In Today's Financial Times

Tata Motors is close to naming the next chief executive of Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.

It has whittled down candidates to a shortlist of one possible internal successor and a handful of outside executives, according to multiple people with knowledge of the process.

A decision on a replacement for the group’s decade-long leader Ralf Speth is expected before the end of this month, and could come as soon as next week.

Nick Rogers, JLR’s engineering director, is the only internal candidate, while recently shortlisted candidates include former BMW executive Klaus Fröhlich; former Audi chief Bram Schot; and Fred Schulze, head of Audi’s sport-utility vehicle production at Ingolstadt, Bavaria, according to multiple people briefed on the process.

Tata Motors declined to comment on the names but said the company had established a committee in January to “work with the chairman to identify a suitable successor in the coming months”, adding that “the search process is on”.

The decision will shape the future of JLR, which was striving to cut costs and restore profitability even before the pandemic led to a collapse in global car demand.

The company is facing a crisis partly of its own making, with analysts pointing to bloated operations, too many plants and a need to simplify its overlapping model line-up to remain competitive as a niche global player.

Ralf Speth is due to stand down this September, when he will become non-executive vice-chairman of JLR
Sir Ralf’s successor will also face tough choices over whether JLR, which makes 500,000 cars a year in an industry where sales are counted in the millions, can retain its operational independence under Indian owners Tata Motors.

One option is to find a larger partner to help bring down its technology investment costs, such as expanding an existing knowledge-sharing deal with BMW.

An informal search for a new chief executive has been running since last year, with early approaches made to possible candidates, while earlier this year Tata Motors brought in executive search group Egon Zehnder to run a formal process, according to three people.

In January, it was announced that Sir Ralf would stand down this September, to become non-executive vice-chairman of JLR.

His continued involvement in the car company that he has vigorously managed for a decade is one factor in the appointment of a successor, according to people familiar with the process.

Sir Ralf has worked closely with Mr Rogers during his tenure, and knows Mr Fröhlich from his time at BMW. Mr Fröhlich left the German carmaker earlier this month, after missing out on the chief executive position to former production head Oliver Zipse.

Appointing Mr Rogers would be the smoothest step, and would bring continuity to the company during the global crisis, according to people close to the business.

Mr Schulze is considered a safe candidate for improving JLR’s production quality and reducing its warranty costs, something that has dogged the business. He is highly regarded by executives within Audi and its owner Volkswagen Group.

However, he lacks some of the broader experience in marketing or commercial aspects that companies would typically seek in a chief executive.

Mr Schot, a former Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen executive, joined Audi in 2017, taking over as boss a year later after predecessor Rupert Stadler was arrested in connection with the diesel emissions scandal. Mr Schot left the company in April. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Can’t see me sleeping tonight with the anticipation 🥱🥱🥱

Last edited by Jack frost on 4th Jul 2020 5:16 pm. Edited 2 times in total

the German's are after our final British motoring jewel.

God save the Queen.

They have not called me yet.

Mr Schulze is considered a safe candidate for improving JLR’s production quality and reducing its warranty costs, something that has dogged the business.

Interesting comment. Says a lot really. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

The company is facing a crisis partly of its own making, with analysts pointing to bloated operations, too many plants and a need to simplify its overlapping model line-up to remain competitive as a niche global player.

One option is to find a larger partner to help bring down its technology investment costs, such as expanding an existing knowledge-sharing deal with BMW.

I believe that these two sentences sum up the future.

JLR are already working with BMW on electric cars, I think it will get a lot closer in the coming years.

Jaguar Land Rover and BMW are joining forces to develop next generation electric drive systems
Collaboration seeks to advance development of electrification technology to support transition to ACES
Joint investment in research & development, engineering and procurement will provide the necessary economies of scale to support increased consumer adoption of electric vehicles

https://media.jaguarlandrover.com/news/201...rification FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Never fear, it seems Boris has a plan to increase the number of 'British' cars that will be available to you.


Brexit: Cars produced in Japan to be stamped ‘Made in Britain’ under Boris Johnson’s plans

Products from Japan or South Korea would be stamped “Made in Britain”, under Boris Johnson’s plan to save the domestic car industry after Brexit.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...98466.html

I can't believe it's true! FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)