Jaguar quietly winds up new cars for UK market
Planned stop-gap kicks in next month as Jaguar gears up for battery-powered revolution
Jaguar’s long-planned hiatus from the new car market is nearly upon us. While it will continue to build cars for other regions - specifically the F-Pace - in the UK the model will join the firm’s other combustion-engined models in retirement from next month, with only pre-owned stock made available to buyers. Previously described as a ‘reset period’, the interval is expected to last until 2026 when the first of its next-generation EVs goes on sale.
“From November 2024, new Jaguar sales will come to an end ahead of our new brand reveal later this year and product launch in 2026,” JLR confirmed in a statement. “We have now ceased allocation of our current generation of Jaguar vehicles. We do have a selection of models available to acquire on an Approved Pre-Owned basis through our UK retail network.”
Though a part of JLR’s long-term strategy and the conclusion of a process that has already seen the XE and XF wound up - not to mention the F-Type - it inevitably still feels like a melancholy end to Jaguar’s long and often glorious combustion-powered heritage in its home market. Given the precariously slim number of private buyers who are currently opting to purchase EVs in this country (and the comparative sales success of the F-Pace) it is obviously an open question as to whether or not JLR would still have made the same decision had it foreseen the shortfall in demand - but also now an academic one: the decision was made long ago.
Of course, the blow is softened considerably by the volume-shifting behemoth that is Land Rover, and with the preview of its first JEA-platformed, all-new EV imminent - widely understood to be a four-seat GT - Jaguar will likely point out that it cannot credibly relaunch as a luxury all-electric brand while still in the business of building and selling mainstream petrol and diesel cars. Be that as it may, its year-long absence will be felt keenly by anyone not interested in the usual German suspects. If that thought is too much to bear, here’s a barely-used 24-plate F-Pace SVR to see you through the end times. It’s literally now or never.
My grandfather had a Mk.2 3.8.
My father had a XJ-S V12.
I’ve had a couple of XJ-S’, 3.6 & V12.
Yet when it came to buying new cars we bought BMW because the ludicrous deals BMW were doing at the time allowed the 530d to under cut the XF.
Add into that the woeful dealer experience when we tried to buy an iPace or a Range Rover and I’m not surprised.
Clearly Jaguar have noticed that volume manufacturers like Stellantis and VW barely break even, premium brands like Merc and BMW make a decent profit, and low-volume producers like Ferrari and Lamborghini are raking in the cash. Since profitability increases as volumes decrease, the obvious way forward is to be an ultra-exclusive luxury brand selling zero vehicles per annum. After all, the only thing more exclusive and desirable than a one-off is a none-off, right?
This also has the benefit of allowing Jaguar to meet net zero targets well ahead of schedule, as well as relieving them of having to worry about pesky things like workers, dealerships and recalls.
It's a genius plan!
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