Gerry McGovern axed - goodbye new Jaguar ???
Discussion
Well it's either due to this:
'McGovern... was a favourite of the late Ratan Tata, former chairman of the wider Tata Group.'
Or:
'The Coventry-born designer is responsible for... reinventing Jaguar for its transition into an electric-only car maker, which includes creating the highly controversial Type 00 Concept.'
Or both.
I wonder what Jaguar will do now? Will it be reinvented as proper Jaguar, or end up as a badge on a pram?
'McGovern... was a favourite of the late Ratan Tata, former chairman of the wider Tata Group.'
Or:
'The Coventry-born designer is responsible for... reinventing Jaguar for its transition into an electric-only car maker, which includes creating the highly controversial Type 00 Concept.'
Or both.
I wonder what Jaguar will do now? Will it be reinvented as proper Jaguar, or end up as a badge on a pram?
"Proper Jaguar", therein lays the problem . McGovern in the face of total hostility tried to take the brand forward because clearly there is no chance of survival living in the past . Personally I was stunned that some people apparently couldn't tell the difference between a styling exercise and an end product and most doing the criticising had never even bought the product . I see this as perhaps another opportunity missed .
reddiesel said:
"Proper Jaguar", therein lays the problem . McGovern in the face of total hostility tried to take the brand forward because clearly there is no chance of survival living in the past . Personally I was stunned that some people apparently couldn't tell the difference between a styling exercise and an end product and most doing the criticising had never even bought the product . I see this as perhaps another opportunity missed .
Most car firms manage to find a third option other than either living in the past or pandering to fashionable nonsense as if ashamed to be car company.Simpo Two said:
Well it's either due to this:
'McGovern... was a favourite of the late Ratan Tata, former chairman of the wider Tata Group.'
Or:
'The Coventry-born designer is responsible for... reinventing Jaguar for its transition into an electric-only car maker, which includes creating the highly controversial Type 00 Concept.'
Or both.
I wonder what Jaguar will do now? Will it be reinvented as proper Jaguar, or end up as a badge on a pram?
Jaguar has an image of fine sporty cars and also a history in motor racing.
With motor racing, Jaguar achieved even more top level success than Aston Martin, although it was over a shorter time period. Both had an association with a Formula One and both were part of Ford..
It is interesting how there seems to be far greater passion for Aston Martin, sufficient to mean that profit has never been necessary. They have always been rescued by deep pocketed people, following every financial collapse.
Jaguar has never enjoyed continuous patient rescuers.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Austin Prefect said:
Most car firms manage to find a third option other than either living in the past or pandering to fashionable nonsense as if ashamed to be car company.
Yep.Porsches still look like Porsches, Astons still look like Astons, Bentleys still look like Bentleys, Minis still look like Minis (just about), Fiat 500 still looks like a Fiat 500. A few can do it.
The problem seems to be once you're in the middle ground when everything looks the same and it's just a competition to see who can make the ugliest grille.
Somebody with true car design talent needs to distil the elements of what makes a 'proper Jaguar' and blend those with modernity. Perhaps something like a smaller more affordable Bentley. I'd buy that.
Simpo Two said:
Yep.
Porsches still look like Porsches, Astons still look like Astons, Bentleys still look like Bentleys, Minis still look like Minis (just about), Fiat 500 still looks like a Fiat 500. A few can do it.
The problem seems to be once you're in the middle ground when everything looks the same and it's just a competition to see who can make the ugliest grille.
Somebody with true car design talent needs to distil the elements of what makes a 'proper Jaguar' and blend those with modernity. Perhaps something like a smaller more affordable Bentley. I'd buy that.
Perhaps something like an updated XK then? I have a low mileage XK which I have brought up to tip top condition and intend to maintain in that way. My 39 year old son ( a petrolhead who daily drives an Audi RS 4) is very happy that I have told him I will bequeath the Jag to him sometime in the next 5-10 years - he thinks it is a cool car. So, the younger generation does appear to have a soft spot for Jags - especially if they look as good as the XK.Porsches still look like Porsches, Astons still look like Astons, Bentleys still look like Bentleys, Minis still look like Minis (just about), Fiat 500 still looks like a Fiat 500. A few can do it.
The problem seems to be once you're in the middle ground when everything looks the same and it's just a competition to see who can make the ugliest grille.
Somebody with true car design talent needs to distil the elements of what makes a 'proper Jaguar' and blend those with modernity. Perhaps something like a smaller more affordable Bentley. I'd buy that.
Thread already running.
RE: Gerry McGovern abruptly exits JLR - Page 1 - General Gassing - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/d4ybgPf6Gf5jjRFWj
RE: Gerry McGovern abruptly exits JLR - Page 1 - General Gassing - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/d4ybgPf6Gf5jjRFWj
Super Sonic said:
Thread already running.
RE: Gerry McGovern abruptly exits JLR - Page 1 - General Gassing - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/d4ybgPf6Gf5jjRFWj
this one was first RE: Gerry McGovern abruptly exits JLR - Page 1 - General Gassing - PistonHeads UK https://share.google/d4ybgPf6Gf5jjRFWj
Jon39 said:
Why could Mercedes-Benz sell such a huge number of their E Class models around the world, whereas Jaguar's equivalent competitor the XE struggled?
( That ugly lump on the roof is not an excuse, because BMW do the same. )
It didn't seem like a great car to me. If you were in the market for this class, had the appetite for something slightly different from the Germans, and didn't mind the same stereotypes about reliability and quality that might put you off Jaguar, then the Giulia seemed like a better idea.
Jon39 said:
Why could Mercedes-Benz sell such a huge number of their E Class models around the world, whereas Jaguar's equivalent competitor the XE struggled?
Financial clout, market penetration, huge customer base, solid image... and Mercs still look like Mercs. Whilst I've always been a Jaguar man, given the current range I'd rather have an E Class than an XE (or XF). I had an E320 AMG Sportline convertible on loan for a while and it was outstanding - even had folding rear seats which I thought was impossible in a convertible.And that's another thing - Jaguar never make convertible versions of their medium cars. Not enough money I suppose.
reddiesel said:
"Proper Jaguar", therein lays the problem . McGovern in the face of total hostility tried to take the brand forward because clearly there is no chance of survival living in the past . Personally I was stunned that some people apparently couldn't tell the difference between a styling exercise and an end product and most doing the criticising had never even bought the product . I see this as perhaps another opportunity missed .
Bang onJon39 said:
Why could Mercedes-Benz sell such a huge number of their E Class models around the world, whereas Jaguar's equivalent competitor the XE struggled?
( That ugly lump on the roof is not an excuse, because BMW do the same. )
3 series and C Class available as a saloon, wagon, coupe and convertible. XE is saloon only
5 series and E class available as a saloon, wagon and coupe. XF is saloon and wagon only
The german cars available with a range of 4 and 6 cylinder engines, plug in hybrids and electric models. Jaguar only available in petrol or diesel four pot
The german cars available in fast sport versions M3 M4 M5 etc. Jaguar only has the project 8 low volume high cost
The german cars available with low finance and manufaturer contributions, the Jaguar not, making the germans far more attractive
Residuals on the Jaguars are not as good as the others
and the list goes on
on top of that to a lot of younger people Jaguar has never shaken the old man thing
craigjm said:
on top of that to a lot of younger people Jaguar has never shaken the old man thing
I don't know how they can. They tried the shocking pink freakshow and that didn't work.Maybe they need to make a car that looks like a giant mobile phone. Everybody likes phones so a big one you could get in and drive whilst doomscrolling would be a winner...
Simpo Two said:
craigjm said:
on top of that to a lot of younger people Jaguar has never shaken the old man thing
I don't know how they can. They tried the shocking pink freakshow and that didn't work.Maybe they need to make a car that looks like a giant mobile phone. Everybody likes phones so a big one you could get in and drive whilst doomscrolling would be a winner...
Patrick Bateman said:
For the 3 series, surely a huge percentage of sales were made up of 4 pot ICE cars rather than the more interesting stuff? I don't buy dreary engines for the XE being a big factor in its comparative lack of sales.
Look at the residuals of the two cars, the interest rate on the on the lease deals, the factory contributions, the reliability image (whether true or not) the bulk discounts available to fleets etc etc again the list goes on. The Germans have basically cracked how to sell a lease over and over again.A lot of kids in my friends group are now mid 20's. Ask them what they want to buy and every response is German with some Japanese. Just about everyone will say Jaguar is for old people. The image really cant be shaken.
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff