Skip advert
Advertisement
Opinion

'Jaguar Land Rover ranks as one of the most daring car firms on the planet'

JLR is giving rivals a real lesson in creativity, along with taking care of costly third-party activities, says Mike Rutherford

I’ve long argued that major motor manufacturing groups should do more than build engines and cars.

When I was invited to Rick Wagoner’s office in Detroit, the then boss of General Motors complained to me that he was forced to spend more on hospital bills for employees than on steel for cars. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

I suggested to him that he could drastically cut his corporate medical and drugs bills by building his own hospitals staffed by GM-employed doctors and nurses. He responded by telling me he’d investigate this. Sadly, he lost his job a few months later – partly because those employee healthcare costs helped bankrupt his giant corporation.

'The Jaguar F-Pace lives up to the hype, and is a fitting tribute'

I had a similar one-to-one with VW Group Director Heinz-Jakob Neusser last year. He complained that electric vehicle makers are being let down by the battery industry. I dared to tell him that he should perhaps adopt the Samsung system whereby the manufacturer installs state-of-the-art batteries designed and built in-house. His almost angry reaction was VW didn’t have the time, personnel or inclination to get involved in such. Interestingly, Neusser is no longer employed by the German auto giant. Enough said. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

On a happier note, Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover is already taking care of some costly third-party activities – by producing its own steel, for example. But what I witnessed when I dropped in on JLR at the New York Motor Show is a reborn company tearing up the rule book.

'JLR's growth is an unprecedented breakthrough for UK PLC'

It’s giving rivals a real lesson in creativity by building new Jags on old chassis found languishing at the factory. And the announcement that it’ll source E-Types in all corners of the world before rebuilding them here is inspired – and lucrative business. Additionally, there’s a promise that old Land Rovers will be dragged out of ditches in Australia and the deserts of Africa then brought back to life in Solihull. This is another masterstroke. And the firm has plenty of other unusual ideas up its sleeve.

This brave new JLR business model could and should be the start of something very, very big. It’s another case of a British-based company showing the rest of the world how to do it. “We really have thought of everything,” a senior Jag employee assured me. And while that may be a tad ambitious, I get where he’s coming from. Fast-expanding JLR now ranks as one of the most daring and confident car firms on the planet.

What do you think of Jaguar Land Rover's progress? Leave us a comment below!

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025
Jaguar Type 00

It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025

Can Jaguar make its mark as a luxury, electric car brand in 2025? Editor, Paul Barker hopes so...
Opinion
27 Dec 2024
New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’
Jaguar Type 00 Miami reveal event

New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’

The Type 00 concept was unveiled weeks ago – although Jaguar isn’t finished with it just yet
News
23 Dec 2024
New Jaguar GT concept leaked online ahead of official reveal
Leaked Jaguar GT image

New Jaguar GT concept leaked online ahead of official reveal

The all-electric Jaguar concept adopts bold new styling direction and showcases polarising new logo
News
2 Dec 2024

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts