UNITED KINGDOM: BRITISH LEYLAND REVEALS NEW MODEL JAGUAR AIMED AT SPECIALIST LUXURY CAR FOREIGN MARKET.

Record ID: 337100

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: BRITISH LEYLAND REVEALS NEW MODEL JAGUAR AIMED AT SPECIALIST LUXURY CAR FOREIGN MARKET.
  • Date: 9th September 1975
  • Summary: 1. GV Exterior British Leyland Motor building with new car parked outside. 0.06 2. GV New car being made in factory (3 shots). 0.21 3. GV Engine being fitted into car (3 shots). 0.38 4. GV Interior Production line. 0.45 5. SV PAN New Jaguar past camera. 0.50 6. CU Car driving towards camera and stopping. 0.56 7. SV Engine co
  • Embargoed: 24th September 1975 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: COVENTRY, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA9US1EVS2ZEWN8P7QD080V232S
  • Story Text: On Wednesday (10 September), the British Leyland Motor Corporation introduced a dashing new model--the Jaguar XJ-S--earmarked primarily for the foreign car market, particularly the United States.

    The Jaguar has been one of the gems in the British Leyland lineup, Maintaining its market position and saleability while many other British Leyland products are suffering severely from foreign competition.

    On Friday (5 September), the company reported that foreign manufacturers had knocked British Leyland's share of the domestic British market down to 28.4 per cent in August. This means that foreign manufacturers now claim 39.6 per cent of the British market, up from the previous high--38.4 per cent in April of this year.

    Yet, at the same time the company reports record sales in the United States. The British Leyland Triumph has led the way, racking up impressive sales figures in the U.S. Jaguar has also continued to do well.

    With that incentive, the new Jaguar--a luxury 7607 sterling high performance Grand Touring model--is aimed at bolstering Jaguar, and consequently British Leyland, prestige in the United States, as well as earning a hefty chunk of foreign exchange for Britain.

    As a result of the drive to sell in the U.S., it will probably be easier for an American to buy a new Jaguar than for a British purchaser. Thousands have already been shipped to the U.S. and will be unveiled on Wednesday. Many fewer have been kept for British showrooms.

    The new Jaguar is aimed at cutting a large chunk out of the luxury car market by attracting buyers who might be considering a Maserati Merak, a Mercedes 450, a Jensen Interceptor or a Ferrari Dino.

    The XJ-S will sell for less than any of those cars yet, with its V-12, 5.3 litre fuel injected engine, it will offer comparable performance and luxury. It boasts a top speed of just over 150 miles an hour (242 kpm) and between 15 and 18 miles per gallon of petrol (24 - 29 kpg).

    British Leyland is producing 60 XJ-S models each day and hopes to earn 26 million sterling (55 million U.S. dollars) in the first year in North America alone and another 4 million sterling (8.4 million U.S. dollars) in other foreign markets.
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