No More X Types

It's a funny old world. Those of you interested in Jaguar cars will have noticed that the X Type will discontinue manufacture at the end of December. It is effectively there already, since Jaguar now just make them to order. Now that Jaguar have broken their links with Ford it seems that they want to expunge any remaining traces of their involvement with a mass car manufacturer - although it is a job to square this with the tie-up with Tata. The X Type has been badly handled by the marketing department right from the start. It did not sell as many as Jaguar said that it would; not because there was much wrong with the car, rather it was slagged off by all and sundry because it used Ford bits. Lots of manufacturers use parts from big companies like Ford because it makes sense. In spite of everything the X Type has consistently been Jaguar's best selling car. Now - lo and behold - What Car's JD Power owner satisfaction survey reveals that the now 9 year old X Type placed second behind the Lexus IS but ahead of the much promoted BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C Class. The Jaguar was liked for being solid, reliable and economical and with good service from Jaguar dealers. In the overall satisfaction table it placed 17th out of 101 cars. The BMW had air conditioning problems and the Mercedes owes its high place only to the service provided by dealers. This car suffered problems with the engine, transmission, sat nav system, the stereo and the seats. Both of these cars have received much praise from the motoring press at the same time that they have been attacking the X Type for containing Ford bits. I have found that everyone who actually has owned an X Type likes it. I certainly do. But from December, it will be no more.

Now, we learn that Jaguar is going to bring out another small car but, it seems, it will be a small sports coupe that will cost an arm and several legs. There is a big demand for one of these, is there? I still feel that they should have produced a new X Type small saloon and estate car using parts from the latest designs. However, current thinking is that they could never compete with BMW, so they will give up and go for the niche market. I am always dubious about niche markets. If there is a niche market with a serious demand for a product, you can bet your last dollar that someone else will start to make a competitor.

We will have to see. The XF sells well and the new XJ may sell well. It is a limited market for cars that cost over £50,000 and the XJ will face some stiff competition.

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