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For the first time in its 80 year history Jaguar has sold over
100,000 cars in a year.
Jaguar's Managing Director Mike Beasley announced the company's
fourth successive year of record sales when he unveiled the new
Jaguar S-Type range at the Los Angeles Motor Show on Thursday.
"During a very competitive year for premium car sales, and
in an increasingly uncertain economic environment, I am delighted
to announce yet another sales record for Jaguar," said Mike
Beasley.
"During 2001 we sold 100,770 cars in our markets around
the world. The new X-Type has been a major factor in our sales
success. Over 30,000 X-Types have been sold since its mid year
launch and the sales rate accelerated as the new car became
available in our markets around the world during the second half
of the year."
In Jaguar's biggest global market, the United States, the company
sold a record 44,532 cars during 2001. Sales in the United Kingdom
totalled 22,120 cars, another new sales record for Jaguar and an
increase of 47 per cent over 2000. Record sales were also achieved
in continental Europe and other overseas markets.
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JAGUAR S-TYPE 4.2
SE |
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[photograph
supplied by jaguar] |
In the UK Jaguar has sold just under 10,000 X-Types since its
launch in May last year. Initially available with 2.5 litre and 3
litre engine variants, the X-Type has rapidly established a presence
in those sectors of the compact premium saloon market in which it
competes. In the UK, for example, the X-Type takes 65 per cent of
its market segment and in Italy the car has 60 per cent of its
segment.
Mike Beasley added at the Los Angeles Show:
"We expect to see further growth in our sales during 2002
as the new 2 litre version of the X-Type and the new and extended
S-Type range go on sale."
Jaguar's S-Type range has now been extended to seven models with
the addition of three new 2.5 litre V6 engined variants, a 4.2 litre
normally aspirated V8 powered version and the range-topping 4.2
litre supercharged S-Type R. The S-Type R, which develops 400 bhp,
is the most powerful saloon ever produced by Jaguar.
All versions of the new S-Type range feature a completely
redesigned interior, class leading occupant safety systems and new
front and extensively redesigned rear suspensions. A new six-speed
ZF automatic transmission – an industry first in the S-Type's
sector – is available across the full S-Type range. A total of
135,000 S-Types have been sold since the car was launched in 1999
– making it the fastest selling Jaguar in the company's history. |
