搜尋歷史
熱門搜尋
經銷商登入 / 註冊
Dear listeners, in our previous episodes, we discussed many Japanese, American, South Korean, and French car models, but never British ones. I saw private messages from several of you mentioning Jaguar and Land Rover. Jaguar Land Rover is a brand I am quite interested in and very familiar with. Before discussing Jaguar Land Rover, it is necessary to talk about British cars and their development.
How it went from once a great automotive brand like their country, a "Land where the sun never sets", to falling into decline now where it is almost acquired by major brands one after another, leading to the current withered state of the country's automotive industry, let's talk about its process. Talking about British cars, one cannot fail to mention a very large automotive group, the Rover Automotive Group. The English word spelling is ROVER. The Rover Group was established very early, around the 1870s. At its inception, it did not produce cars. At the beginning, it mainly produced bicycles. Its bicycles were very similar to the bicycles we ride now. The prototype of the modern bicycle was introduced by the Rover Company. This is very similar to South Korean Kia. Before making cars, Kia also made bicycles. We can chat about Kia's history another time. 
In 1904, the British Rover Company produced the first mass-produced car under its brand. This car was named Rover 8. It was also one of the earliest mass-produced cars designed and manufactured in Britain. This car was equipped with a single-cylinder 1.3L engine, adopting an era-defining central skeletal chassis design. Because the product was mature and priced affordably, it was very popular as soon as it was launched. At that time, there was even an explorer who drove it to complete a cross-Europe journey from Coventry, UK to Istanbul, Turkey. Actually, as early as the early 1900s, industrially developed Germany had already started automotive mass production. Mercedes-Benz and Audi had already launched their own car products. And at that time, the UK, reputed as the British Empire that the sun never sets on, also followed closely to start the development of its local automotive industry. So, British people were not willing to fall behind; they must defend the glory of our British Empire. So, that is when Rover 8 appeared. Approximately two or three years passed, and Rover 8 basically occupied the entire UK car market.
At the same time, due to the UK being at its most prosperous and peak time, reputed as the British Empire that the sun never sets on, it controlled a total of about 50 colonies, ruling over more than 300 million people and 11.6 million square miles of land. The territory area was equivalent to 96 times the UK mainland area. Different statistics standards yielded slightly different colony quantities; relevant data were about 51, 57, or 94. The colony scope covered Africa, Asia, Americas, and Oceania outside the UK mainland, with Australia also included. The UK also exported goods to these colonies. So the Rover brand quickly became popular, quickly becoming a mainstream within the automotive industry at that time. The UK was roughly in a "Splendid Isolation" state at that time.
What does that mean? It means the UK is relatively special; it is one of the few maritime countries inside the European continent. We generally speak of the British Isles, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is not connected to the European continent, just like Japan is a small island nation. Its development was indeed much stronger than other countries at that time, such as France, Germany, and Italy. It was reputed as the source of modern civilization. I'll give you a few examples.
For example, its free market economy was first proposed by it. The Industrial Revolution also originated here. Also, not a few achievements that influenced the world were born in the UK: Our China has the ancient four great inventions, and modern UK also has not a few achievements that changed the world. For example, Darwin proposed the Theory of Evolution and wrote "On the Origin of Species". Watt improved the steam engine. Also, the discovery of penicillin. All of these were born in the UK. In the past one hundred years, various industries—industry, art, medicine, and physics—all received its influence. Newton's Classical Mechanics indeed had a huge influence on the post-heritage world. That stage, such as Germany, Austria, including Italy, they were the Triple Alliance. France, Franco-Russian, Japan also formed the Triple Alliance; they mutually formed allied nations.
But the UK did not play this game. The UK I won't talk nonsense with you, I won't fight with you, I won't do anything with you, a very very unique one country. Look, UK now is also, other countries' cars all drive on the right, UK precisely drives on the left; EU all use Euro, UK does not use, precisely wants to use Pound. Very independent and eccentric, considering itself the boss. Therefore, he adopted what policy? To protect his own country's automotive brand, he adopted a policy called High Tariff. That is, all import cars from other countries, if they want to import to UK, the tariff was quite high. Basically, same level, same level car models, compared to his Rover, at least 3 times more expensive. So this other country, for example, Italy's Fiat, for example, Peugeot.
For example, Mercedes-Benz, what Audi, wanting to import to UK that is not possible. He doing this, just like we told before, just like doting a child, doting like killing a child, doted out of control. For years let Rover cars be at a stage of not enterprising. At the same time, manufacturing costs remained high, car model prices were relatively high, this is very dangerous. Of course, precisely due to this high tariff policy, it just let the Rover brand directly become the UK's number one automotive brand. After WWII, Rover's car model development reached a peak, among them the P5 model is the typical representative. UK Queen Elizabeth II herself owned an Arden Green Rover P5B Saloon. License plate number is JGY 280. This car currently is still exhibited at the Traditional Automotive Center in Gaydon, Warwickshire. It is the official car formally used by the UK Queen.
Approximately in the early 1940s, he started to get involved in this off-road car. He invented a car model called Land Rover. Everyone can know this name. This is Land Rover. Land Rover actually at first was not a brand; it just was Rover's one car model only. It started from that time. Reached approximately 1960s, approximately 1960s, before 1970, at that time International politics, including International economy, happened very big changes.
UK forced to cancel more than 100 categories of imported goods' high tariffs, among them contained automotive parts related categories. Under long-term policy protection, Rover cars, on one hand technology and product power lagged behind. On the other hand, cost remained high, price had no advantage. After tariffs cancelled, Germany, Italy, France finished cars and parts all rushed into UK market. Rover almost hit with no strength to fight back. Finally, this old brand quickly walked towards extinction.
It just couldn't go on. Approximately reached 1967. For huddle together for warmth, just like we told Audi at that time was same. Germany's at that time economy due to post-war was also like this. For integrating resources, at the same time lower manufacturing cost, share R&D funds. Everyone got together to establish a group. This group was very famous, called Leyland Motor Group. This Leyland Motor Group it contained under it multiple brands. I'll give you a straighten out. Have we relatively familiar MG.
Including Rover itself. Including Land Rover. Including Jaguar. Including a may not very familiar one UK old brand automotive brand called Austin. But even if established this group, although ideas very beautiful, reality was very cruel. At establishment occupying UK car market about 40% share of UK Leyland, finally was unable to compete with Germany and Japan automotive enterprises. Gradually walked towards decline. First say technology. How can you compare? You also cannot catch up with Germany's technology. In that year back then, this car's price you didn't match Japanese cars cheap. Because Toyota good, Honda also good. They all adopt Lean Production. We previously told Toyota, including Honda, will greatly reduce its production efficiency. That is to say, same one level, Honda Toyota cars are very cheap. And quality including reliability at all not bad. So, under Germany and Japan automotive industry's impact, UK Leyland Motor Group (Rover belongs to that group) finally in 1975 was taken over by UK Government to state-owned. At that time, enterprise operation hard to sustain. Already fallen into privatization would bankruptcy situation. Reached 1977. For save fallen into dilemma Leyland company. Under Sir Michael Edwardes leadership. Leyland Group's under its umbrella Rover started to carry out cooperation with Japanese Honda. In UK local produce Honda cars. Although Japan also was a island country. With UK is the same. At that time UK fundamentally looked down on Japan.
You although both with me are island countries. You East Asian a nation. You with me British Empire fundamentally cannot compare. But 1970s when. He had to put down his noble posture. With Honda cooperate. Honda indeed also want to help him. Give him not few technology. And help him push not few car models. But rotten wood cannot be carved. This Leyland Group's under its umbrella car model brands all went bankrupt. Finally just left a few. For example Rover, Land Rover and Jaguar. Also MG ah. Finally Leyland Group rename.
Changed to Rover Automotive Group. Approximately was in 1980s. This Rover Group again announced bankrupt. This enterprise loss serious. Already hard to sustain. UK Government also powerless to support. Finally in 1988 was by British Aerospace acquired. But you think. A make aviation enterprise, no make car experience. It nothing much technology help Rover to go improve. Enhance. So finally walked end road. Approximately in 1994 when. Rover this brand was BMW acquired.
BMW at that time thought very well. At that time Rover how say also dead camel than big horse. 1994 year. BMW brand influence far less than today. According to that year open operation data. BMW at that time own employee about 109,000 people. Car year output exceed 530,000 units. Sales total reached 42.1 billion Marks. Already was listed Global 12 largest transportation tool group. Output value ranked All Europe 7th place enterprise. In Germany luxury car market already possessed solid status. Just with current scale and influence compared still quite big gap. At that time BMW by family nature enterprise dominate management. And with that time Porsche's enterprise nature similar. Overall scale in Germany automotive industry did not count as top. BMW acquire Rover's purpose is to improve his brand influence. Because Rover back then had what? Back then had Land Rover. Back then had Jaguar. So this is BMW relatively value. With Rover cooperate after launched a car model.
This car model called Rover 75. I believe Everyone have seen this car. Although Our China doesn't call this name. China calls Roewe 750. With Rover 75 appearance is the same. Almost 100% is the same. Interior is also the same. Cigar-style's body shape. That is 1994 BMW help Rover to push out. So but BMW at that time its economic power including R&D level also didn't give Rover company increase much. Always not making money. Because this brand already fallen so many years. From start.
This UK Government protection all the way to now all six or seven decades. Not one day two days matter. So BMW also had no solution. BMW just said forget it. I acquired you originally was for making money. So always dragging on also not feasible. Simply sell calculated. However BMW at that time quite clever. BMW at that time no SUV. Do you know? BMW fundamentally wouldn't make four-wheel drive car. BMW cars all were rear-wheel drive. But Rover under its umbrella has Land Rover. So BMW holding Land Rover this period. Just Land Rover four-wheel drive ah not few technology ah all learn over. So look now BMW X5, X6. BMW four-wheel drive cars. Many functions. Even naming with Land Rover same. Actually is from Land Rover there learn. Copied. So BMW clever just clever at here. He 94 year acquire after Rover. 1999 year. BMW just launched its own brand first SUV. Which is everyone knows BMW X5 (Internal code E53). Officially launched. This is also BMW first SAV (Sports Utility Vehicle). X5 launched after. BMW look. Land Rover technology about all squeezed dry. Nothing good learn. Just plan to Land Rover to. To who? Sell to Ford Company. Ford at that time also was in a climbing up stage. Also wanted some technology. To be honest Ford also did not have four-wheel drive technology. Ford's cars either front drive. Or rear drive. No four-wheel drive cars. So Ford look want sell Land Rover. That he also wants four-wheel drive technology well well learn. Put out its own four-wheel drive car.
Finally Ford acquired Land Rover. At that time Ford wanted together acquire Rover trademark. BMW yet refused. BMW said this first cannot sell you. I this Land Rover can sell you. But trademark cannot sell you. Because this trademark is quite valuable. Seven or eight decades price not negotiated tight. But this Ford and BMW finally signed a agreement. What agreement? Just said you this Rover trademark you want sell that day I must prior buy. I have this right. You cannot sell others. BMW also agreed. This contract also signed. Time approximately came to last century 90 decade end to 2000 year around. At that time who stepped on stage? We Chinese stepped on stage.
Although Rover already made this bear state. Already in Europe cannot be attacked. Already fallen to this state. But with China this car manufacturing industry compare. It is very leading. So that time. For example Huachen. Geely. SAIC. Nanjing Automobile competing to think acquire Rover. It want to sell mainly later finally let SAIC took it. SAIC this funds quite rich. Took it. But SAIC cannot produce Rover brand cars. Why? Just we just now told Ford Company has prior buy Rover brand trademark right. So. Ford look SAIC acquired. Directly nothing talk. I directly trademark bought. Directly bought. So SAIC cannot produce Rover brand. What do? Come up a name. Come up what name? Call SAIC Roewe. Up to here this 100 plus years brand. Rover brand started Game over. So Rover brand it whole life actually is car. UK automotive history a microcosm. Once shone over. Also reached industry peak. Without go through this history test. Big waves washing sand. Victor King. Remain not victory's win. Is remaining's remain.
Experience so many years. Look one We now UK car brands how much still in UK? How much already by people acquired? I give you see now BMW under own three major brands. Except BMW brand itself. Also includes MINI and Rolls-Royce. Among them Rolls-Royce is derived from UK automotive brand. According to Rolls-Royce official revealed information. Rolls-Royce Automotive Co., Ltd. is BMW Group wholly owned subsidiary. Currently Its global production base established in UK West Sussex County Chichester near Goodwood. Indeed belongs to BMW Group held. UK's Bentley belong to who? Bentley now belongs to German Volkswagen Group. And Jaguar and Land Rover all belong to Indian Tata Group under Jaguar Land Rover Company own. Domestic have Chery with Jaguar Land Rover joint venture project. That is Chery Jaguar Land Rover. Right? UK legendary sports brand Lotus was by who acquired? By Malaysia this Proton Group acquired. Put out a car called Youth Lotus. Right? That thing is deceptive. With that UK Lotus point relationship have no. That thing in Malaysia is very cheap. Sold with us China Chery that price about same. In terms of RMB five or six thousand yuan one to. China import sell fourteen five thousand. But this two years come lost. Look Lotus that thing. Malaysia Proton Company originally thought.
Muddy water fishing earn one sum. Right? Lotus. But unexpectedly Chinese know cars. He came late. If were early come. 2003 or 2004 year come. That still not sure. That maybe just can fool China people. That time one look you this what thing ah. Another thing Lotus brand also is not very famous. Also a by people acquired brand. So finally is MG was by We SAIC Group hold. The above is taking Rover representing UK automotive industry development simple process. That We next episode. Chat many car owner interested Jaguar brand history. I will also give everyone tell tell Jaguar this brand. Including car models some disadvantages. Some shortcomings. I know Everyone very like. Willing listen Jie tell some product shortcomings. Because Product advantages. We in various media. Magazines. Radio. And various websites. Search basically good words. Right? You basically search not pleasant. I this person special tell not pleasant. Okay. We next period Goodbye.
