Electronic Newsletter of The Ontario Jaguar Owners' Association
|
n August 31
n
 Sean Connery as James Bond -- with the iconic Aston Martin DB5. It's official: Aston Martin's for sale Exotic performance carmaker part of Premier group -- which includes Jaguar Ford Motor Co. has announced it is looking to unload Aston Martin Lagonda. But, analysts say selling the high-profile English carmaker likely won't make much impact on Ford's bottom line. The sale of Aston Martin -- James Bond's car of choice -- will, however, free up talent that can focus more on core assests such as the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury marques. A Ford spokesperson said the company has been approached by a prospective buyer but would not identify the company. The news is of particular interest to Jaguar owners and prospective owners because Aston Martin is part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, which also includes Land Rover and Volvo. The Dearborn, Mich., automaker also is believed to be discussing the possible sale of all or part of its Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Ford hasn’t acknowledged talks about selling other brands, but has said that everything is on the table as it seeks to reverse its fortunes. Jaguar has been losing money for years, but the others are profitable, Ford has said. Jaguar’s market value has been estimated at $1 billion. Most Aston Martin workers are in Gaydon, England, where Aston Martin has its headquarters and research and production facilities. It has about 2,000 employees. About 15 years ago, Aston Martin was making fewer than 100 cars annually. In 1993 it produced just 42 cars. Aston Martin sold about 5,000 cars worldwide last year, including 1,800 in the U.S. Clearly, Ford ownership was good for the company. The exotic performance-car maker dates back to 1913. The company name comes from the Aston Clinton hill climb and the company's founder, Lionel Martin. Aston Martin has been part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group since 1994. Aston Martin cars start in the U.S. at $110,000 and the top V12 Vanquish model approaches to $300,000 with options. Ford, which has lost $1.4 billion in the first half of this year, has been losing U.S. market share for more than a decade. To cut costs, it is closing factories and shedding more than 30,000 workers over the next few years. Plans for accelerating and expanding its recovery effort are expected to be announced after Ford’s board of directors meets Sept. 14. Despite its woes, Ford reported having $23.6 billion cash on hand at the end of June. -30-
|
||||
|
n August 4
n
FORD
MOTOR
Co. has always denied that it has plans to sell Jaguar but the iconic
carmaker continued to be within Ford's worst-performing brands.So, how much is Jaguar now worth? Economic reality means Ford may have to consider selling Jaguar And the fact that globally-troubled Ford has recently appointed merger and acquisitions banker Ken Leet is raising wide suspicion. Leet, of Goldman Sachs (GS), is to report back directly to Bill Ford Jr., the corporation's head. For detailed analysis, please see the recently published Business Week report: BUSINESS WEEK -30-
|
||||
|
n IRVINE, California -- June
30 n
To view a (much) larger version of this
dynamic photo,
just click it / thank you JAGUAR IS proud to announce its new supercharged sports cars — the 2007 Jaguar XKR Coupe and Convertible. Making its
global debut at the 2006 London Motor
Show on July 18, 2006, the all-new XKR takes the Jaguar experience to
new heights. Designed in
parallel with the naturally aspirated 2007
XK Coupe and Convertible, the new supercharged XKR makes intelligent
use of practical, modern technology such as its industry-leading
aluminum monocoque body structure. In fact, the new XKRs’
aluminum chassis are significantly lighter and stiffer in both Coupe
and Convertible form than the steel counterparts they replace. A 420bhp, 4.2-liter
supercharged V8 engine makes the
Jaguar XKR capable of rapid 0-60 mph performance in just 4.9 seconds
(XKR Coupe) and produces an electronically limited top speed of 155
mph. Both XKR Coupe and Convertible exhibit enhanced performance
styling cues such as a sportier new grille and front bumper design, a
vented hood and distinctive aluminum-effect side power vents. Its unique option 19-
or 20-inch alloy wheel designs and
standard quad-exhaust system also add to its overall presence. "The new
supercharged XKR captures perfectly the essence of what makes a Jaguar
XK so special," commented Bibie Boerio, Jaguar Cars managing director.
"It is a perfect combination of refined Grand Tourer and serious
performance sports car that delivers a truly rewarding and exhilarating
driving experience." Building on the
excellence of the 2007 XKs introduced in
2005, the 2007 XKR is the epitome of a contemporary sports car and
perfectly illustrates Jaguar’s philosophy of building beautiful, fast
cars. It combines beauty with power, and style with dynamism to
deliver a world-class performance automobile. At-A-Glance
XKR Highlights
n New supercharged
Jaguar XK sports car - the XKR, available as a Coupe or Convertible
The 2007 XK was
launched in the U.S. market in April
2006. From its beginning as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars in
1922, Jaguar Cars has grown to become one of the world’s premier
manufacturers of luxury sedans and sports cars and with that, one of
the most recognized commercial brands. The company’s vision
is simple: To produce beautiful
fast cars that are desired the world over. The company operates
two manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and is fully engaged in
environmental programs, community work and brand awareness exercises
such as motorsports. -30- |
||||
|
n
WOKING, England -- June 22 n
The 35-year-old Spaniard is stepping out of the McLaren-Mercedes machinery immediately after opting to drive NASCAR next year. He will be replaced by a test driver for the rest of the
F1 season. “I know that it will be a tough transition but I’m really
excited about the opportunity to move into the NASCAR championship,”
Montoya said. “I have enjoyed most of my time in Formula 1 and I’m
grateful for this opportunity to settle my personal life and
concentrate on my future career.” Montoya was sixth in this year’s F1 championship. -30- |
||||
|
n
SHANGHAI, China -- June 15 n
FORD MOTOR
Co. vehicle sales in China doubled in January-June compared
with first half of 2005, rising 102 per cent to 74,395 units, the
company’s China unit says.Ford China sales double in first half Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover sales leap 63% The sales growth far exceeded the average industry growth of 36 per cent in the first half, according to data from the National Passenger Cars Association. Last year, sales of Ford brand vehicles in China, including imports, rose 46 per cent to 82,225. The Ford Focus, a mid-sized sedan launched in September 2005, has been the major force for growth at Ford’s joint flagship joint venture with Japanese affiliate Mazda Motor Corp. and China’s state-owned Changan Automobile Group, the statement said. Chinese sales of Ford-owned luxury brands — Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover — jumped 63 per cent to 5,285 units. Ford was a relative latecomer to the China market, beginning operations in 1997. It is in the midst of a $1-billion-US expansion plan. General Motors Corp. -30-
|
||||
|
n June
15 n
 A very much younger Stirling Moss, driving Jaguar. Stirling
Moss wins bronze
STIRLING MOSS
-- a living legend in world motorsports -- has finally won bronze.Well, perhaps no so much as won a bronze medal, but certainly he's been cast in bronze. A life-size statue of the former Jaguar race driver was unveiled this week at the Mallory Park circuit, about 45 kilometres from Birmingham, England. Many other racing legends were there to help honor Moss, including John Surteees, Raymond Baxter and Charles Morgan of Morgan cars. For story, see: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=14175 - 30 - |
||||
|
Ford
will be closing seven more factories
The automaker has already revealed plans to close seven plants by 2008, including one in Windsor and the rest in the U.S. These closures will reduce the company's manufacturing capacity by 26 per cent. This trimming back mirrors what has been happening at Jaguar, as the Ford-owned luxury car maker pulls back on manufacturing capacity to more closely reflect worldwide sales volumes. The
Associated Press reports that Ford will pay up to $600 million US in
benefits to affected employees. The
news service further reported that Ford also expects world markets
share will be flat or down for the year. Rising gasoline prices and
competition is threatening Ford's full-size trucks and sport utility
vehicles. - 30 -
|
||||
|
n Dearborn,
MI, April 6 n
Ford's
top executive stepping back
JAMES
J. PADILLA, president of Ford Motor Co., has announced his
retirement.
Padilla,
who played a role in the overhaul of Jaguar from 1992 to 1996, will
retired July, just after he turns 60. He will be succeeded by
William Clay Ford Jr. Ford Jr. is currently forming an executive operating committee to help him effectively steer the corporation. Padilla has worked at Ford for about 40 years. Padilla has worn several senior hats within the automaker. When he steps down he will also give up his seat on Ford's board, as well as his post of chief operating officer. The change comes as Ford strives to turn around sagging North American operations. The company is making some hard decisions, including the closure of 10 plants and the elimination of 30,000 jobs through 2012. Although Ford earned $2 billion worldwide last year, it lost $1.6 billion in North America, where its market share has dropped to its lowest since the 1980s. Among other roles, Padilla has also served a president of the Americans. He was named president in 2005. He became COO in 2004, partly in recognition for his part in boosting Ford's profits. He
also has a reputation of being a mentor for other managers within the
automaker. Ford
bought Jaguar in 1990. -30-
|
||||
|
n Toronto,
ON, March 26 n
OJOA's
website has moved . . .
 YOUR OJOA website is now moved to our new Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are a number of growth-oriented reasons for this. Primarily, this will serve OJOA members better and will, over time, offer more web site features than we currently can offer. What it means almost immediately to you, the site user, is that your life just got get a little easier. Specifically, we have shed our old, cumbersome Internet address, which was http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=ontariojaguar We are now ..... www.ontariojaguar.org In the cyber world, this is rather exciting. The name is already registered, which means it is now ours, nobody else's. We have had our site hosted without charge -- for a long time -- by Hemmings Motor News. We have had a super relationship with Hemmings and we are grateful for the courtesy and bandwidth they have afforded us. We wish Hemmings continued success in all aspects of their ventures. More later, but right now we have to run off and get back to work for you . . . . . . -30-
|
||||
|
n Coventry,
England, March 24 n
BROWN'S LANE SOLD! Site
bought by innovative building corporation
JAGUAR HAS sold is fabled Brown's Lane property. The Allesley site, northwest of Coventry is where the emotional heart of Jaguar's greatness beat for so many years. Purchaser
is Delamar, a new-wave design and
construction company headed by Peter De La Marche.
Delamar is reportedly investing 200 million pounds sterling ($407 million Cdn) in the site. -30- |
||||
Other Jaguar News,
click the newsboy:  |
DUES ARE OVERDUE! Please renew
your OJOA Membership for 2006 RIGHT NOW! |
|||||||||
