Should Jaguar get a bailout?

[Gromit]

Ailing car firm Jaguar wants a Government bailout.

Sales are down for the luxury car maker that employs 15,000 in the UK.

The company was sold by Ford earlier this year for �1billion. The carmakers new owners now want the Government to underwrite �1 billion in loans to see it through the recession.

Should the taxpayer prop up this company?
or
Should it be allowed to go out of business along with all the jobs?

[Gromit]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7789055.st m

[BIG DAD]

why help jaguar and let woolworths go down the pan?

[anotheoldgit]

Let India pay.

[youngmafbog]

India has drained this country of many jobs, constantly undercutting local labour workforces. Mark my words as soon as they possibly can much of Jaguar would end up in India, UK would probably just bolt on the wheels to get a made in UK claim.

So a resounding NO. They must sink or swim with the rest.

[Kathyan]

I wondered why they were going to help Jaguar but not Woolworths. My daughter said the same thing. What is it with this Government that they would rather give our money away to other countries rather than helping us?

[Oneeyedvic]

A lot of the problems that we are facing as a country is because we don't have a manufacturing industry - just a service based economy.

There is a vast difference between the two (and therefore between Woolworths and Jaguar)

[scotstone]

How can this government, with its constant attacks on the British car owner by punitive and retrospective taxes, have the gall to prop up these two manufacturers of gas guzzlers. This is an ideal opportunity to kow-tow to those pushing the climate change propaganda and get rid of these planet destroyers or is it ok for foreigners to pollute the world in the name of exports but not the 1% who live in the UK.

[rov1200]

Definately not! It's like pouring money into a black hole. High powered soup up cars should be consigned to history.

As a positive answer instead of ploughing money into company coffers why don't the government make it a consumer led recovery. All right we have had the 2% VAT rate cut and some minor excise tax on cars reduced but why not consider a huge trade in price for a green friendly car. The French did it last year and that was before the recession.

http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Bonus-Malus-Franc e-encourages.html

[cazzz1975]

I think tata will up and move production to india if they dont get the bailout

[sandmaster]

We should help those industries which show they are themselves willing to invest and work towards success. Jaguar is not a shining example. We cannot help every failing company.

[Gromit]

rov1200

And are British manufacturers building green cars? It wouldn't help our economy much if everyone traded their cars in for Foriegn ones.

Here is a list of the top Green cars on sale in the UK. Non are made here.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/consumer/caring/a rticle.html?in_article_id=422883&in_page_id=51 1

[rov1200]

The British motor car industry is said to employ 1 million workers directly or indirectly. Also our cheap pound should encourage more engineering firms to expand or start up.

Conditions could be applied so that our European partners benefit most as free trade around the world is not in evidence. I suppose the US bailout is not for others outside its own borders to benefit so there is going to be a lot of protectionism about to take place.

[anotheoldgit]

If Brown does intend to bail Jaguar out, (and let's face it one can bet that is one reason he has recently been to India.) then instead of just handing the money over, he should first insist on an agreement being drawn up that insures that the company stays in this country for a quite a number of years.

[andy-hughes]

I listened to a professional ecconomist who advised that India went into the deal with its eyes open, and should suffer the market forces of the downturn like everyone else. Where do we draw the line?

Speakng as someone from Stoke who has, over the last twenty-five years, watched the entire pottery industry, one of the biggest Micheln factories in the UK, and a major steel production plant all vanish without a peep from the media or the government, i find it hard to put my sympathies with a luxury car company owned by foreign investors bleating about loosing money.

The job losses are, of course, a different matter, but there has to be a limit placed on the 'bail-out' philosophy before the economy collapses beyond repair.

[tufty7]

I think if Ford could not make it pay then the Indians Tata corporation have brought a lame duck, As much as i would like to see a Jaguar or a Range Rover on my drive it is highly unlikely , It is best preserved for the rich and famous, So market forces should prevail and they should either get into a market that will secure them or continue to pour money down the drain ......(if that is whats is really happening)