Ford's Premium Automotive Group (Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover,
and Volvo) downplayed Jaguar's financial woes at the Detroit Auto Show
this year, and announced that for the first time since Ford acquired
all four premium brands, three out of the four brands are in the
black.
Land Rover sales were up 30 percent in 2005,
due to the arrival of Range Rover Sport and LR3. Volvo has an
aggressive new-product strategy, with plans to introduce five new
models in 18 months. Jaguar is hoping a similar product renaissance
will bring the brand back to profitability. The groups showed their
latest efforts, the Jaguar XK convertible and the Volvo C30 concept at
the Detroit Auto Show.
| Volvo C30 Design Concept | |||
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The Volvo C30 concept, which was unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, will closely resemble a production version that goes on sale next year. The sporty hatchback is built from the same chassis as the Volvo S40 and V50. It rides on 19-inch aluminum wheels and is nine inches shorter than the S40 sedan, but shares that vehicle's width. The smallest vehicle in Volvo's lineup, the C30 concept is intended to appeal to young consumers with active lifestyles and money to burn. The vehicle seats four, each in their own bucket seat, and was partially inspired by the Volvo P1800 ES and the automaker's recent Safety Concept Car shown last year at Detroit. Especially reminiscent is the glass tailgate. Power comes from a turbocharged 260-hp inline 5-cylinder engine. The production model will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006, and have a projected on-sale date of summer 2007. |
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| Jaguar XK Convertible | |||
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An XK hardtop convertible was also shown at the Detroit Auto Show, with a base price of $81,500. Coupe prices, also announced, start at $75,500. Jaguar claims that the convertible body style frame is 50 percent more rigid than the previous generation's. Jaguar has already taken 4,000 advance orders for the convertible. |
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 2006 Detroit Auto Show |
