TATA-MG Rover might split.

v12 · 1st October 2004, 11:50

India's Tata Motors will consider pulling out of its troubled partnership with MG Rover of the UK if current talks fail to resolve differences over the price and market positioning of the Tata-built CityRover car.

Ratan Tata, the Indian group's chairman, (pictured) said the relationship with MG Rover "in many ways is fine". But if the current disagreements could not be resolved "we would talk of a dissolution". That stage had not yet been reached, he said.

The companies are expected to hold further talks, possibly in early October, to salvage a distribution partnership that has worsened since its launch in 2003.

The talks centre on the price of the CityRover, which is rebranded from Tata's Indica car, and the addition of new features to attract buyers. MG Rover wants to cut the price of the car or add free equipment to make it more competitive, and has proposed that Tata bear some of the cost.

Financial Times . COM

GTO · 1st October 2004, 14:08

Quite expected. Most of the reviews that I have read criticise the Indica for its pricing and lack of quality/refinement/power. Dealers were quoted as saying that the Indica should be made cheaper by a grand or two (in pounds).

Our market would overlook the rough edges for the economy. But the UK is a developed on. Plus the pricing of the City Rover puts it bang in the center of competition from way superior hatches.

GTO

ajmat · 1st October 2004, 16:21

Rumour has it that there are a few thousand "CR"'s ready to be shipped but MGR will not lift them. They cannot be sold in India as the trim is not suitable - onder what that means - expectthem to be rebadged as a luxury version or something like that

GTO · 1st October 2004, 16:24

Haha. Like the Zen two door carbon and black versions. But these export Indicas would be way superior in quality and accessories than the Indian ones. Expect airbags, nice upholstery and the works.

GTO

ajmat · 1st October 2004, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ Oct. 01 2004,14:51)]. They cannot be sold in India as the trim is not suitable -

Thats what the UK press said!

Stratos · 1st October 2004, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (GTO @ Oct. 01 2004,14:54)]Expect airbags, nice upholstery and the works.

Agreed dude!!! but even if they sell it here, I am doubtful if any one will buy them.... as they would much more costlier than the Indigo!!

v12 · 1st October 2004, 20:52

They'll definitely sell it at a discounted price.

X-Machine · 1st October 2004, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (v12 @ Oct. 01 2004,19:22)]They'll definitely sell it at a discounted price.

Certainly.Afterall they have to gain something out of it.

X

Stratos · 1st October 2004, 23:34

They have to sell it at a discounted price to Save it become the next SAN STORM!!! LOL

speedsatya · 1st October 2004, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ Oct. 01 2004,16:04)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (ajmat @ Oct. 01 2004,14:51)]. They cannot be sold in India as the trim is not suitable -

Thats what the UK press said!

but wats special abt the UK trim.

.

maybe the UK indica is not like the truck-like indian indica.

amit · 2nd October 2004, 00:19

Even this or last months autocar india reported that sales of CityRover had stagnated for a few months in UK. They screwed up the chances of the car by pricing it too high. let's see what happens.

1st October 2004, 11:50	#1
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,739 Thanked: 7,212 Times View My Garage	India's Tata Motors will consider pulling out of its troubled partnership with MG Rover of the UK if current talks fail to resolve differences over the price and market positioning of the Tata-built CityRover car. Ratan Tata, the Indian group's chairman, (pictured) said the relationship with MG Rover "in many ways is fine". But if the current disagreements could not be resolved "we would talk of a dissolution". That stage had not yet been reached, he said. The companies are expected to hold further talks, possibly in early October, to salvage a distribution partnership that has worsened since its launch in 2003. The talks centre on the price of the CityRover, which is rebranded from Tata's Indica car, and the addition of new features to attract buyers. MG Rover wants to cut the price of the car or add free equipment to make it more competitive, and has proposed that Tata bear some of the cost. Financial Times . COM
	() Thanks

1st October 2004, 14:08	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,309 Times View My Garage	Quite expected. Most of the reviews that I have read criticise the Indica for its pricing and lack of quality/refinement/power. Dealers were quoted as saying that the Indica should be made cheaper by a grand or two (in pounds). Our market would overlook the rough edges for the economy. But the UK is a developed on. Plus the pricing of the City Rover puts it bang in the center of competition from way superior hatches. GTO
	() Thanks

1st October 2004, 16:21	#3
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,858 Thanked: 27,925 Times View My Garage	Rumour has it that there are a few thousand "CR"'s ready to be shipped but MGR will not lift them. They cannot be sold in India as the trim is not suitable - onder what that means - expectthem to be rebadged as a luxury version or something like that
	() Thanks

1st October 2004, 16:24	#4
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,309 Times View My Garage	Haha. Like the Zen two door carbon and black versions. But these export Indicas would be way superior in quality and accessories than the Indian ones. Expect airbags, nice upholstery and the works. GTO
	() Thanks

1st October 2004, 20:52	#7
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,739 Thanked: 7,212 Times View My Garage	They'll definitely sell it at a discounted price.
	() Thanks

1st October 2004, 23:34	#9
Stratos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,609 Thanked: 1,442 Times View My Garage	They have to sell it at a discounted price to Save it become the next SAN STORM!!! LOL
	() Thanks

2nd October 2004, 00:19	#11
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	Even this or last months autocar india reported that sales of CityRover had stagnated for a few months in UK. They screwed up the chances of the car by pricing it too high. let's see what happens.
	() Thanks