Jaguar Land Rover is a company that brings together two much loved, highly prestigious British car brands. After Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford in 2008, it merged the two marques into a single company and its success has flourished, with memorable vehicles and innovative technologies that add to a long-lasting legacy.
The origins of Jaguar can be traced back to a company that began by making motorcycle sidecars in 1922.
The Swallow Sidecar Company later started building automobiles and moved to Coventry, switching its name to Jaguar after the Second World War. It produced premium saloons and sports cars, including the legendary XK120.
Around this time, Rover started to develop a new all-terrain vehicle, inspired by the American Jeep. Lightweight and rustproof, the first Land Rover was clad in aluminium alloy, due to the post-war steel shortage, and cost £450. It introduced 4x4 capabilities to road cars and was soon adopted by the military as well.
Adding to Jaguar’s reputation was its motorsport success in the 1950s, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours race twice with a C-type – in 1951 and again in 1953 – and then with a D-type in 1955, 1956 and 1957. In 1961, the company launched what became perhaps the most iconic sports cars of all time, the E-type. In 1968 it merged with BMC (British Motor Corporation), which later became part of British Leyland and included Rover.
With an increasing demand for recreational off-roaders, the Range Rover made its debut in 1970.
So popular was the new car that British Leyland made Land Rover a standalone company in 1978. Very little about the first Range Rover was altered over the years – 1981 introduced a four-door, while a diesel arrived in 1986. As the Range Rover became seen as more upmarket, the Land Rover Discovery was launched in 1988 as a third model in the range.
After splitting from British Leyland, Jaguar became independent again in the 1980s, before being purchased by Ford in 1989. Land Rover, meanwhile, was bought by BMW in 1994, which expanded the range further by introducing the Freelander. It then joined Jaguar under Ford in 2000, with the two companies becoming closely linked, sharing engineering knowledge and facilities.
In 2008, the two were bought by Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, and officially joined together as one company in 2013. Sales and profits have risen year on year, with more exciting chapters in the histories of these two brands still to be written.
- InControlTM Apps are available on Land Rover Models: Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery Sport (2016 Model Year)
- Land Rover’s InControlTM Apps platform will deliver integrated in-vehicle app connectivity for both Android and Apple smartphones
- The syste... (more)
Striking new headlamp signature
Ground-breaking exterior design refined to give an even more distinctive appeal
With its striking lines, muscular shoulder and tapered roof, the New Range Rover Evoque comes with class-defining features such as Gesture Tailgate function, Head U... (more)
WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING driver Felipe Massa plays Bond villain for the day in stunt Jaguar C-X75 featured in SPECTRE
Drive at race track celebrates SPECTRE Americas Premiere and Formula One™ Grand Prix back in Mexico City
Mexico City fe... (more)
Jaguar and Land Rover stunt vehicles Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and Land Rover Defender make international debut in Frankfurt, Germany
SPECTRE cast members Naomie Harris and David Bautista attend star-studded event ahead of reveal at motor show
Guests entertained by B... (more)
Land Rover begins local manufacturing of the new Discovery Sport in Pune
Bold and progressive design defines all-new Discovery family
Design leadership and engineering integrity have created the ultimate use of interior space with class-leading versatility and optional 5+2 se... (more)
Land Rover will launch the new Discovery Sport on September 2nd 2015
Bookings are now open at all authorised Land Rover retail outlets
The new Discovery Sport has many segment leading features such as optional 5+2 versatile seating option, 9-Speed Automatic Transmission, Ter... (more)
Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe astonishes two tennis fans with VIP journey to All England Club in a new Jaguar XE
Captured on film: McEnroe plays the role of The Secret Chauffeur in Jaguar’s #FeelWimbledon hidden camera stunt http://we.tl/i7sve... (more)
Jaguar Land Rover India today announced the launch of new 2015 Lifestyle Collection for both men's and women's clothing, gifts, accessories and luggage items. All products have been specifically designed and developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s in-house design team in order to create appe... (more)
Ground-breaking innovations to create multi-sensory fan experience at Wimbledon
Crowd energy to be measured through a combination of sensors positioned around the grounds and wearable wristbands, plus analysis of global social media sentiment and emotions
Mood and emotional cr... (more)
Land Rover celebrates production milestone
Six millionth production Land Rover is luxurious Range Rover LWB Vogue SE
Landmark vehicle fitted with unique, celebratory puddle lamp graphic
One-off vehicle showcased on Land Rover stand at Shanghai Auto Show
20... (more)
