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Editor : Mark Charles |
January 19 2009 Jaguar
plant stopped for two weeks Jaguar
Land Rover on Monday confirmed local media reports it had halted production at
its main car plant in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, for two weeks. A spokesman
said the move had been announced to workers last week and had been "circulated
externally" by mid-week. | January
14 2009 Jaguar
Land Rover to axe 450 more jobs
Jaguar
Land Rover is to axe 450 jobs due to what a statement from the company has called
a "severe" reduction in demand for new cars. On top of the cuts it was
also revealed that managers from the group will not receive any bonuses in 2009. The
UK-based carmaker, which is owned by the Indian group Tata, said the job losses
will be spread between management roles and salaried agency staff. In
all 300 management roles will go and 150 agency staff. Furthermore, any remaining
management pay increases have been deferred to the beginning of October this year
at the earliest. Jaguar
Land Rover's CEO David Smith said: "It is only right and proper that our
response to the unavoidable impact of the credit crunch and a severe reduction
in demand includes actions across all grades and functions in the company. We
don't expect sales conditions to return to normal levels for some time." Jaguar
Land Rover was bought by Tata from Ford for GBP1.7bn last year. In
December last year, it was reported that Tata had agreed to inject "10s of
millions" of pounds into Jaguar Land Rover to prevent an immediate cash flow
crisis while the UK government continued to consider the case for a taxpayer-funded
bailout. Last November,
the firm sacked 850 agency IT and engineering staff. | January
12 2009 NEW SUPERCHARGED
XF IS OFFICIALLY THE FASTEST JAGUAR EVER AT 225MPH
Jaguar
today announces that during a secret speed trial at the legendary Bonneville Salt
Flats in Utah, an XFR prototype recorded a stunning top speed of 225.675mph (363.188km/h),
making it the fastest Jaguar ever. The
car - powered by the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engine - beat Jaguar's previous speed
record of 217.1mph (349.4 km/h) set in the XJ220 in 1992.* Paul Gentilozzi – the
owner of Rocketsports Racing who successfully led the Jaguar XKR to five series
victories between 2001 and 2006 in the Trans Am series in the USA - drove the
car on the record-breaking run. Running
with minor aerodynamic and safety modifications to meet the requirements for a
Bonneville run, the 225mph top speed was achieved with additional horsepower liberated
by a remapped ECU, a modified air intake and exhaust system and revised supercharger
settings. No internal engine components were changed and the six-speed automatic
transmission was standard, including the gear ratios. more... | January
11 2009 Government-JLR
aid talks restart TALKS
will resume this week between Tata and the UK government, over state aid for Jaguar
Land Rover. The Indian
car maker has recruited American bank CitiGroup to advise it, reported The Sunday
Times. Tata is
seeking a short-term bridging loan from the government. This will help it with
cashflow problems caused by a collapse in new car sales. Insiders at the company
say the government is ‘close’ to approving a £500 million bridging loan.
However, government insiders disagree, saying the company does not urgently need
cash. Experts
say a solution will not be found quickly – despite Tata’s recruitment of Citigroup.
However, the chief of Tata says the government should provide support, like other
European governments have done. The
German government has pledged a loan of £1.6 billion to Opel (Vauxhall in
the UK), and is considering a similar loan to Ford. The Swedish government is
considering aid to Saab and Volvo, too. In
separate news, business secretary Lord Mandleson could commit to an extension
of the pre-budget report’s special liquidity scheme this week. He will address
a motor industry summit in Brussels on Friday, where an announcement is expected.
It will give car makers
access to finance, helping them fund loans for new car buyers. A
further announcement could come on Wednesday. The Sunday Times reports that Mandleson
will give evidence to the Commons business committee, on the state of the car
industry. | January
9 2009 Loans,
not bailout, for JLR JAGUAR Land Rover is not after a bailout from the taxpayer,
but loans - to help it get through the credit crunch.
Jaguar MD David Smith said the company is struggling simply through the shortage
of short-term finance. He
therefore wants the Government to provide short-term loans or loan guarantees.
This will give it the cash required to progress through the current economic downturn. Such
loans have already been discussed, it is said. Jaguar Land Rover could receive
£1 billion in commercial loans or Government loan guarantees. It
is the collapse in financial and consumer confidence that is the root cause of
the current recession, says Smith. The paper says he pinpoints Lehman Brothers
going under as the tipping point. ‘We,
our suppliers and our dealers are all suffering from cash problems,’ he said,
‘essentially because the banks aren’t lending properly to the sector. ‘So,
we have said either we need to find ways to free up commercial lending, or the
state may have to put loan guarantees in place to allow some of that lending to
flow.’ Significantly,
dealers would benefit. JLR had asked for car dealers to be included in any package.
These funds would be used to help potential customers raise the money needed to
buy a new car. ‘Again,
that is something we have seen in other countries, but which the UK Government
hasn’t so far done.’ Smith
revealed that JLR had quickly cut production. By the end of 2008, factories were
running at half the level they were at the start. ‘That
will continue probably through Easter, as we adjust inventories to demand.’ But
dealers can expect more economical cars in the future. Smith said that Jaguar
turns over £7 billion. This is a bit less than Marks & Spencer’s – but
JLR is spending 4 times what M&S does on environmental innovation. | January
8 2009 Jaguar
sales UP in 2008 JAGUAR dealers received a welcome boost during 2008, by recording
increased UK sales of over 8 per cent. The
brand sold over 65,000 cars, making it one of just 4 representative car makers
to end the year with a positive sales increase. It
was the XF that helped drive this sales boost. It has ‘attracted a huge number
of new customers to Jaguar,’ said company MD Mike O’Driscoll. This
has been enhanced for 2009, too, with the introduction of the 3.0-litre, high-power
XF S diesel. We’ve started 2009 with… a new diesel for the XF that offers a marked
improvement in CO2 and fuel economy performance,’ said O’Driscoll. The
MD also underlined the £400 million Jaguar Land Rover invests in research
and development. This will help bring greener cars to market in the future, helping
Jaguar dealers meet the changing needs of customers. Export
sales are also aiding the Jaguar brand’s revenue streams. ‘Our cars are sold in
more than 60 countries around the world and we’re proud of our success as a major
exporter – our sales were up by more than 50% in Russia, 35% higher in the Middle
East, and 25% better in China.. ‘There’s
no doubt that 2009 will be challenging for the entire automotive industry, but
we believe the new generation of intelligently designed, technically advanced
Jaguars represent the very best sporting cars on the road today.’ | January
7 2009 JAGUAR RECORDS ANNUAL SALES BOOST IN 2008 Jaguar finished 2008 with
sales of more than 65,000 cars – an increase of 8% over 2007 and one of only a
handful of automotive brands to report a year-on-year sales increase. Commenting
on the company's performance, Mike O'Driscoll, Jaguar's Managing Director, said:
"Despite the challenging economic conditions, Jaguar made great progress
last year. We introduced the all-new, award-winning Jaguar XF – voted 'Car of
the Year' by two major UK magazines, and winner of more than 30 commendations
around the world – which has attracted a huge number of new customers to Jaguar. "The
XF underlines the progress we've made in developing exciting sporting cars that
capture the hearts of driving enthusiasts the world over. Our cars are sold in
more than 60 countries around the world and we're proud of our success as a major
exporter – our sales were up by more than 50% in Russia, 35% higher in the Middle
East, and 25% better in China. "We've
started 2009 with the introduction of advanced new generation petrol and diesel
engines that set new benchmarks in terms of power, economy and efficiency, including
a new diesel for the XF that offers a marked improvement in CO2 and fuel economy
performance. Our cars meet the challenges of the modern world and the needs of
today's consumers – and they're also true to the Jaguar philosophy of creating
beautiful fast cars. "Together
with Land Rover, Jaguar invests more than £400m on research and development.
At a corporate level, we've committed more than £800m specifically to the
research and development of new environmental technologies. Our investment in
recent years has helped us bring cars to market that are bucking the downward
trend." Mike
O'Driscoll concluded: "There's no doubt that 2009 will be challenging for
the entire automotive industry, but we believe the new generation of intelligently
designed, technically advanced Jaguars represent the very best sporting cars on
the road today." | December
29 2008 THE NEW JAGUAR XF DIESEL S
 “The
new XF V6 Diesel S – combining superb performance and excellent fuel economy -
sets the pace with acceleration from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, a maximum speed of
155mph, yet delivers an average fuel consumption of 42mpg and CO2 emissions of
179g/km: Truly the best of both worlds!” Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director,
Jaguar Cars THE
NEW XF DIESEL S – In Brief • The most advanced, powerful and efficient Jaguar
diesel ever • New 275PS high-performance XF Diesel S featuring Jaguar’s new
AJ-V6D Gen III S 3.0-litre diesel engine delivers a massive 600Nm of torque •
0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds, 50-70mph in just 3.2 seconds, a maximum speed of
155mph and yet combined fuel economy of just 42.0mpg – 12 percent better than
the acclaimed 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine • Emits just 179g/km – a 10 percent
reduction in CO2. Conforms to EU5 emission regulations using conventional exhaust
after-treatment • 33 percent more powerful and 61 percent more torque from
1500rpm than the 2.7-litre V6 diesel “With
CO2 emissions of 179g/km, 42mpg average fuel economy and 0-60mph acceleration
in 5.9 seconds, this is another great example of Jaguar delivering unrivalled
performance while at the same time taking the level of refinement in diesel engines
to a whole new level.” Mick Mohan, Jaguar Programmes Director When
it was introduced last year, the XF was recognised as a dramatic expression of
a bold new Jaguar design language. It also soon became apparent that here was
a car where the driving experience exceeded the expectations created by the striking
appearance. Now, the new XF Diesel S takes this driving experience to new levels,
shifting the balance even further towards dynamic performance while still retaining
the XF’s core values as a refined and luxurious sports saloon. more... | December
18 2008 Tata cash
injection gives JLR 'breathing space'
Tata
has agreed to inject "tens of millions" of pounds into Jaguar Land Rover
to prevent an immediate cash flow crisis while the UK government continues to
consider the case for a taxpayer-funded bailout. | December
18 2008 Officials
tight-lipped on JLR bailout talks Tata
Group's Jaguar Land Rover and the UK's Department for Business, Enterprise and
Regulatory Reform have refused to comment on media reports they are in secret
talks over a GBP1bn (about US$1.5bn) bailout. | December
16 2008 Jaguar
will break with tradition next year when it launches its first diesel sports car.
It’s
only a couple of years since the Midlands firm introduced its first oil-burner,
but so far they’ve been reserved for its saloons and estates. Not any more. The
rejigged XK range, due to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January, will
be spearheaded by a new diesel model.
It’s
a prescient move; even buyers spending £60k on a sports car aren’t immune
from the ravages of the economic downfall and swingeing attacks on high-CO2 vehicles.
Visual changes to the
XK will be minor enough. There’s not much you can do to improve on Jag’s coupé
and convertible, after all. Expect some tidying-up of the styling, with design
flourishes borrowed from the XKR-S special edition. Bigger
news lies under the bonnet, where the old 4.2 V8 is finally pensioned off. In
its place comes a new 5.0-litre V8, complete with direct injection for greater
power and greener consumption. But the big news is the arrival of a 3.0-litre
V6 turbo-diesel. The
3.0 TD is an evolution of the 2.7 derv from today’s XJ and XF. The increase in
cubic capacity should give the sports cars a real boost in performance – while
trimming CO2 emissions to less than 200g/km. Impressive for a top-end sports car.
If the diesel’s not for you, don’t worry – the 5.0 V8 will develop 400bhp or,
with the R-spec supercharger, 500bhp for red-hot performance. | November
27 2008 JLR cuts
850 agency workers
Around
850 agency workers are to lose their jobs at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The
workers - IT and engineering staff - have been told their jobs will go by the
end of the year. The
firm said global car market conditions were severe and "it had to take responsible
and rapid action for the challenging environment it faces". It
has previously announced that 600 jobs would go in a voluntary redundancy scheme
and is said to be lobbying the UK government for a large bridging loan to help
it through a tough period. | November
25 2008 Jag’s
XF Coupé gets ready to roar This
is Jaguar’s new super coupé – a two-door sports car poised to take the
Big Cat into uncharted territory by locking horns with the Audi A5 and BMW 3-Series
Coupé. Expanding
the highly successful XF range, the new coupé will combine striking looks
with real driver appeal by adding a dramatic body to the saloon’s sporty underpinnings.
The XF Coupé
is a key part of a new model strategy by Jaguar’s parent company, Tata. The raft
of sporty machines will include the model you see here, as well as a drop-top
Roadster version and a two-seater rival to the Porsche Boxster. While
the two-seater is still some way from showrooms, both the Coupé and Roadster
go on sale here in 2010 – and they promise to give other prestige firms some tough
competition. As
you can see the head-turning XF Coupé could do for Jaguar what the TT did
for Audi. Taking much of its inspiration from design boss Ian Callum’s original
C-XF concept car, it boasts a bold metal grille, piercing LED headlights and raised
bonnet bulge, which hints at the power that lies beneath. more... | November
24 2008 Jaguar
#1 in sales process survey
Jaguar
North America has voiced delight that it has achieved a number one ranking in
the JD Power and Associates 2008 Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study. "I
am delighted that Jaguar has reclaimed the number one ranking in the JD Power
and Associates 2008 Sales Satisfaction Index Study," said Mike O'Driscoll,
managing director of Jaguar Cars. "Our
simultaneous number one ranking in J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction
Index and Sales Satisfaction Index studies reflects the dedication that everyone
at Jaguar shares in delivering outstanding customer service." "To
set the benchmark for four of the past five years in the J.D. Power and Associates
Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study(SM) and to rank number one for two consecutive
years in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index (CSI) Study(SM)
reaffirms the passion of our employees and reflects the tremendous standards that
our dealers consistently achieve," comments Gary Temple, president Jaguar
Land Rover North America, LLC. The
Study, now in its 22nd year, is a comprehensive analysis of the new-vehicle purchase
experience and is based on responses from 35,805 new-vehicle buyers who registered
their vehicles in May 2008. Overall customer satisfaction is measured based on
five factors: dealership facility, salesperson, paperwork/finance process, delivery
process and vehicle price. | November
24 2008 JLR seeks
big government loan
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is reportedly pressing the
UK government for a GBP1bn loan to help it through the industry downturn.
The Tata-owned company wants to borrow the cash for two years, according to
reports in the British media. While the company's latest model, the Jaguar
XF, has been favourably received, the company is facing cash-flow problems as
a result of declining markets. Production schedules have already been scaled back
as a result. Access to finance is emerging as a growing issue for firms
in Britain as result of the problems still impacting the financial sector and
the banks' general reluctance to offer credit to businesses. JLR's parent
borrowed heavily to finance the JLR purchase and is likely to favour JLR trying
for low-cost finance from the British government. Last week, the UK auto
industry trade association SMMT, called on the British government to help the
auto industry with a number of measures. | November
20 2008 Jaguar’s
green light for XF roadster This
is how the big cat’s new litter will shape up, starting with a two-door cabriolet
version of the hugely successful XF saloon.
The
XF Roadster will employ a folding fabric roof, along with a slightly shortened
wheelbase to improve structural rigidity, while maintaining the saloon’s handsome
profile. Bosses will ensure there is a significant cost differential, so that
the new model doesn’t poach sales from the XK Cabriolet. As a result, prices are
set to start at around the £35,000 mark. But
that’s not the only XF variant which has been earmarked for production: a two-door
Coupé is also on the way. Designed to lock horns with Audi’s curvy A5,
it will add even more style to the XF’s taut bodyshape with a tapered roof and
high waistline. This, too, will be pitched below the XK in the £30,000 bracket.
Both models are expected to borrow engines from the XF saloon. more... |
November 10 2008 JLR
cuts to the Chase for US finance Jaguar
Land Rover has selected Chase as its exclusive auto finance provider in the US,
offering a full range of financial services to vehicle buyers and dealers. The
agreement with Chase, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co, will replace the arrangement
with Ford, whose financial arm provided support during the US automaker's ownership
of Jaguar Land Rover. Chase
will take on all Jaguar Land Rover's consumer financing activities in the US from
1 January 2009. Chase
was chosen because of its long established presence in the market and its relationship
with the Jaguar and Land Rover networks, JLR said. The
identification and confirmation of a set of new financial partners were key elements
of JLR's sale earlier this year to Tata Motors. The
process was completed in Europe earlier this year with the appointment of Fiat
Group Automobiles Financial Services (FGAFS), a 50%-50% joint venture between
the bank, Crédit Agricole Group and Fiat Group Automobiles. | November
5 2008 More to
leave as JLR readies for "tough year" Jaguar
Land Rover (JLR) has called for a further 300-400 voluntary redundancies across
its UK manufacturing sites as it looks ahead to a "very tough" 2009. | September
26 2008 Jaguar
to halt production for a week Production
at Jaguar's Halewood plant on Merseyside is to cease for a week at the end of
October on gloomier demand prospects. Falling
demand for new vehicles has already led to a recent series of non-production days
at Halewood and at the company's West Midlands plants of Castle Bromwich and Solihull
(Land Rover). Workers won't lose pay and will be given other tasks to perform. A
Jaguar spokesman told just-auto: "The halt in production is to try to match
production to demand." | August
27 2008 Jaguar
success at Moscow show As
automotive boom time continues, Russia becomes the land of milk and honey for
car salesmen. Many earned huge bonuses as they raked up record sales in the last
year or so. Among
them are Jaguar dealers who are presently clocking up bumper business. They sold
1,000 new luxury cars in 2007 and that has already doubled in 2008 as interest
in the brand increases. Already
the Big Cat has reported that over 500 of its latest XF have been snapped up. | July
28 2008 Daimler
could be revived as stand-alone brand
Jaguar
and Land Rover's new Indian owner has told investors he is considering reviving
the famous Daimler brand once favoured by Britain's royal family. Daimler
was once synonymous with bespoke luxury limousines that conveyed royalty and prime
ministers but, since the 1960s, the brand has largely been used for rebadged or
more luxurious versions of Jaguar models. The
Times newspaper reported that Tata conglomerate head Ratan Tata said GBP1bn had
earmarked been to develop new models for the British-based automakers it bought
recently from Ford for $US2.3bn and "it is suggested that the company wants
to transform Daimler into a super-luxury marque to compete directly with Bentley
and Rolls-Royce". The target market is wealthy buyers in Britain (where many
wealthy foreign business people have homes), Asia, Russia and the Middle East.
more... | June
13 2008 Jaguar
Land Rover joins ACEA The
general assembly of ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association,
has accepted the application of Jaguar Land_Rover - newly bought by Tata Motors
- to become a member from July 2008. "We
welcome Jaguar Land Rover in our midst and are convinced the company will make
a valuable contribution to the work of our association", said Ivan Hodac,
secretary general of ACEA. "We
are looking forward to working in close partnership with the European automobile
manufacturers concerning regulatory and other issues confronting our industry",
said David Smith, the newly-appointed CEO of Jaguar Land Rover. "As the UK's
largest automotive employer, joining the European automotive association was an
important step." | June
2 2008 Jaguar
Land Rover names new CEO as deal completes
Tata
Motors has completed its US$2.3bn purchase of Jaguar Land Rover [JLR] from Ford
in an all-cash transaction, contributing about $600m to the JLR pension plans,
and named a new CEO for the unit. Current
acting CEO David Smith has been confirmed in the role and replaces Australian
Geoff Polites who died recently. Smith has 25 years of experience with JLR (most
recently as CFO) and Ford. Before his recent return, he was director of finance
and business strategy for PAG and Ford of Europe. Smith
said: "We are very pleased with the association with Tata Motors. We look
forward to a sustained bright future for the company and its stakeholders."
more... | May
28 2008 Tata plans
rights issue to fund Jaguar buy
Tata
Motors has said it would raise up to US$1.7bn through three simultaneous rights
issues of various securities to help fund its purchase of the Jaguar and Land_Rover
brands, which it expects to close by June. According
to Reuters, Tata said it would then raise $500-$600 million by way of issuing
securities in foreign markets, as previously planned, and was considering various
options including the Tokyo Exchange. The
funds would be mainly used for the $2.3 billion purchase of the Jaguar and Land
Rover brands from Ford, which is being done through a wholly owned UK subsidiary,
the report added. more... | May
22 2008 1960 Jaguar
'E2A' to Star in Bonhams & Butterfields' Quail Lodge Sale in August The
legendary sports-racing prototype that shaped Jaguar's future The
unique and celebrated prototype Jaguar 'E2A,' as driven by no fewer than four
of the world's greatest racing drivers, is to be offered for the first time at
auction, headlining Bonhams & Butterfields' annual Quail Lodge sale, in California,
on 15 August 2008. Presented
in wonderfully original and unspoiled ex-works condition, this unique and immensely
important British sports-racing legend has been lovingly preserved in just one
family's ownership for over 40-years and - extraordinarily - it is in effect a
one-owner car ex-works. more... | May
15 2008 Jaguar
F-Type - British firm set to build cut-price Ferrari California. It
seems Ferrari isn’t going to have it all its own way, as Jaguar is also getting
ready to launch a stunning GT. Called
the F-Type, the stylish Brit is set to offer a similar driving experience to the
California, but at a much lower price. When it arrives in showrooms in 2012, it
will sit at the top of the brand’s sports car range – and be the first big cat
in many years to get close to capturing the spirit of the E-Type from the Sixties. The
newcomer takes much of its styling inspiration from the XF, the car which debuted
Jaguar chief stylist Ian Callum’s view for the future of the brand. It’s based
on a shortened version of the lightweight aluminium chassis from the new XJ, which
arrives in 2010. The F-Type will target Porsche’s 911, Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage,
Audi's R8 and Ferrari's new California. more... | March
28 2008 Jaguar
aims for 100,000 under Tata management Jaguar's
near-term production future is forecast to climb back towards 100,000 cars under
Tata Motors' management, adding a gloss to the Indian company's take-over announced
earlier this week. Last
year Jag production dipped to a low of 54,000, partly because of the change-over
from S-type to XF, but also because of the continuing slow-selling X-type. In
2006, it made 70,000 cars. Forecasts
compiled by just-auto map out Jag's production future for its four main models
- the X-type, XF, XK and XJ - and foresee volume rising to a more sustainable
number closer to the magical 100,000 mark. Possible
new models in the Jag product plan, which await the green light from Tata, could
further lift this figure towards 150,000 by 2012/2013. more.... | February
26 2008 Jaguar
and Land Rover sale due next week
The
sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian vehicle manufacturer Tata is now expected
to be completed next week. Reuters is reporting sources close to the talks
as saying an announcement may come on March 5 or 6. Ford has not confirmed the
claim. Tata met
with bosses of trade union Unite last week, which has 12,000 members in the Jaguar
and Land Rover plants. | February
6 2008 Jaguar
may widen XF diesel line
Continuing
green pressure and rising fuel prices could force Jaguar into introducing a small-capacity
diesel engine in the new XF saloon in coming years. The
bulk of sales of Jag's competitors in the UK, the BMW 5-series and Audi A6, are
concentrated on two-litre diesels but Jag doesn't have an alternative to these
low-C02 models at launch. It
does offer circa-two-litre turbodiesels from a JV with parent Ford and PSA in
its smaller X-type line. "We
will just have to keep an eye on where the market is going and if customers start
demanding it, we will have to respond," said Jag product development chief
Mick Mohan. The
decision will also depend on how Jaguar sees its future brand image. It may prefer
to limit sales and concentrate on higher-output engines. more... | February
5 2008 Jaguar
runs model plans past Tata
Jaguar
is eyeing a significant expansion of its model range with at least three new models,
after its sell-off by Ford, most likely to Tata Motors of India. Executives
and engineers are eyeing a new GBP40,000 two-seat sports car, a two- door coupe
version of the XF saloon and most radically, a four-door version of the XK luxury
coupe. None of
the three models are officially signed off, but all three have been presented
to Tata Motors' management and will be key new programmes for the Indian automaker
to evaluate and decide whether to invest. Privately,
insiders favour the two-seat sports car, dubbed the F-type, as the highest priority.
It would be pitched against the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Boxster.
more... | January
31 2008 Ford may
not keep J-LR stake A
Ford agreement with Tata Motors to buy Jaguar and Land Rover could be announced
as early as next week and the US automaker may not keep a stake in the two British
firms, according to recent reports. | January
18 2008 NEW JAGUAR
XF WINS 'CAR OF THE YEAR' AT WHAT CAR? AWARDS 2008
Jaguar's
new XF has claimed top prize the highly respected 'Car of the Year' award
at the 2008 What Car? awards in London last night. The XF also took top
place in the 'Best Executive Car' category, ahead of the BMW 5 Series and the
Mercedes CLS. Steve
Fowler, group editor of What Car?, said: "For us, the XF goes straight in
there with the very best cars from Jaguar's past. And given that the car market
today is more competitive than it's ever been, it's fair to say the XF is the
best car Jaguar has ever built. "The
XF really does have it all a sensational exterior and dramatic interior
combined with a drive that will delight and pamper in equal measure. On top of
that, it stacks up as a sensible buying and owning proposition, too." Mike
O'Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, said: "All of us at Jaguar
are delighted that we've taken the top spot at these awards, and that What Car?
has named the new XF Car of the Year. It's especially gratifying as What Car?
has such a great reputation for representing the British consumer. Jaguar is creating
a new generation of cars that started with the XK, and now continues with the
all-new XF a four door, five passenger car that has the heart of a sports
car and the looks of a grand tourer. Like the XK, XF is visually striking and
thrilling to drive. "We're
very pleased with the reaction the car has received, and our customer order bank
is growing fast. We're grateful to What Car? for this wonderful award." more... | January
15 2008 Jaguar
has 7,000 XF orders Jaguar
has had 7,000 orders for the new XF which it started to ship to its global dealer
network last week. | January
14 2008 Jaguar-Land
Rover in profit The
new owners of Jaguar-Land Rover will take control of a business that's turned
its balance sheet around by USD1bn in the last twelve months. | January
3 2008 Tata preferred
bidder for Jaguar/Land Rover
Ford
has finally confirmed that Tata Motors is lead bidder for Jaguar and Land_Rover. Following
an announcement to employees this morning, the automaker on Thursday afternoon
said in a statement: "Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more
detailed level with Tata Motors concerning the potential sale of the combined
Jaguar Land Rover business." The
statement from Lewis Booth, who heads both Ford of Europe and the Premier Automotive
Group and chairs Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Ford of Europe, added: "There
is still a considerable amount of work to do, and while no final decision has
been made, we will proceed with further substantive discussions with Tata Motors
over the forthcoming weeks with a view to securing an agreement that is in the
best interests of all parties concerned." "We're
not going into any other detail on the process at all," Ford spokesman John
Gardiner in London said in response to a question on bid values. more... | December
14 2007 XF - First
impressions The
adoration bestowed on Fiat's new 500 proves that retro design can work, but it
hasn't done any favours for Jaguar in recent years as the sales figures will testify.
But expect that to change because the XF appears to have more in common with the
XK coupe than the S-Type. Out goes the retro styling, in comes a very modern take
on a Jaguar saloon from Ian Callum, the man behind the Jaguar XK and Aston DB7.
But the Jaguar cues are still there. There are echoes of the original 1968 XJ
in the grille and of the current XK around the headlights. In
fact it does share its suspension and paddle-shift operated automatic gearbox
with the XK and the more powerful versions share engines too. There are three
trim levels available: Luxury, Premium Luxury and SV8 and as before there's a
choice of petrol and diesel engines. Prices stretch from £33,900 to £54,900
making the XF more expensive than the S-Type but it is far better equipped. As
with the S-Type, only one body style is available: a four-door saloon. Although
estate versions of BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes' E-Class are popular in Europe
they don't sell well in the US where most XFs are bound. more... | December
12 2007 Jaguar
Land Rover plans new virtual reality centre Jaguar and Land_Rover plans
a new design facility with advanced audio visual technologies with the projection
power of eight cinemas to significantly speed up product development. About
$4m is to be invested in a so-called virtual reality centre which will allow engineers
and designers to see in life-size three-dimension models of vehicles and components,
reducing the need for physical prototypes. The
four-walled 'cave' will provide a virtual reality environment simulating vehicle
exteriors and interiors that is capable of making bodywork appear transparent. According
to the brands' product development chief Al Kammerer, the project will allow faster
development of new vehicles and quicker response to customer trends. Eight
Sony high resolution projectors will provide a visual quality claimed to outstrip
existing industry virtual reality caves by producing photo realistic images. The
user wears 3D glasses to view ultra-high resolution images. Midlands-based
HoloVis International is leading the project with Sony, Sun Microsystems and ICIDO. It
will be in use at Jaguar and Land Rover's Gaydon engineering centre by spring
2008. | 10
December 2007 Brits
place 3,000 Jag XF orders
Jaguar's
S-type-replacing Jaguar XF has already drawn about 3,000 orders in Britain. "The
fact that there is a buzz being generated around the XF is good and the translation
of that into pre-orders has exceeded expectations," Richard Parry-Jones,
chief technical officer of Jaguar's parent, Ford, said, adding that the Jaguar
company is feeling confident as opposed to complacent. "Without
doubt. If it sells as expected, and all the early indications say that it will,
it will be profitable for Jaguar and a very important stepping stone in the road
for recovery for Jaguar profitability." The
new model, he said, is a key element in the Jaguar building process. "There
is increasing confidence and momentum at Jaguar. People know where they are going,
know how they are going to get there and have the clear sense of confidence and
direction." more... | December
4 2007 Ford CEO
Alan Mulally has said the Ford could announce the sale of its Jaguar and Land_Rover
brands by the end of the year. Reuters
reported that he said yesterday: "We will probably have something to announce
by the end of this year, toward the first part of next year." Mulally
was speaking at a ceremony marking the formal signing of the four-year labor contract
reached last month with the United Auto Workers union. Ford
has narrowed the auction of Jaguar and Land Rover to three bids, the report said.
The remaining bidders include Tata Motors and rival Mahindra & Mahindra which
has teamed up with buyout firm Apollo. One Equity is the other bidder. Mulally
also said the automaker has made a 'significant improvement' in the competitive
gap with Asian automakers with the new labour contract. Ford Chairman Bill Ford
reportedly said the company will respond to new fuel economy standards passed
last week by the US Congress. "We
have to do it," Bill Ford reportedly said, but added that meeting the goal
would be a stretch. | November
12 2007 Jaguar
C-XF named concept car of the year
The Jaguar C-XF has been
named 'Concept Car of the Year' by leading Japanese design magazine CAR STYLING.
Established 30 years ago, CAR STYLING is read all over the world and is the only
design magazine published in both Japanese and English. Jaguar's
Design Director, Ian Callum said: "It is a great honour for Jaguar to receive
this award from such a reputable journal like CAR STYLING - a magazine that all
designers have grown up with for the last 30 years. My colleague Julian Thomson
and I both believe it has always demonstrated the very best in our profession,
so it makes us particularly proud to receive this recognition for the C-XF." The
C-XF first received recognition in January of this year when it was voted 'Star
of the Show' by Autoweek magazine at the Detroit Auto Show. more... | October
11 2007 JAGUAR
REVEALS THE NEW GENERATION X-TYPE
The
Jaguar X-TYPE gets a fresh look for 2008, along with a host of new features inside
and outside the vehicle and a new automatic transmission in the acclaimed 2.2
diesel. With significant revisions including nearly 500 new components, the new
generation X-TYPE retains all the original cars strengths, and adds some
new ones of its own. "The
new X-TYPE stands for accessibility, versatility, luxury and choice within the
Jaguar range", explained CJ O'Donnell, Global Marketing Director, Jaguar
Cars. "The package of revisions particularly the automatic transmission
in the 2.2 diesel presents our established dealers and the key emerging
markets with an excellent opportunity to reach new customers and retain existing
owners." The
new X-TYPE's exterior styling is significantly refreshed - with changes that reflect
some of Jaguars new saloon car design language - with subtle interior revisions
and greater choice of trim and equipment, further emphasising the X-TYPE's premium
car credentials.more... | October
10 2007 Jaguar/Land
Rover bidders need more time Bids
for Jaguar and Land_Rover are expected to be finalised by the beginning of November.
According to a Reuters report today, potential bidders need more time to complete
due diligence. With
no set deadline for the bids, the timing could slip further. Earlier this year
Lewis Booth, executive vice president of Ford's European units, said that a decision
would probably not be made until late this year or early 2008. Private
equity companies reportedly in the bidding are One Equity Partners, Ripplewood,
Terra Firma, TPG (Texas Pacific Group), and despite its recent acquisition of
Chrysler, Cerberus. more... | September
20 2007 Spied:
Jaguar XF-R
Don't be fooled by the S-Type bodywork - under the disguise
lurks what appears to be a hot XF-R version of Jaguar's exciting new saloon. The
XF was one of the most talked about cars at last week's Frankfurt show and many
are pinning hopes of Jaguar's survival on it. Will it succeed? Time will tell
but this hot version can't do any harm. more... | August
29 2007 'Jaguar'
badge for the chop - designer The
word 'Jaguar' will start to be ditched from the back of production cars within
two or three years, the Ford-owned luxury car maker's design boss has confirmed.
more.... | |
August 28, 2007 REVEALED
- THE ALL-NEW 2009 JAGUAR XF
Contemporary design in an all-new Jaguar sedan
Jaguar
is proud to announce the all-new 2009 XF - a stunning four-door Jaguar that combines
the style and performance of a sports car with the refinement, space and sophistication
of a luxury sedan. Scheduled
to make its world debut at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show in September,
the new Jaguar XF is a reflection of the bold new design language that Jaguar
will be using both now and in the future. "As
one of the most visually striking, technically sophisticated and driver-oriented
sedan cars that Jaguar has ever produced, the XF clearly demonstrates the forward-looking
focus that now defines the Jaguar brand," said Wayne Burgess, XF Senior Design
Manager. "With its dramatic styling, powerful flowing lines and a distinctive
front, the new XF looks like no other Jaguar . Yet it defines the new design language
the company will be adopting for all future models." The
first impression of the new XF is its visual strength. It firmly emphasizes contemporary
automotive style whilst maintaining Jaguar's core values. The new XF is sporty,
muscular and dynamic -- made evident in its sweeping silhouette that was inspired
by the new Jaguar XK sports car. There is a powerful grille, dramatic side window
graphics and, of course, strong Jaguar rear haunches. The stance of the XF gives
the car a 'ready to pounce' look that suggests latent power and energy. more...
Full
report | |
August 2 2007 ODriscoll
replaces Boerio as Jaguar MD Up-for-sale
and under pressure Jaguar has announced that Mike O'Driscoll is to become the
new Managing Director of Jaguar Cars. O'Driscoll, currently President of Jaguar
Land Rover North America, will replace Bibiana Boerio, who is to retire by the
end of the year after eight years with Jaguar and over thirty in total with Ford
Motor Company. O'Driscoll
has almost thirty years experience with Jaguar and Land_Rover and has a wealth
of sales and marketing expertise gained both in the UK and United States. Welcoming
O'Driscoll to his new role, Jaguar and Land Rover CEO Geoff Polites said: "Mike
has proven in-depth experience and understanding of how to sell premium cars in
the marketplace and how best to support our dealers. This experience will serve
Jaguar well as we launch some very exciting new products in the years ahead. "Mike
has worked closely with Bibie Boerio over the past three years, as we have put
in place the strategy and actions to rebuild Jaguar. He has a strong understanding
of the brand and the marketplace and will lead Jaguar into the next phase."
more... | |
July 23 2007 Jaguar
collects customer service plaudits. Jaguar
has commended dealers world-wide for dedication to customer satisfaction with
a number of notable awards in key markets, including the US, the UK and Germany.
Managing director
Bibiana Boerio said: "The fantastic results from JD_Power in the US and Motor
Trader in the UK are further evidence of Jaguar's passion to deliver a first-class
sales and ownership experience." In
the US, Jaguar ranked number one in the 2007 JD Power and Associates Customer
Service Index (CSI) study with the highest score in the history of the survey,
displacing Lexus. In
first place with a score of 925 points out of 1,000, Jaguar was 13 points above
the top CSI performer in 2006. more... |
|
July 19, 2007 JAGUAR
TAKES THE NUMBER ONE POSITION IN THE 2007 J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES CUSTOMER SERVICE
INDEX (CSI) STUDY Gary
Temple, executive vice president of Jaguar Land Rover operations, accepts the
first place award for Jaguar in the 2007 JD Power and Associates Customer Service
Index (CSI) study from Loretta Seymour of JD Power. Jaguar
ranks number one in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index
(CSI) study. Jaguar ranked first, with the highest ever score in the study, of
925 points on a 1,000-point scale13 points above the top CSI performer in
2006. "This
outstanding result in the JD Power and Associates CSI study reflects the tremendous
progress that has been made at Jaguar these last few years. To rank number one
in customer service, following our # 1 ranking in each of the last three years
in the Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) study is a tribute to the dedication and
passion of all our Jaguar dealers in the United States" said Mike O'Driscoll,
president, Jaguar Land Rover North America. more.... |
|
June 27 2007 Ford
readies Jaguar and Ford for sale Ford
has hired business consultants KPMG to go over Land_Rover and Jaguar books in
preparation for the companies' sale later this year. The
Sunday Times reported that KPMG has been given the task of separating out the
companies' accounts from Ford, which has owned Jaguar and Land Rover since 1989
and 2000 respectively. "They
need to sort out things like the real cost of the parts that Ford supplies to
the two companies. It's the extrication of the parent company from the figures
that is the difficult part of the job," said one senior industry source,
quoted by the Sunday Times. more... |
|
June 20, 2007 ROGER
PUTNAM RECEIVES CBE IN QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST
Roger Putnam's services to the automotive industry have been recognised with the
award of a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours list 2007. Chairman of Ford of
Britain from 2002-2005, Roger Putnam was also President of the automotive industry
body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Roger Putnam's illustrious
career in the motor industry spanned more than 40 years. He began his career at
Lotus in 1966 in sales before moving to public relations then marketing, before
being appointed director sales and marketing, a global role, in 1976. In
1982 he joined Jaguar as director, marketing and UK sales operations, before being
appointed to the board in 1986 as director, sales and marketing. At that time
he was also appointed to the boards of Jaguar subsidiary companies in Europe and
Japan. While
at Jaguar Roger totally restructured both the UK and international dealer and
distributor networks, moving the brand into new markets as well as playing a key
role in the team that launched some of Jaguar's most important recent models,
including the XJ8, XK8 and the current S-TYPE and X-TYPE.
more... | |
June 12, 2007 2007
JAGUAR XK WINS AUTONERVE MAGAZINE BEST CONVERTIBLE AWARD Jaguar
Canada recently accepted a National Readers Choice Award naming the Jaguar XK
as the AutoNerve Magazine Best Convertible of 2007. The
Jaguar XK has been engineered above and beyond the high expectations that customers
rightly have for a Jaguar sports car, a fact made possible because everything
from its advanced aluminum chassis to its sophisticated transmission and exquisite
interior has been designed in pursuit of a luxurious, advanced and stunning new
Jaguar. The 2007
Jaguar XK allowed Jaguar to emerge as a world leader in Lightweight Vehicle Technology
while retaining its reputation for beautifully designed and crafted cars. more... |
|
June 12, 2007 JAGUAR
X-TYPE NAMED TOP ASPIRATIONAL LUXURY CAR The
Jaguar X-TYPE received top honors in the 2007 Aspirational Luxury Car category
of AutoPacific's annual Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) a study that measures
satisfaction among vehicle owners. The
X-TYPE fits perfectly into the Aspirational Luxury Car section as it plays the
key role of providing buyers with entry into the Jaguar brand. Competitively priced
with an MSRP starting at $34,995, X-TYPE
offers all the luxury, performance and prestige associated with the marque at
a fraction of the price. The entry-level luxury sedan combines athletic performance
with a smooth ride and is the only compact sedan in its class to offer standard
traction-enhanced all-wheel drive. more... |
|
June 4, 2007 JAGUAR
XKR CONVERTIBLE TOPS 2007 BEST ROAD TRIP CAR LIST Jaguars
supercharged XKR Convertible voted the #1 car Americans want to drive on a summer
road trip Jaguars
supercharged 420-horsepower XKR Convertible was voted number one in Kelley Blue
Book's list of cars best-suited for road trips. Compiled by the road test
editors of Kelley Blue Book, the XKR Convertible was short-listed against 10 other
new vehicles and then surveyed by shoppers on which vehicle they would most like
to take on the road this summer. Top of the list was Jaguars XKR Convertible,
ahead of BMWs 3-Series Convertible and the Chevrolet Suburban. more...
| |
May 31, 2007 JAGUAR
XJ NAMED ONE OF THE SAFEST CARS
Forbes.com recently released its list of the top 20 safest cars for 2007 and included
on the list was Jaguars flagship sedan, the XJ. To compile the list,
Forbes referenced numerous outside sources, including Consumer Reports, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and
Highway Loss Data Institute. The
Jaguar XJ was included on the list due to its perfect rating in accident-avoidance
capabilities by Consumer Reports and substantially better-than-average frequency
of insurance injury-claim filings, according to HLDI. more... |
|
May 23, 2007 ROBERT
MOTORS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS Robert
Motors Jaguar together with Jaguar Canada recently celebrated the 25 th anniversary
for the Toronto retailer. Robert
Motors, a family-owned and operated business, has been under the leadership of
dealer principal, Tony Scott Fisher since the day the doors opened to the store.
"Our success and
longevity is due to our commitment to providing the highest, time-honored standards
for service, for selection, and customer satisfaction," said Scott Fisher.
"We want to keep our customers for a long time so we always aim to exceed
their expectations." more...
| |
January 4 2007 THE
ALL-NEW JAGUAR C-XF "Great
Jaguars turn heads in the street. They make people stop and pay attention. They
evoke instant desire. Thats what the C-XF does and thats what the
next generation of Jaguars will do. Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar
Cars
The C-XF
concept car signals the onset of a new era for Jaguar. A stunning, four-door sports
saloon which blends design purity with unmistakable dynamism, the C-XF is a clear
indication of the design direction that the next generations of Jaguar saloons
will take. Designed
by the same teams that produced the award-winning Jaguar XK sports GT range in
2005 headed by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum and Head of Advanced
Design Julian Thomson the C-XF concept is a precursor to cars that will
become recognised for their ground-breaking exterior looks and innovative interiors.
As a striking
interpretation of the design values that are the bedrock of every great Jaguar,
the C-XF is wholly contemporary yet succeeds in paying homage to its renowned
predecessors. The
C-XF and the future generations of sports saloons it signals reaffirms
the direction Jaguar is taking, says Bibiana Boerio, Managing Director of
Jaguar Cars. When we launched the new XK sports car series, we talked about
a product-led transformation of the company. We promised that new Jaguars would
be beautiful, fast, glamorous and evocative. The new XK delivered on that promise
and the C-XF proves that these same values and more are coming in Jaguar saloon
cars. more... | |
January 3 2007 THE
ALL-NEW JAGUAR C-XF REVEALED All-New
Jaguar Concept Car Reveals Dramatic New Design Direction for Future Sport Sedans
The all-new Jaguar
C-XF concept car, a stunning four-door sedan that blends dynamic, modern features
with classic, heritage cues, will make its debut at the 2007 North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. This concept, which boasts a 4.2-liter supercharged
V8 engine, signifies a new era for the company and is a clear indication of the
design direction for the companys next-generation of sport sedans. Headed
by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum and Head of Advanced Design Julian Thomson,
the concept was designed by the same team that produced the award-winning 2007
Jaguar XK Coupe and Convertible. The team looked to create a vehicle that presents
a confident statement of design purity. In doing so, the C-XF possesses a sense
of latent power through a look that is dynamic and athletic. The
Jaguar C-XF concept is the most dynamic and modern four-door car that Jaguar has
ever created, a design showcase heralding the next generations of our sports saloon
models, says Ian Callum. It signals a future for Jaguar that is as
exciting as the C-XF itself. more... |
|
December 15 2006 S
TYPE REVISED Jaguar
has revised the S-type for 2008 model year versions. All cars now get mesh
grilles and bumpers from the S-type R, as well as upgraded alloys and seats throughout
much of the range. The
Sport model is deleted, with trims now Spirit, XS, SE and R. |
|
December 14 2006 Top
Gear crowns Jaguar XK 'Car of the year 2006 The
Jaguar XK has been crowned 'Car of the Year' and 'GT of the Year' at the 2006
Top Gear Awards. This is the first time Jaguar has received this prestigious accolade
from the UK's biggest selling motoring publication. The awards were held in London
on Thursday 7th December and were presented by BBC Top Gear TV's Jeremy Clarkson.
Editor of Top
Gear magazine Michael Harvey said: 'We feel justified in handing OUR BIG ONE to
the fabulous XK, a car everyone now recognises as magnificently beautiful, that
reclaims the lost role of the Grand Tourer and, we suspect, might reclaim the
art of ride/handling compromise in the portfolio of skills any purveyor of so-called
luxury cars must possess.' Top
Gear editorial contributor in the US, Jamie Kitman said: 'This is not only the
best Jaguar in 40 years, it is a real Jaguar; one knows it in seconds. Jaguar
has thoroughly demonstrated with the XK that it is an utterly serious modern engineering
entity with a priceless institutional memory of that which made Jaguars great.'
more... | |
November 28 2006 JAGUAR
CARS ANNOUNCES THE NEW JAGUAR XF Jaguar
Cars today announces that a new sports saloon, the Jaguar XF, will make its public
debut next autumn. Positioned in the luxury mid-size segment, the new Jaguar
XF will replace the S-TYPE saloon in the Jaguar model line-up. Designed
and developed at Jaguar's Product Development Centre at Whitley in Coventry, UK,
the new Jaguar XF will be built at Jaguar's Advanced Manufacturing Centre
at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, UK. "The Jaguar XF is a new sports
saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different,"
commented Bibiana Boerio, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars. "Our new
XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We
are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era - and
if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"
Customer deliveries of the new Jaguar XF will commence in spring 2008, dependent
on market. The
Jaguar S-TYPE, which is replaced by the new Jaguar XF, made its public debut in
1998 prior to going on sale in 1999. Since launch, globally circa 270,000 S-TYPEs
have been sold. | |
August 18 2006 JAGUAR
CANADA ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW 2007 XKR COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE PRICING AND OPTION PACKAGES
Jaguar
Canada today announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) and option
packages for the supercharged 2007 XKR Coupe and Convertible.
Taking
its performance to a new level, Jaguar has engineered the stunning 2007 XKR to
exceed the high demands that consumers rightly expect from a supercharged Jaguar
sports car complete with advanced aluminum chassis, sophisticated transmission
and enhanced sporting exterior and interior styling cues the all-new 2007
XKR Coupe will be priced from $117,000 (CAD) and the 2007 XK Convertible will
be offered from $127,000 (CAD). (Prices do not include $995 destination and delivery
charge.) "The
2007 XKR Coupe and Convertible define the ultimate in sports cars," says
Gary Moyer, president of Jaguar Land Rover Canada. "With a 420bhp supercharged
AJ-V8 engine under the hood, the 2007 XKR provides those who want power and luxury,
the combination of exhilaration and status." An
available Luxury Package offers soft-grain leather, leather-trimmed instrument
panel and 16-way power seats with adjustable bolsters. A Premium Sound Package
with a eight-speakers, 525-watt surround sound Alpine Premium Dolby ProLogic II®
system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio* and an Advanced Technology Package, which
includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Adaptive Front Lighting, will be offered
for both Coupe and Convertible models. Building
on the excellence of the 2007 XKs introduced in 2005, the 2007 XKR is the epitome
of a contemporary sports car and perfectly illustrates Jaguar's philosophy of
building beautiful, fast cars. It combines beauty with power, and style with dynamism
to deliver a world-class performance automobile. more... |
|
August 17 2006 JAGUAR
USA ANNOUNCES 2007 XKR COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE PRICING AND OPTION PACKAGES
Jaguar North
America today announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) and option
packages for the supercharged 2007 XKR Coupe and Convertible. Taking
its performance to a new level, Jaguar has engineered the stunning 2007 XKR to
exceed the high demands that consumers rightly expect from a supercharged Jaguar
sports car complete with advanced aluminum chassis, sophisticated transmission
and enhanced sporting exterior and interior styling cues the all-new 2007
XKR Coupe will be priced from $86,500 (USD) and the 2007 XK Convertible will be
offered from $92,500 (USD). (Prices include destination and delivery charges.)
"The 2007
XKR Coupe and Convertible are sensational cars to drive that define the road,"
says Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover. "With
a 420bhp supercharged AJ-V8 engine under its hood, the 2007 XKR provides those
who have an affinity for power and luxury, the combination of exhilaration and
refinement." An
available Luxury Package offers softgrain leather, leather-trimmed instrument
panel and 16-way power seats with adjustable bolsters. A Premium Sound Package
with a eight-speakers, 525-watt surround sound Alpine Premium Dolby ProLogic®
II system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio* and an Advanced Technology Package, which
includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Front Lighting, will be offered for
both Coupe and Convertible models. * Not available in Canada Building
on the excellence of the 2007 XKs introduced in 2005, the 2007 XKR is the epitome
of a contemporary sports car and perfectly illustrates Jaguar's philosophy of
building beautiful, fast cars. It combines beauty with power, and style with dynamism
to deliver a world-class performance automobile. more... |
|
August 14 2006 Potential
suitors circle stricken Jaguar After
17 years, Ford still hasnt fixed Jaguar. And with thumping losses and a
hard-nosed troubleshooter taking a long hard look at the business, it might be
time to sell the struggling brand. Rumour has it that there is no shortage of
potential buyers.. | |
August 8 2006 FORD
REFUSES TO BE DRAWN ON JAGUAR RUMOURS Despite
weekend newspaper reports suggesting the possible sale of Jaguar, either on its
own or 'bundled' with Land Rover, Ford remains adamant that no steps have been
taken towards disposing of the luxury brand. |
| August
2 2006 FORD LAUNCHES
REVIEW ON JAGUAR Ford
is launching a strategic review of operations such as the Jaguar brand, that may
lead to asset sales or alliances with other companies, the Wall Street Journal
(WSJ), citing people familiar with the situation, reported today. |
| June
15 2006 JAGUAR SUPPORTS
HOME SHOW WITH GLOBAL DEBUT OF SUPERCHARGED XKR Jaguar's
new supercharged sports car will make its global debut here in the UK at the British
International Motor Show, to be held at the ExCeL Centre in Londons Docklands.
The XKR will be unveiled at a press conference on the Jaguar stand on Tuesday
18 July. "We
are thrilled that the XKR will make its global debut at Jaguar's home show,"
commented Jaguar's UK Managing Director Geoff Cousins. "Following
the resounding success of the XK since it went on sale earlier this year, we are
confident that the much awaited XKR will continue to build on the momentum the
car has generated for our dealers." more.... |
|
June 13 2006 JAGUAR
ANNOUNCES ITS NEW ADVANCED VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY Rear Screen
Connectivity System Jaguar
Cars is pleased to announce the release of its innovative rear-seat entertainment
technology known as the Rear Screen Connectivity System (RSCS) an AV panel
that allows rear-seat passengers to connect any digital device that has an audio/visual
output. This system is available as a retailer fitted accessory only. Rear
Screen Connectivity System
"With
the integration of the Rear Screen Connectivity System, it's the ultimate technology
in vehicle personalization," said Brenda Fevrier-Luhs, Jaguar North America
Vehicle Accessories Sales & Marketing. "Ideally suited to satisfy all
rear-seat passengers and keep them occupied throughout their journey in a Jaguar,
the RSCS is extremely versatile and provides a luxury feature not available in
all mid-size vehicles. We are the first OE to introduce this scan disc/card reader
technology before any other luxury automotive manufacturer." more.... |
May
22 2006 CALLUM BROTHERS WIN 2006 JIM CLARK MEMORIAL AWARD
The
Association of Scottish Motoring Writers has awarded Ian and Moray Callum, designers
at Jaguar and Ford, the prestigious Jim Clark Memorial Award for 2006. It is being
given in recognition of their outstanding contribution to global car design.
The
Jim Clark Memorial trophy is awarded to Scottish people who have made a major
contribution to the world of motoring. Previous winners include Sir Jackie Stewart,
Colin McRae, Tom Walkinshaw, Alan McNish, Robert Reid, road safety guru Dr. Murray
McKay and, last year, for the first time posthumously, to author, broadcaster
and journalist Ross Finlay The
award was presented on Saturday, May 20 at Gleneagles Hotel by Stephen Park, president
of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. He said, This year there
were several worthy nominations but, receiving the vast majority of votes, the
joint award for the Callum brothers was a clear favourite with our members. more... |
|
April 12 2006 JAGUAR
XJ VOTED BEST LARGE EXECUTIVE CAR AT THE AUTO EXPRESS USED CAR HONOURS 2006
The
Jaguar XJ has picked up the award for the 'Best Large Executive Car' at the Auto
Express Used Car Honours 2006, announced today in the Auto Express weekly magazine.
A panel of experts from Auto Express judged the entire second-hand market
to reveal the best used models that money can buy, taking into consideration everything
from resale values, reliability, specification and availability.
The
Jaguar XJ, which first hit new car showrooms in 2003, was chosen because of its
excellent value, great driving dynamics and strong image. Another winning factor
was the comparatively low running costs due to the lightweight, all-aluminium
construction of the XJ, for example the 300bhp 4.2-litre version returns 26mpg,
while the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 can go even further on a gallon. With the recently
launched diesel version returning 35mpg to the gallon, this bodes well for future
second hand values. more... |
|
April 11, 2006 JAGUAR
LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE Jaguar
Land Rover North America announces that Campbell MacArthur is appointed vice president
of Customer Service for Jaguar and Land Rover North America. MacArthur will report
to Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America.
MacArthur's appointment is effective May 1, 2006. "
Campbell has had an extensive career in Customer Service at Jaguar Land Rover
and Ford Motor Company, comments Mike O'Driscoll. "His experience will be
a great compliment to our executive management team." more...
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March 22 2006 JAGUAR
SELLS OFF BROWNS LANE SITE Staff
are being transferred to Whitley - four miles away. Car firm Jaguar is leaving
its Browns Lane site
in Coventry. The company, which has been there for more than 50 years, is
selling the site in a multi-million pound deal to construction suppliers Delamar.
A spokesman
for Delamar said it was confident its planned new production site would create
2,000 new jobs. Meanwhile, Jaguar has announced it is creating a new science and
business park at Whitley and transferring work from Browns Lane to the new site.
About 500 people are currently employed at Browns Lane which is mainly used for
Jaguar's wood veneering service. A Jaguar spokesman said a new veneer manufacturing
service created at Whitley will supply Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover. A
customer care centre for Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover will also be developed at
the site, bringing in another 130 jobs. They have demonstrated great support for
the people of Coventry said Council leader Ken Taylor.
more...
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March 21 2006 AAA
NAMES THE JAGUAR XJ8L AS TOP CAR PICK FOR 2006 Today,
the American Automobile Association (AAA) announced its top cars for 2006 in 13
distinct categories and selected the Jaguar XJ8L as its top pick in the $50,000+
category.
"The
XJ8L has long distinguished itself from other luxury cars by offering outstanding
performance, classic design and true luxury in one sleek sedan," said Mike
O'Driscoll, president, Jaguar North America. "An endorsement from a team
of trusted third-party experts, like AAA, is what Jaguar strives for when developing
world-class vehicles." Every
year, AAA takes a comprehensive look at more than 200 vehicles and judges them
according to many criteria, including ride, performance, braking, handling, passenger
and cargo space, value, and fuel economy. Consumers
in the market for a luxury sedan with excellent performance, handling agility
and interior refinement will be impressed as AAA was with the Jaguar XJ8L sedan,
says John Nielsen, director of AAAs Approved Auto Repair and Car Buying
Program. more...
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February 28 2006 FORD
SAYS OF JAGUAR - SAFE
IN OUR HANDS, Jaguar
is NOT for sale, the vice president of Ford of Europe told investors quite emphatically
today. Talking
to 250 auto industry investors gathered in Geneva by the stockbroker Merrill Lynch,
Lewis Booth said in answer to questions that he was aware that a particular
journalist kept saying that Ford would have to sell Jaguar but it was not
true. None of our premium brands are for sale. The development of premium
brands is part of our competitive advantage. He disclosed a very strong
corporate attachment to the Premier Auto Group from Bill Ford downwards - despite
a hideous recent profit performance and with Jaguar still in loss 17 years after
acquisition. The growth of premium brands amidst declining volume brands had been
highly significant, he said, and Ford was very well placed to take advantage because
there was nobody else with a portfolio like ours. We are convinced
that our strategy is sound. Over the years there will be an increased contribution
by PAG to the bottom line. more...
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January 20 2006 THE
NEW JAGUAR XK, WINNER OF THE WHAT CAR? 'MOST EXCITING CAR TO BE LAUNCHED IN 2006'
AWARD The
new Jaguar XK has picked up a major reader award as 'The Most Exciting Car to
be Launched in 2006' at the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year Awards, held
in London last night. Thousands of readers of www.whatcar.com and the woman's
glossy magazine Eve voted the new XK top of 10 cars not yet on sale, but due to
be launched in 2006. Steve Fowler, Group Editor of What Car? magazine, commented:
"This clearly demonstrates the affection that the British public still has
for the brand and the excitement when a new Jaguar sports car is around the corner.
We're looking forward to giving our own verdict on the car in the coming weeks
and maybe this is a good indication for the 'What Car? Car of the Year in 2007."
more...
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January 9, 2006 JAGUAR
ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW 2007 XK COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE PRICING
Jaguar North America today announces the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices
(MSRP) for the all-new 2007 XK Coupe and Convertible. Engineered
to exceed the high demands that consumers rightly expect from a Jaguar sports
car complete with advanced aluminum chassis, sophisticated transmission
and exquisite exterior and interior design the all-new 2007 XK Coupe will
be priced from $75,500 (USD) and the 2007 XK Convertible will be offered from
$81,500 (USD). (Prices include destination and delivery charges.)
"The
2007 XK is a significant new sports car from Jaguar," says CJ O'Donnell,
executive vice president Sales and Marketing, Jaguar North America. "It represents
the very best in terms of modern engineering coupled with exquisite Jaguar design
and we're confident the all-new XK will attract a very loyal following in North
America ." The
launch of the all-new Jaguar XK marks an exciting new era for Jaguar in terms
of both design and engineering, and reinforces the marques reputation for
building beautiful, fast cars that are as rewarding to drive as they are gorgeous
to look at. more.... |
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September 14, 2005 JAGUAR
REVEALS ALL-NEW XK CONVERTIBLE All-new
2007 XK Convertible will go on sale in North America alongside the recently announced
XK Coupe in spring 2006
Following
the World Premiere of the XK Coupe, Jaguar is proud to announce that it will be
joined by the all-new XK convertible. From
the outset Jaguar knew it needed to create a convertible version of the XK and
designed and developed it in parallel with the Coupe. The XK Convertible uses
the same advanced aluminum body structure technology to achieve excellent body
rigidity and torsional stiffness while minimizing weight: at just 3759lbs the
new Convertible is one of the lightest cars in its competitive set. A
300bhp (SAE), 4.2-liter V8 engine and Jaguar Sequential Shift steering-wheel-mounted
gear change controls ensure rapid performance of 0-60mph in just 6.0 seconds (0-100kmh
in 6.3 seconds) and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh)*. more... |
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September 13 2005 THE
ALL-NEW JAGUAR XK PREMIERES
WORLD - FIRST DEPLOYABLE BONNET SYSTEM All-new XK Deployable Bonnet
System View
deployable bonnet animation
Jaguar Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet is a world first
System operates in less time than it takes to blink
Advanced Sensing system can distinguish between different impacts
Over 120 man years dedicated to system development
Bonnet is raised in around 30 milliseconds using forces up to 50 times the force
of gravity In
an era of safety conscious motoring, Jaguar has managed to combine beautiful,
fast sports car design with the latest pedestrian impact technology to create
a world first with the all-new XK. Today at the Frankfurt motorshow Jaguar engineers
premiered the Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet System (PDBS) a state-of-the-art
advanced safety feature.
Within
the 'blink of an eye' In the unfortunate event of a pedestrian impact, the deployable
bonnet on the new XK automatically pops up a few inches, to create
a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet. This helps to isolate the
pedestrian from hard points in the engine compartment - and takes place in less
than a tenth of the time it takes to blink an eye. more... |
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September 12 2005 THE
ALL-NEW JAGUAR XK IS UNVEILED AT THE FRANKFURT AUTO SHOW INTRODUCTION
Jaguar
is proud to announce a new era in its sports car lineage the all-new XK.
Like all great Jaguar sports cars, the focus of the all-new XK is firmly on the
future, while acknowledging the marques rich history. It heralds a new era
for Jaguar in terms of both design and engineering, and it is the most technically
advanced Jaguar ever built.
The
all-new XK continues the Jaguar tradition of beautiful, powerful, ground-breaking
sports cars, but behind its stunning looks, it bristles with practical, intuitive,
modern technology, clearly focussed on enhancing the driving experience. It delivers
significant improvements in performance, dynamics, safety, exterior and interior
design and equipment, and product quality. When it is launched in early 2006,
this first of the next generation of Jaguars will become the sporting flagship
of the Jaguar brand. more... |
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August 26 2005 JAGUAR
UNVEILS ALL-NEW XK SPORTS CAR Britain's
newest and most beautiful sports car is coming to North America. Jaguar North
America today reveals details of its eagerly anticipated new sports car
the all-new 2007 Jaguar XK.
Making
its world premiere next month at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in Germany,
the all-new Jaguar XK will go on sale in North America next spring as a 2007 model
year product. The
all-new Jaguar XK is the first of a new generation of cars that reflect the best
of everything that Jaguar is associated with from gorgeous, contemporary
design to renowned craftsmanship and quality, alongside the latest driver-focused
technologies and, of course, exhilarating performance. more...
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August 24 2005 JAGUAR
LAND ROVER ANNOUNCES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF FRANCHISE OPERATIONS IN THE UNITED
STATES Jaguar
Land Rover North America today announces that Craig Samara is appointed vice president
of Franchise Operations for Jaguar and Land Rover in the United States. Samara
will report to Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North
America. Samara's appointment is effective immediately. "Craig
has extensive experience in sales and franchising across many brands in the Ford
portfolio," comments O'Driscoll. "We welcome his expertise to our executive
management team." Prior
to this current appointment, Samara was the National Franchise Development Manager
for Jaguar and Land Rover, a position he held since February 2003. He began his
career with Ford Motor Company in 1989 holding positions in Customer Service,
Owner Relations, and Aftermarket Parts. In addition, he held several positions
at Lincoln Mercury in Sales, Marketing and Franchising, and in Ford's Worldwide
Direct Market Operations. He is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Samara
holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Villanova University in Philadelphia,
PA. | |
August 23 2005 THE
NEW XJ 2.7 DIESEL AND 2006MY XJ RANGE "Jaguar's
focus this year is firmly on meeting our customers' needs for cars that combine
superb value for money with a driving experience that you can only get from a
Jaguar. That's why the 2006 XJ range has been significantly upgraded to ensure
every customer will find a model to satisfy his or her requirements. From the
introduction of our acclaimed 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel engine to a host of other
groundbreaking advances for every model, such as acoustic laminated glass and
Bluetooth ® wireless connectivity, the new 2006 XJ will keep Jaguar at the
forefront of the premium saloon market." Bibiana Boerio, managing director,
Jaguar Cars
The
introduction of the 2.7 litre twin-turbo Diesel to the XJ range marks a significant
development for Jaguar's flagship model. Following on from the highly successful
introduction of diesel engines to the X-TYPE and S-TYPE model ranges, the new
XJ 2.7 twin-turbo Diesel means Jaguar now offers a diesel alternative across its
entire saloon range, ensuring that the marque can meet the increasing demand for
diesel-engined cars in the European marketplace. And of course, the 3.0 V6 and
three V8 petrol engines - 3.5, 4.2 and 4.2 litre supercharged - remain as impressive
as ever. more...
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July 29 2005 JAGUAR
BRINGS TOGETHER EMERGING ARTISTS AND AUTOMOTIVE STYLE FOR UNIQUE PROJECT AT SCOPEHAMPTONS
ART FAIR Jaguar,
the highest expression of automotive art, has teamed up with W magazine and more
than a dozen of today's most noteworthy emerging artists for a unique collaboration.
At the prestigious -scopeHamptons Art Fair, July 15-17, in Southampton, NY, Jaguar
will showcase each artist's creative vision on an unusual blank canvas - a 1/18th
scale model of a Jaguar X-TYPE automobile. The event demonstrates Jaguar's enthusiasm
and support of the art and design world. Jaguar--a brand renowned for its
style, sophistication and luxury--will donate the one-of-a-kind scale models to
the fair's silent auction, which runs concurrently from Friday, July 15 through
Sunday, July 17. All proceeds will benefit The Retreat, the only domestic violence
agency on Long Island's East End. The
contributing artists are Jin Meyerson, Kenzo Minami, Tad Lauritzen Wright, Danny
Hobart, Pierre Abando, Thomas Wrede, Simon Aldridge, Johnson Foster, Guerra De
La Paz, As Four, Jose E. Guinto, Shinique Smith, Jeff Sonhouse, Jim Wright and
James McLeod & Josh Weintraub. more... |
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July 26 2005 Daimler
returns to the new car showroom this autumn with an all-new model, the Super Eight.
Daimler
owners are making a statement with the car that they drive. They are telling the
world what they want and expect from the Daimler marque - a car of quality, beauty
and unparalleled craftsmanship: A car like the new Daimler Super Eight.
For
over a century the mention of the Daimler name or the sight of the unique fluted
radiator grille has evoked the memory of a succession of classic automobiles.
From the famous Double Six V12-engined Daimlers of the 1920s that were owned by
King George V of England, through to the Sovereign and Double Six models of the
1960s and '70s, Britain's oldest and most respected marque has signified luxury,
sophisticated style and individual statement. For 109, years Daimlers have been
bought by people who expect the best and appreciate the authenticity and craftsmanship
that a Daimler can offer. In the 21st century nothing has changed. more... |
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July 20 2005 Geoff
Polites is appointed CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover, effective September 1st 2005. Previously
he had been Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. Prior
to his current position Mr. Polites was Vice President European Sales Staff, Ford
of Europe. From 1999 to March 2004 he was President of Ford Australia and has
been closely associated with Ford, as an employee and as a dealer, for more than
30 years.
Mr.
Polites joined Ford Australia in 1970 as a Product Planner and completed training
in both the United States and Europe, before rejoining Ford Australia in 1975
as Marketing Plans and Research Manager. Following
subsequent positions as Southern Region Country Sales Manager, Merchandising Manager
and Eastern Regional Manager, he returned to Melbourne in 1985 as General Sales
Manager, Ford Australia and held this position until July 1988 when he resigned
from Ford to become Dealer Principal of the City Ford Dealership in central Sydney.
more... | |
July 1 2005 FORD
MOTOR COMPANY REPORTS JUNE U.S. SALES INCREASED FROM A YEAR AGO
Ford Motor Company posted its first monthly sales increase of 2005. In June, U.S.
customers purchased or leased 289,449 cars and trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln,
Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, up 1 percent compared with a year ago. Car
sales totaled 100,438, up 9 percent from last June. This was the largest increase
in car sales since December 2002. In the first half, sales of passenger cars were
up 1 percent. "We're
pleased with the overall result this month," said Steve Lyons, Ford group
vice president North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "On the car side,
we are benefiting from the new products we introduced late last year. We expect
to build on this momentum when the new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln
Zephyr debut this fall." more... |
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June 13 2005 THE
NEW XJ 2.7 DIESEL AND 2006MY XJ RANGE Jaguars
focus this year is firmly on meeting our customers needs for cars that combine
superb value for money with a driving experience that you can only get from a
Jaguar. Thats why the 2006 XJ range has been significantly upgraded to ensure
every customer will find a model to satisfy his or her requirements. From the
introduction of our acclaimed 2.7 litre V6 turbodiesel engine to a host of other
groundbreaking advances for every model, such as acoustic laminated glass and
Bluetooth ® wireless connectivity, the new 2006 XJ will keep Jaguar at the
forefront of the premium saloon market." Bibiana Boerio, managing director,
Jaguar Cars
The
introduction of the 2.7 litre twin-turbo Diesel to the XJ range marks a significant
development for Jaguars flagship model. Following on from the highly successful
introduction of diesel engines to the X-TYPE and S-TYPE model ranges, the new
XJ 2.7 twin-turbo Diesel means Jaguar now offers a diesel alternative across its
entire saloon range, ensuring that the marque can meet the increasing demand for
diesel-engined cars in the European marketplace. And of course, the 3.0 V6 and
three V8 petrol engines 3.5, 4.2 and 4.2 litre supercharged remain
as impressive as ever. more... |
|
June 10 2005 JAGUAR
ANNOUNCES MOBILITY PROGRAM TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST DISABLED CUSTOMERS
Jaguar has announced the launch of the Jaguar Mobility Program. This program will
provide financial assistance towards the installation of adaptive equipment to
make new Jaguar vehicles more accessible to drivers with physical disabilities.
The program offers
up to $1,000 towards the installation cost of adaptive equipment and up to $200
towards fitting an alert hearing device on eligible Jaguar models. It is restricted
to a maximum contribution of $1,000 per vehicle. Adaptive
equipment - such as hand controls or steering devices - are just some of the items
that can be installed to allow individuals with physical disabilities to consider
a Jaguar car as an everyday vehicle. more... |
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May 19 2005 JAGUAR
XJ WINS BEST LUXURY CAR IN THE 2005 FLEET WORLD HONOURS |
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