Jaguars are synonymous with performance, opulence, and class. Luxury sedans, SUVs, sports coupés—you name it. This British brand has impressive offerings in every segment, making it a hot favorite among car buyers who love to go off the track beyond the regular German choices. But who makes Jaguar cars? Is it really a British brand? We’ll look into all of it in this article.
Who makes Jaguar cars?
India-based Tata Motors owns Jaguar. Headquartered in Mumbai, it is a part of the trillion-dollar Tata Group, which has diversified interests in fields like steel, hospitality, telecommunications, information technology, FMCG, and much more. It’s no exaggeration to say that Tata Motors is one of the world’s largest automakers. They have a multinational presence, with offerings across commercial and passenger vehicle segments.
Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in 2008 in an all-cash deal worth $2.3 billion (approximately 9200 crore Indian rupees). After buying both companies, they merged them into one. In 2013, this new company was named Jaguar Land Rover Limited (JLR).
History of Jaguar cars
Jaguar started off in 1922 as a company that manufactured sidecars for motorcycles. It was called the Swallow Sidecar Company (SS) back then. Jaguar has had a long and illustrious history, so let’s look back at some of its most important moments.
- 1935: They debuted their first model, the SS Jaguar, a sports sedan, and the SS Jaguar 100, an open-top two-seater sports car.
- 1945– Swallow Sidecar Company was renamed Jaguar
- 1951 and 1953– Jaguar won The 24 Hours of Le Man’s race.
- 1965– British Motor Holdings Limited bought Jaguar. This later merged with Leyland Motor Corporation Limited to form British Leyland Motor Corporation.
- 1984—Jaguar became an independent company again following the nationalization of British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1975.
- 1999-Ford purchased Jaguar
- 2008—Tata Motors bought Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.
- 2013—Jaguar and Land Rover were merged to form one single company.
Interesting story behind Tata’s acquisition of Jaguar
Did you know that Ratan Tata, the then chairman (now chairman emeritus) of the Tata Group, was in talks with Ford to sell off their car business in 1999? Ford reportedly humiliated Tata in a meeting, which caused him to abandon his plans.
It was sweet revenge for Ratan Tata when, nine years later, a struggling Ford sold JLR to Tata Motors. Reports say that Bill Ford thanked Tata, saying that they were doing a huge favor by purchasing JLR.
Auto super app Way.com is here to reduce your car expenses
Way.com help you to save up to $3000/year, earn cash back, and always get the best deal with our price monitoring feature
Where are Jaguar cars made?
Tata Motors owns Jaguar, but that doesn’t mean the company has left England to become totally Indian. Jaguar Land Rover is still run as a separate company, with its headquarters in Coventry, England. Additionally, most Jaguar cars are still made in the United Kingdom at its plants in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, West Midlands. Jaguar also operates plants in India and China.
In addition to the manufacturing plants, Jaguar-Land Rover also has a few development centers, like the SVO Technical Center for Special Vehicle Operations in Warwickshire, England, and an engineering and development center in Whitley, Coventry.
Celebrities who own Jaguar cars
Jaguars have found a home in many celebrity garages due to their sheer presence, looks, and stature. Famous personalities who own a Jaguar include Ralph Lauren, James Hetfield, Daniel Craig, etc.
What Are the Current Models of Jaguar Cars?
Jaguar’s current lineup features a wide range of vehicle types, from SUVs (F-Pace, E-Pace, and I-Pace) to sports cars (Jaguar F-Type) and a luxury sedan (Jaguar XF).
Should you own a Jaguar?
Jaguars are notorious for their low reliability scores despite their high marks in the luxurious features, handling, and performance categories. However, modern Jaguars have improved greatly, making them a top pick for those who want to branch out from the standard fare of German automobiles.
Way.com, the all-in-one app, helps you find the best auto insurance, auto refinance, EV charging, gas discounts, best parking, and car washes near you.
Our app offers the most extensive coverage on car services, so you can always find what you need.
Own a car in a smarter way using the Way App!
Silas Smith is a seasoned writer with over 5 years of experience in the travel and automotive industry. His love for exploring the cityscapes is equal only to his passion for music. NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, F1, NASCAR– his cravings for the thrills of the sporting world knows no bounds. He loves to visit auto shows when he is not watching a game or playing NFS and Forza Horizon.