Just how global is the auto industry these days? Answer: it has become so global that your once ‘national’ marques now may be manufactured anywhere. Take the British makes Jaguar and Land Rover as an example, which are now both owned by India’s Tata Motors, which in turn is trying to secure a deal to manufacture in China.
The latest attempt to secure a Chinese partner (as required by Chinese legislation) sees Tata hooking up with Chery (maker of the bargain basement Chery QQ) to initially produce Land Rover SUV’s and then the luxury Jaguar sedan range in China, to compete against Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi for the nouveau riche Chinese public. Audi, for example sold over 300,000 units in China last year.
