Latest Jag 'press release'

[Phil Hopkins]

The email said:

For immediate release
11 October 2006

JAGUAR LEAPS TO SEPTEMBER SALES SUCCESS IN THE UK

- UK sales of Jaguar's XJ saloon rocketed 155% during the vital September month.
- The acclaimed 2.7 V6 diesel version of the XJ claimed over 67% of total September XJ sales.
- The XK sports car's amazing success continued with sales up 74% year to date.
- The new supercharged XKR has now taken 800 advance orders in the UK market ahead of its arrival in Jaguar showrooms in late November.
- Jaguar's 97 UK dealers now reporting increased product-led momentum in the marketplace.

Browns Lane, Coventry, 11 October 2006 – Jaguar's UK sales took a leap forward in September, thanks to strong performances by the flagship XJ saloon and highly acclaimed XK sports car.

A total of 4,421 vehicles were sold by Jaguar UK in the key month of September.

Sales of the XJ range were up by 155% - more than double last year's September volume - with the latest 2.7 twin-turbo diesel version accounting for nearly 67% of the total.

This performance by the 2.7 litre twin-turbo diesel XJ proves that it is now firmly established in the diesel sector of the premium F Segment.

Jaguar UK has sold almost 2,000 XJ models so far this year, including more than 50% diesel versions, contributing to an increase for the model of 31% versus 2005. Jaguar has also recently announced the introduction of its long wheel base XJ diesel which is due to arrive in showrooms from early next year.

"We are particularly pleased that our UK sales volumes continue to increase at an unparalleled rate in an increasingly competitive market environment," commented Jaguar UK's Managing Director, Geoff Cousins. "Important new models, – such as the XK sports car and XJ diesel models, are major factors in attracting new customers to the Jaguar brand. It is also encouraging that the S-TYPE Diesel is already establishing itself as the car of choice in the corporate market.

"I also regard our year to date September sales of the XJ (up by over 31% on 2005) as an even bigger achievement than our XK success. By focusing on the XJ and the new XK though, both the brand and our dealers are making good margins which support our premium niche strategy and business."

Following the success of the recently introduced XK sports car, the new supercharged XKR is hot on its heels, with advance orders of 1,500 vehicles globally (800 in the UK market alone) even though it doesn’t arrive in showrooms until November.

The XK continues to be one of the most dominant cars in a fairly static sector up 9% this year with sales increased by 74% year-to-date on 2005 and 72% month-on-month.

So far this year, nearly 2,000 UK customers have taken delivery of the new XK and globally, Jaguar has already sold nearly 10,000 with the order bank still growing.

[Phil Hopkins]

Having read and digested it, it all seems very good news. However, the important fact to note is in what they don't talk about, ie X-TYPE. At one stage they even go as far as dismissing it when commenting about 'Focusing on the XJ & XK inline with the premium niche strategy'.

Wonder what's going on there...

[simpo two]

Dunno, I thought they were keen to get into the 'good sales manager' end of the fleet market and X-Types certainly seem popular in that niche.

[triple7]

Heard today that the UK is Jaguar's number 1 market. About time they sat up and took notice!

Good news, roll on the new S-Type replacement and a new XJ (which I also heard today was going back to steel) and Jag will hopefully be where it wants to be.

G

[kryten22uk]

New XK sales up on 2005 is hardly an achievement, this would be expected with a new release; ie few people buying an outgoing model, lots of people waiting for the new model.