For some unexplained reason, Jaguar has made the decision not to participate in what is arguably, the largest and most significant car show in North America. This is a very strange strategy, especially with the recent intro of new models, including the SUV. Also sitting out this years show is Landrover, Rolls Royce and Tesla.

Anyone have any thoughts on the thinking here?

 

If you don't have an XK or XKR in your line-up, why bother going?

 

Obviously, the Detroit show is not that significant to JLR, RR, and Tesla. It's a business decision; their analysis concluded that the costs outweigh the benefits of participating in Detroit. Their markets are elsewhere. They'll allocate that budget to those shows where they believe that they'll get the best bang for their buck.

 

I can't speak for LR or RR but Jaguar didn't have anything new except the SUV which I don't know if it's being shown yet. Detroit absolutely hates Tesla... Tesla is not being sold in Michigan due to the big 3 and the UAW so no surprise there

 

Michigan, is I believe, one of several states that does not allow factory direct sales of automobile. So Teslas are not sold there. Why would they want to patronize a market to which they are not welcome. As for the others, it's obviously a business decision where the costs related to the auto show simply are not justified by the potential market in the area.

 

...however, the Detroit Auto Show is not catering to the local market. It is Detroit, after all. The Detroit Auto Show is attended by auto journalists from around the country and in fact, from around the world. It has been traditionally, the most important auto show in North America. The attention it gets is very significant and I just can't fathom that any car maker 's decision to stay away would have been a financial one. Both Jaguar and Land Rover are scheduled to have representation at the Toronto Auto Show in February. Although that one is a big show, it certainly does not get the attention that the Detroit show receives.

Just found it odd.

 

The F Pace and XE both are new cars and should be hucked as much as possible. Especially with F Pace expected to be their biggest seller since the X Type. XE should do quite well too.

My hunch is that they just aren't ready for the Detriot release and don't want to have an influx of new customers with nothing for them to buy at the dealership. Too bad they couldn't get the dealerships stocked for President's Day car specials.

I also wonder if the XE will stifle the new XF's sales?

 

Having spent time in both the XF and XE, admittedly much more time in the XF. I don't think the XE as nice as it seems to be will cannibalize all of the XF.

 

I've had XFs and now my missus drives an XE. I think that the XE would have pinched sales from the pre-16 XF (nearly as much room, better tech, better ride and steer, cheaper though not as pretty inside or out), the new XF will be a big step up from the XE in interior room. While the cheaper and more compact XE will have a good market and would take some sales, if you have kids over 10 who you drive around, the XF is a much better proposition. It also looks a bit more impressive, in pictures at least.

 

So, the XE is on the dealer lots, ready to buy? I haven't seen one in person. I price a few off of the Jag site. Could make a good replacement for our S60 when the lease is over.

 

We have had them out in Oz since about September last year, and took delivery of ours at the end of November. Compared to the s60 T5 the Jag is quicker (even in the 177KW 4 pot), much more fun to drive, and had a much better turning circle. I dont know what the AWD Jag is like to drive though. The s60 is pretty tight in the back, the rear of the XE would sit between the s60 and the v40.

Coming from owning a number of volvos (c70T5, s60R, 2 X s40T5, and we traded a V40T5 CC for the XE), and levels of prestige aside, I think that essentially the volvos are nice to drive, but the XE is fun to drive.