2016 Jaguar XJ Could Go Conservative …or Crazy
The current-generation Jaguar XJ has had underwhelming sales, as the flagship sedan is seeing less than half the sales of its closest competitors in the US. Both the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class have been outpacing the XJ on the market, and now the British automaker is mulling over what steps to take next for its replacement.
According to insiders, there’s a significant difference in opinion on which direction Jaguar should go with its XJ replacement that is due out in 2016. CEO Ralf Speth believes that the XJ successor should be built closer to the S-Class with a more conservative design, while others internally believe it should have a more distinct style to further separate it from its German rivals.
Overall, XJ sales have been on the decline in global markets even though the British automaker developed an all-aluminum body to compliment the bold styling and loads of tech in the sedan.
[Source: Inside Line]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Although the XJ's sales aren't so hot, I hope Jag stays on a similar course, design-wise. Seems their biggest problem is marketing. They need to take a page out of Cadillac's book. In the 90s, it was a car of pimps & senior citizens. After a serious marketing strategy, key product placement and ad blitzes, by the end of the 1st decade of the 2000s, it had become a contender & now boasts a younger demographic than Mercedes. In short, Jag needs to fire its marketing department, hire a new one & invest 3,4 or 5 times as much in advertising & marketing in general. We have enough Germanic cars. We need the low-slung, passionately styled Jag to hold ground.