Jaguar X-Type reportedly read last rites, headed for The Great Beyond
2009 Jaguar X-Type – Click above for high-res image gallery
To read the market, the Jaguar X-Type was too small, too unattractive and too uncompetitive to justify its entry-level luxury price tag here in the U.S., and sales halted in March of last year. Somehow, the X-Type fared somewhat better in the ultra-competitive European market, and the Little Cat That Couldn't was scheduled to live on for Euro consumption through much of 2010.
The continually weak market for luxury cars and the X-Type's widening competitive gap are apparently conspiring to change that, though, as Autocar is reporting that all X-Type variants will cease production by the end of 2009. Jaguar Land Rover CEO David Smith told the U.K. magazine that the move was necessary considering the fact that sales of the brands have dropped 28% over the past 10 months.
Even with the eminent demise of the X-Type, Jaguar will still need to temporarily shut down its Halewood facility for three weeks beginning in September to keep inventories in check. Jaguar will cut 300 jobs though voluntary separation once production shuts down for good.
In spite of the fact that many believed that the X-Type looked dated and was uncompetitive since its launch back in 2001, Jaguar managed to sell 350,000 copies globally of the sedan and wagon over the past eight years, although sales in the U.S. reportedly ran at less than half of official projections. Thanks for the tip, Rohin!
Gallery: 2009 Jaguar X-Type
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bloke 2:25PM (7/15/2009)
I was actually joking, but I do appreciate this blog houses an "international" audience, not a merely a UK one. Whatsmore, everyone I know in the media would deeply criticise gaffs such is this one since it's a slur upon their profession. Rather like a Wodge and Bodgitt accountancy firm would irritate tax professionals - know what I mean? Well, perhaps not.
As for the car itself, I always liked the X-Type. Great play was made of the fact that it used the mkII Mondeo's platform, which was no bad thing because it's an excellent chassis. FWD variants were somewhat pointless given the German Q-car competitors it was pitched against, and AWD variants were highly underrated. In my opinion its biggest drawback was the scaled down XJ looks and frumpy rear design. It always sold reasonably well here, but this car needed success in both Europe and North America to survive.
johnnyg 1:32PM (7/15/2009)
Good riddance.
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XJ 3:30PM (7/15/2009)
I was about to say to exact same thing.
Torrent 1:39PM (7/15/2009)
Yeah bye.
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Greg 1:42PM (7/15/2009)
Long overdue. Jaguar thought it would be their volume car in the US and a true competitor to the 3, G and IS. The truth is, the X was never in their league. The European press even preferred the Mondeo on which it was based.
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RT 1:48PM (7/15/2009)
I always had a soft spot for this car. No, it wasn't particularly good, and sure it was outmatched as soon as it was released, and of course the exterior design was all wrong for the car, but I loved the idea of the car: a Jaguar that was attainable, and I thought the interior was nice. I'm hoping that the XF and XJ do great business because it'll increase the odds of Jaguar revisiting the X-Type concept and putting out a truly competitive compact sports sedan. One can dream.
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Protzenegger 1:56PM (7/15/2009)
I always dug the X-Type Estate. Flowed much better than the sedan, and frankly the idea of a Jag with a tailgate appeals to me.
Jim in Tampa 2:28PM (7/15/2009)
I also liked the wagon form of the X.
ChopperDave 2:53PM (7/15/2009)
Agreed, I never really saw the problem with this car, and I even still like the way it looks. Now, I never drove it, and the reliability was always in question, but still ...
And yeah, the wagon version was really nice, too.
paul34 1:49PM (7/15/2009)
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
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Alex 1:51PM (7/15/2009)
The X-Type was a poorly conceived idea. Can Jaguar make a competitor to the 3 series? Sure. But the X-Type was not it. Personally I would rather Jaguar stick to the higher end cars for the time being.
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Other Man 1:56PM (7/15/2009)
The reason it failed in America was because of three things:
1) Power, or lack thereof
2) Price
3) Feature for the asked price
The price was lowered and content was added later on, but it was too late by then. People viewed it as overpriced (which it was). X-Types should've had 300+ hp for its price, and lower models could've had that 3.0-L standard.
They should bring an XG or something back, a small Jag based on the rear-drive XF or even the new XJ with its latest platform. Price it right, give it the right kind of power, and I bet it would sell better.
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bc 2:32PM (7/15/2009)
You're smoking some good ganja if you can find many 300+ hp luxury compacts in the low $30Ks. This car was derided by most, but not all US reviewers, but was much more highly regarded by owners. I know several people who bought one and were very happy. Because of unpopularity, they seem to be attractively priced as low-mileage lease returns and used cars.
dannyccmc 2:30PM (7/15/2009)
Yes definitely. My mom loves the car. At the time, the xj was too old for her and the front of the s-type wasn't appealing x-type was a good compromise. Hers is surprisingly rock solid reliable. In 70k miles, it only had to go to the dealer for a new battery and scheduled maintenance.
adrian 3:25PM (7/15/2009)
Jaguar should not give up on the idea of a small Jag just because the first generation did not sell as high as they had hoped, The looks of the current car must play a part. I am sure quite a few people like the idea of a Jag but not a large one and not the high fuel bills every time they fill up.
They need to hit the BMW 3 series, Audi A4 and the Merc C series hard. A sleek small X-Type with looks in the direction of the XF / XJ or better with a RWD platform would be a start.
I would have three engines to start with, A reworked 2 litre and 2.5 litre using the 5 cylinder Volvo engine. And the 2 litre 4 cylinder Diesel. Drop a turbo 2.5 X-Type R version later on.
Spartan 6:44PM (7/15/2009)
Wow, really? really?
The X-Type was released with a 194 HP 2.5L engine and a 231 HP engine. Which was more than the holy grail BMW 325i and 330i. More than the Lexus IS, more than the Cadillac CTS, etc...So no, power wasn't a problem.
The X-Type had just as many features at the BMW at the time and..GASP! The interior was better than the 3-Series at the time.
The X-Type was a bit expensive, but it was priced competitively with the cars in its class at launch and throughout it's time in production.
There were problems with the X-Type without a doubt, but you didn't mention any of them, at all.
Beman03 1:59PM (7/15/2009)
My dad had a 2003 X-Type, and despite the quirks and so-so reliability I really liked that car. It rode nice, and to me looked really classy. Its a shame they aren't making a new one. With the styling of the new Jags I bet it would look great.
I have a lot of fun memories with it. Like the time the dash readout said "Boot Open" and my dad and I sat there for 15 minutes trying to figure out what the hell a boot was.
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dannyccmc 2:25PM (7/15/2009)
Haha, same thing happened when my mom first got it. We sat in dealer for 15 min opening and closing everything to figure it out. The service rep comes out and slowly closely the trunk lid...
fixitfixitstop 12:59AM (7/16/2009)
You people comment on a car blog and don't know what a boot or a bonnet means?
I give up.
Sean 2:10PM (7/15/2009)
The X-type was Jaguar's Cadillac Cimmeron. It was based off the Ford Contour/Mondeo economy car platform. Hardly a luxury car.
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