner? Benz’s
Mercedes-Benz is owned by Daimler AG, which was originally founded as Daimler-Benz. After acquiring new ownership, this corporation changed their name in 1998 and now owns Mercedes-Benz.
Aston Martin is Ford’s?
The return of the fictitious British secret agent James Bond to Aston Martin was negotiated by Gauntlett in 1986. To bring the Bond brand back to a more Sean Connery-like feel, Cubby Broccoli decided to recast the role using actor Timothy Dalton. In addition to selling Broccoli a Volante for use at his residence in America, Gauntlett provided his own pre-production Vantage for use during the filming of The Living Daylights. Despite his desire to play the KGB colonel, Gauntlett declined the part because he “simply could not afford the time.” [54]
: Ford Motor Company
Ford acquired a 75 percent ownership in Aston Martin in 1987 and the remaining 25 percent subsequently since the company required capital to continue operating over the long term. [55] Victor Gauntlett and Prince Michael of Kent watched the revived race in May of that same year while staying at the residence of Contessa Maggi, the original Mille Miglia’s creator. Walter Hayes, vice-president of Ford of Europe, was another visitor at the home. Despite issues with the previous purchase of AC Cars, Hayes recognized the brand’s potential, and after some deliberation, Ford decided to purchase a share in September 1987. [56] Following the successful sales of 52 Volante Zagato coups priced at $86,000 each, a limited edition Vantage, and 5,000 cars produced over the course of 20 years, Aston Martin ultimately removed the outdated V8 in 1988 and unveiled the Virage line. [57]
Despite having a two-year term limit on his chairmanship, Gauntlett returned the firm to sports car racing in 1989 with very little success in Europe. Ford sponsored the Jaguar automobiles racing team with a small number of Cosworth engines, but due to changes in engine regulations for the 1990 season and the introduction of the new Volante model, this supply was limited. Ford decided to acquire full ownership of Aston Martin since the entry-level DB7 would need a significant amount of engineering expertise. In 1991, Gauntlett passed over the presidency of Aston Martin to Hayes. [58] The high-performance Virage variation known as the Vantage was introduced in 1992, and the DB7 was unveiled the following year, revitalizing the DB line. [59]
Ford built a stake in the company in 1987 and by 1993 had entirely bought it.
[60] Ford added Aston Martin to the Premier Automotive Group, made new manufacturing investments, and increased output. Ford began producing the DB7 at a new plant at Banbury Road in Bloxham in 1994. Aston Martin produced a record 700 vehicles in 1995. Before the Ford period, automobiles were made using manual coachbuilding craft techniques like the English wheel. The 2,000th and 6,000th DB7s were constructed in 1998 and 2002, respectively, outpacing the production of all earlier DB series models. In 1999, the more potent V12 Vantage models were added to the DB7 lineup, and in 2001, Aston Martin debuted the Vanquish, its V12-powered flagship model that replaced the venerable Virage (now called the V8 Coup). [61]
The V8 Vantage concept car was unveiled by Aston Martin in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Vantage, which debuted in 2005 with little changes anticipated, brought back the traditional V8 engine to help Aston Martin compete in a wider market. The Gaydon facility, the first purpose-built factory in Aston Martin’s history, debuted in 2003 as well. A 35,000 square meter (380,000 square foot) production building and an 8,000 square meter (86,000 square foot) front building for offices, meeting spaces, and client reception make up the facility’s 22 hectare (55-acre) location. [9] [62] The DB9 coup, which succeeded the ten-year-old DB7, was also unveiled in 2003. At the 2004 Detroit car show, the DB9 Volante, a convertible variant of the DB9, made its debut. [63]
The dedicated 12,500 square meter (135,000 square foot) Aston Martin Engine Facility (AMEP) was established by Aston Martin in the Ford GermanyNiehl, Cologne plant in October 2004. The assembly of each unit was delegated to a single technician from a pool of 30, with V8 and V12 variants assembled in under 20 hours, similar to traditional Aston Martin engine production from Newport Pagnell, which has the capacity to produce up to 5,000 engines a year by 100 specially trained personnel. The idea was that Aston Martin will be able to build limited batches of engines for higher performance variations by moving engine production back in-house. [64] [65] The entry-level V8 Vantage sports vehicle was able to join the DB9 and DB9 Volante in Gaydon factory production in 2006 thanks to this increased engine capacity. [66]
Aston Martin declared in December 2003 that it would make a comeback to racing in 2005. The DBR9 program’s design, development, and management were transferred to Prodrive and a newly formed entity known as Aston Martin Racing. The DBR9 competes in sports car competitions, such as the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the GT class. [67]
A 2006 internal audit prompted Ford to think about selling off some of its Premier Automotive Group. After considering the pros and cons of selling Jaguar, Land Rover, or Volvo, Ford declared in August 2006 that it has hired UBS AG to sell all or a portion of Aston Martin at auction. [68]
: Private Limited Company
For 475 million (US$848 million) on March 12, 2007, a group headed by Prodrive chairman David Richards acquired Aston Martin. [69] [70] The firm was made up of two Kuwaiti businesses, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment, as well as American investment banker John Sinders. [71] [72] Prodrive had no financial stake in the transaction. [73] Ford retained a 70 million dollar ($40 million) interest in Aston Martin. [74]
The first east-west crossing of the Asian Highway was made between June and August 2007 in order to show the V8 Vantage’s toughness in challenging terrain and advertise the vehicle in China. A pair of Britons traveled 12,089 kilometres (7,512 miles) by car from Tokyo to Istanbul before continuing their journey 3,259 km (2,025 miles) across the European road network to London. Aston Martin opened dealerships in Shanghai and Beijing within three months of the promotion’s success. [75]
A Vanquish S was the final vehicle produced at the Newport Pagnell facility since 1955 on July 19, 2007. The Aston Martin Works historic car section, which specializes in heritage sales, servicing, spare parts, and restoration activities, relocated to the Tickford Street factory after being renovated. [76] [77] The 22 hectare (55 acre) Gaydon plant, which is located on the old RAFV Bomberairbase, is now the primary location for UK production. [78] With the reassuring words, “The continuing growth and success of Aston Martin is based upon Gaydon as the focal point and heart of the business, with the design and engineering of all Aston Martin products continuing to be carried out there,” Aston Martin announced in March 2008 a partnership with Magna Steyr to outsource the manufacture of more than 2,000 cars each year to Graz, Austria. [79]
There are now 120 dealers across 28 nations, with additional dealers in Europe and the new pair in China.
[80] Aston Martin announced the rebirth of the Lagonda brand on September 1st, 2008, and suggested a concept car be unveiled in 2009 to commemorate the brand’s 100th birthday. The first vehicles for mass production were planned to be made in 2012. [81] Due to the economic downturn, Aston Martin announced in December 2008 that it would reduce its staff from 1,850 to 1,250. [82] [83]
2010 saw the release of the first four-door Rapide grand tourers from the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.
[84] To guarantee adherence to the rigorous standards of Aston Martin and other marques, like Mercedes-Benz, the contract manufacturer offers dedicated facilities. Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s former CEO, had openly discussed the possibility of outsourcing all but marketing-related aspects of Aston Martin’s business. [85] It was reported in September 2011 that Gaydon would once again serve as the company’s sole automotive manufacturing location in the second half of 2012. [86]
On December 6, 2012, Italian private equity firm Investindustrial agreed to pay 150 million as a capital increase to acquire a 37.5% share in Aston Martin.
[87]
[88][89]
[90] Aston Martin issued a press release on December 7, 2012, confirming this. [91] In 2013, David Richards departed Aston Martin and then came back to focus on Prodrive. [92]
It was announced in April 2013 that Dr. Ulrich Bez would step down from his position as the company’s chief executive officer to assume a more ambassadorial one.
[93] On September 2, 2014, Aston Martin made the announcement that it has chosen Andy Palmer, a Nissan executive, to be its new CEO[94], with Ulrich Bez continuing in his role as non-executive chairman. Sales had decreased since 2015, therefore Aston Martin introduced concept vehicles like the DBX SUV and track-focused vehicles like the Vulcan in an effort to attract new customers, particularly rich female shoppers. [95] [96] Palmer claims that the problems began when the DB9’s sales failed to produce enough funding for the development of next-generation models, which set off a chain reaction of diminishing sales and profitability. [97]
Palmer described the company’s six-year plan to revitalize the 100-year-old British brand and make it consistently profitable, which includes developing two new platforms, adding a crossover, updating its array of supercars, and utilizing its technological relationship with Daimler. He declared, “Seven times in the first century, we declared bankruptcy. Making sure that is not the case is the goal of the second century.” [97] The business invested 20 million ($33.4 million) to develop its Gaydon manufacturing facility in order to get ready for its upcoming line of sports vehicles. A new chassis and pilot build facility, an increase of the parts and logistics storage area, new offices, and other improvements are all part of the Gaydon plant development. Aston Martin will expand the plant by about 10,000 square meters (110,000 square feet) in total. [98] [99][100]
Aston Martin sold 3,500 vehicles in 2014, which is significantly less than the 7,300 vehicles sold in 2007 and the 4,200 vehicles sold in 2013, resulting in a pre-tax loss of 72 million, almost quadruple the amount of 2013.
[101] In addition to the 304 million senior secured notes at 9.25 percent issued in 2011, Aston Martin also issued “payment in kind” notes in the amount of US$165 million in March 2014 at 10.25 percent interest. [101] To finance the creation of new models, Aston Martin also needed to collect an additional 200 million from its shareholders. [101] Pre-tax losses for Aston Martin rose by 27% to 162.8 million in 2016, marking the company’s sixth consecutive year of losses, according to reports. [102]