Ford's Jaguar, Land Rover Units to Combine U.S. Dealerships

DETROIT The AP reported that Ford Motor's Jaguar and Land Rover units will consolidate their U.S. dealerships in an effort to compete more effectively with other luxury brands.

Simon Sprole, a spokesman for Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, said the company plans to combine about 150 Jaguar and about 140 Land Rover dealers and expand into more U.S. markets.

``We have quite a strong portfolio to go to war with Lexus and Mercedes, but we need a stronger and wider dealer network,'' Sprole said. ``A lot of times we aren't on people's shopping list because we don't have a store where they live.''

Ford brought its three British brands together last fall and is introducing common warranty systems and other services for their customers. About 30 percent of the Land Rover and Jaguar dealerships are already combined.

Dealers will not be forced to consolidate and the company will not offer any direct financial incentives. But Sprole said the company expects most dealers will be eager to bring more luxury brands to their lots.