Tata Just Says “No” To Jaguar’s SUV

Tata Motors CEO Ratan Tata says his company has no plans whatsoever to add an SUV - or even a crossover, for that matter – to Jaguar’s line-up.  You’re looking at the reason why.

The question may seem obvious: if your company owns Jaguar and Land Rover, why on earth would you make an SUV for Jaguar?  You’ve already got the best 4x4xfar, right?  And isn’t the current trend putting carmakers on a path to smaller vehicles that are also more fuel-efficient anyway? 

Well, it’s not quite that simple.  It all has to do with the American market; a market that stubbornly refuses to let go of the roominess, capability and cache of our SUVs.  In fact, Luca de Meo, CEO of Alfa Romeo, says if he is to re-enter the American market a crossover SUV model “would be crucial for sales.”  And BMW is currently preparing two new M models (you know, the super-fast ones?) to add to its X5 and X6 SUVs. 

Gas mileage?  You might as well punch a hole in the gas tank.   But as for Jaguar, the plan is to stick with sports cars and will be launching new generations of its XK, XK-R, and XJ models in the near future.  They’re even talking about a super lightweight sports car that will run neck-and-neck with the venerable Porches 911. 

Why not.  This is America.  There’s plenty of room.