Tata JLR deal & global media

The Western media was divided in the middle on what Tata stands to gain from Jaguar and Land Rover, with some suggesting that the Indian conglomerate can now take on the likes of Audi and BMW and others saying its a bad time to buy up brands that are reliant on the US market.

UK-based The Times reported that Tata could take on the likes of luxury cars like Audi, BMW and Mercedes, if it increased the production of cars from Jaguar and Land Rover.

"... if Tata increased production to one million cars from the two brands, up from the present level of nearly 300,000, it could take on the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes in the luxury end of the market," the newspaper said in an article published in its online edition on Thursday.

However, US magazine Time struck a cautious note on the deal, saying that it is not a great time to buy two carmakers

heavily reliant on the American market.

"As an apparent recession kicks in, sales of all luxury cars in the US are starting to tumble. And the weak dollar doesn't help matters either. So look for Tata to try to open up emerging markets for Jaguar and Land Rover across Asia and Russia," the magazine said in a report published in its online edition on Wednesday.

Tata Motors acquired the British marquees for $2.3 billion from Ford Motor Co in a landmark deal that made the Indian company the only vehicle maker to offer a choice of cars, spanning from the ultra cheap Nano to the luxurious Jaguar. 

Meanwhile, The New York Times said on Thursday the much-awaited deal also carries a painful payout for the American car maker.

• Tata JLR deal: Complete Coverage