Tata Motors on Sunday launched Jaguar and Land Rover in India, the marquee brands it bought from Ford Motors last year. The company did not divulge the number of cars that it plan to sell in India, but it said major cities would be targeted in the next two years. The premium cars are in the range of Rs 63 lakhs to Rs 92 lakhs.

Jaguar will launch the XF and XK range of luxury coupes and convertibles, while Land Rover will roll out three vehicles including the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery 3. Mr Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Motors, said: “Though the Tata Motors’ network will be utilised for selling the JLR brands, the separate identity of both the brands — JLR and Tata Motors would be maintained and it would not be mixed up.”

Explaining the status of the negotiations between Tata Motors and the UK government, Mr Tata said that the representation of the UK government in the management of the JLR would depend upon the size of the bailout package that it offers to the company. “If the UK government gives a large financial package, it would have representation in the management of JLR,” he added.

Addressing the media after launching the JLR brands in India Mr Tata has defended the acquisition of JLR. “The buyout of Jaguar and Land Rover was a terrific decision. The global downturn caused a big concern but I hope that we will be able to bring back the glory that the luxury brands enjoyed in 2007 and the first half of 2008. For that we need the funds for which we are trying very hard.” Elaborating JLR’s plan for India, Mr David Smith, the CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover, said: “These brands have done well in Russia, Brazil and China and we hope that in India also we will get a good response. In India the premium car segment is small but it’s a niche segment. Though, we have launched the brands in Mumbai on Sunday we will be expanding our network in all major cities in India.”

According to an auto analyst, “In the first few years JLR may not generate big volumes but it will help these brands to show their presence in the Indian market. In the next few years India is expected to become big market for the premium cars.”