Straightline - Tata buying spree rumors

Tata buying spree rumors

Fresh off nailing down the Jaguar/Land Rover deal; there are rumors that Tata is interested in getting a stake in both MV Agusta, the hyper-performance Italian motorcycle maker; and Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina.

It's interesting to note that both VW (VW and Ducati?) and now Tata, are interested in getting an exotic motorcycle brand under their large umbrellas.

As for Pininfarina, Tata is aiming to take a minority holding in the firm, partnering up with the French industrial group, Bollore, with up to a 100-million euro capital increase. It's expected that Tata and Bollare will cut down the Pininfarina family's share from 55-percent to 30-percent.

Full story here and here.

Posted by Bob Apr 29, 2008 4:00 am

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Categories: Jaguar | Land Rover | Tata Motors | Volkswagen | Auto Industry

Comments

estreka - Apr 29, 2008 8:03 am (#1 Total: 4)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

Pininfarina is a very influential company. Having their resources could prove valuable in Europe.

I still stand that these automakers are buying motorcycle companies to increase average fleet mileage.

flicmod - Apr 29, 2008 10:11 am (#2 Total: 4)

estreka,

Do you mean increasing average mileage as in CAFE or just as a PR move to skew the numbers for marketing purposes? If the former, do motorcycles count towards CAFE ratings? Or is it just cars?

Interesting thought.