Challenger prices released

Gerry Malloy

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Ford has finally confirmed the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors Ltd. for $2.3 billion (U.S.).

The two British brands were put up for sale last August, and Tata was named the leading contender in January. The Indian firm beat out several competing bids, including two that involved Jacques Nasser (formerly CEO of Ford) and Nick Scheele (former CEO of Jaguar). (See our history of Jaguar)

While a definitive agreement for the sale and purchase has now been reached, it is subject to regulatory approvals and is not expected to close until late in the second quarter.

On closing, Ford will contribute $600 million to the Jaguar-Land Rover workers' pension fund, reducing the effective sale price to $1.7 billion.

Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion in 1989 and Land Rover for $2.7 billion in 2000.

As part of the deal, Ford will also continue to supply Jaguar and Land Rover with powertrains, stampings and other components, as well as a variety of technologies, including environmental and other engineering and R&D support.

In addition, Ford Motor Credit will provide financing for Jaguar and Land Rover dealers and customers for up to 12 months.

Commenting on the deal, Ratan Tata, chair of Tata, said: "We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavour to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact."

Production of the vehicles is expected to remain in England and both the affected unions and the British government have reportedly endorsed the deal.

"Jaguar and Land Rover are terrific brands," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement. "We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata's stewardship.

"Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Co. that delivers profitable growth for all."

Canadian Challenger prices

The good news is you will be able to buy a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 for about one-tenth the price the first one off the line fetched at auction in January.

The bad news is, that car sold for $400,000 (U.S.), plus auction fees, which means it is going to cost you $44,995 (Canadian) for yours (plus $1,300 destination charge) – if you can get one.

Chrysler released Canadian pricing for the Brampton-built sports car this week, as well as announcing a Canadian-exclusive, limited edition SRT8 500 model.

The 500 is powered by Chrysler's 425 hp, 6.1 L Hemi engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. It features a unique exterior and interior badging and trim, and a certificate of authenticity to bolster its collector status.

Among its SRT-exclusive features is a reconfigurable display with "performances pages" that provide drivers with instant feedback on 0-to-100 km/h time, 100-to-0 km/h braking, g-forces and 1/4-mile time.

Also released were details on the full 2009 Challenger lineup, which will add SE, SXT and R/T models to supplement the SRT8.

The SE and SXT will be powered by a 3.5 L V6 engine; the R/T by a 5.7 L Hemi V8.

Newly available for the SRT8 in 2009 will be a six-speed manual transmission.

The 2009 models will go on sale later this year. Pricing will be released closer to their on-sale date.

Think electric revival

Think, the Norwegian company that reclaimed Ford's aborted electric car project in 2002, plans to re-launch its two-seat city car in selected European markets during this calendar year, and expand its availability in 2009.

The company says the car will be equipped with ABS and airbags and will meet not only European but North American safety regulations.

Powered by a choice of either sodium or lithium batteries, the new Think is said to be capable of traveling up to 200 km on a single charge, with a top speed of more than 100 km/h.

To avoid the potentially prohibitive cost of battery replacement at end-of-life, batteries will be leased to owners at an estimated cost of about $200/month.

Although no plans have yet been announced to sell cars on this continent, Think is said to have attracted investment from venture capital companies in the United States, as well as from GE. So don't be surprised if the car eventually finds its way here.

Tough Bed for Ford Super Duty

According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association – the voice of the automotive aftermarket – spray-on bedliners are now applied to more than one in three pickup trucks.

In a move to claim some of that action for itself, Ford is now offering a factory-applied spray-on bedliner, called Tough Bed, on its F-Series Super Duty pickups.

Developed in conjunction with PPG Industries, Tough Bed exceeds the standards of today's typical aftermarket spray-on bedliners, the company says.

It also claims that the military-grade coating has performed equal to or better than other protective coating systems, at one-third their thickness, in the U.S. government's toughest blast mitigation testing, and that it won't fade or chalk.

Truck speed cap coming

The Ontario government is introducing legislation that, if approved, will require mandatory speed limiters on large commercial trucks that will make their top speed 105 km/h. They would be required on all trucks operating in Ontario, if they were manufactured after 1995.

Besides improving safety, the speed limiters would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 280,000 tonnes, and save 100 million litres of diesel fuel per year, according to the provincial government.

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