Tata Says "No" to Jaguar SUVs To Protect Land Rover

Tata Motors CEO Ratan Tata revealed the future of luxury brand Jaguar lay with more sports cars and sedans, with no plans for any upscale SUVs. Considering Jaguar is now owned by the same parent company that also has to manage Land Rover, this comes as little surprise. While SUVs were considered a definitive way of boosting North American auto sales, recent changes to the world economic climate have carmakers on a path to smaller vehicles that are also more fuel-efficient. Ever-stringent emissions and fuel-economy standards are also being constantly revised, which puts more pressure on the development of large vehicles.

Although Tata has declined to produce a Jaguar SUV, rival carmakers have been expanding their large-vehicle lineups. Alfa Romeo is looking to introduce a crossover SUV model should the brand decide to reenter the United States market, with Alfa Romeo boss Luca de Meo stating that an SUV would be crucial for sales. German brand BMW is also preparing two new M models of its X5 and X6 SUVs.

Although Jaguar and Land Rover are both within the Tata camp, there has been some speculation that a Jaguar SUV would not fare too badly, considering Land Rover solely produces off-road models. But with no SUV plans, Jaguar is looking to launch new generations of its XK, XKR-R, and XJ ranges in the near future. A new Jaguar lightweight sports car is also in the works to compete with the Porsche 911.

Source: Motor Authority