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| Rumoured to resemble the R-D6 concept, will Jaguar's new XF survive the Dearborn shuffle? |
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It is reported today that, in an effort to drag itself away from the brink of bankruptcy, Ford is putting together a re-financing package that should create a cash and credit input of some 38 billion dollars. Assets to be leveraged for the secured portion of various loan packages totalling 15 billion dollars are said to include Ford Motor Credit Co. and Volvo. No mention has been made of Jaguar, Land Rover or Aston Martin.
That sounds to me as if the three British companies do not figure in the long-term plans of Ford’s new CEO, Alan Mulally. I wonder if Jaguar will be given a chance to launch its new S-Type replacement, the XF, which was announced today, before the company goes under the hammer?
It’s sad that our once world beating automotive industry is now at the mercy of foreign multinationals.
These once great companies will eventually simply be absorbed by one of the German manufacturers, who seem to be able to do no wrong at the moment. I bet Ford would like a bit of their magic to rub off on them.
John Pritchard | 28 Nov 06 - 23:54