Jaguar News: Jaguar Gets Out the Wagon Marketplace

[William Maley]

Another one bites the dust in terms of the wagon marketplace. According to Automotive News Europe, Jaguar's design chief Ian Callum said the company would not being doing any wagons.

"The [wagon] market is massively shrinking. I'm very sad about it but it's a very difficult market to justify," said Callum told a group of journalists at an event for the F-Pace crossover.

Europe is the only market in the world where automakers can make inroads with wagons. During the launch of the XF Sportbrake back in 2012, Jaguar said wagons made up about 30 percent of the large luxury car market. Germany is the top market followed by the United Kingdom.

"The world's biggest wagon market is Germany. And what do Germans buy? They buy German cars," said Callum.

Meanwhile, the UK isn't as interested as wagons as they once were. Not helping matters is the growing demand for crossovers not only in Europe, but around the world. Jaguar is putting more effort in this market with the launch of the F-Pace. There is also rumors flying around that a smaller model called the E-Pace will join later.

"We will do things that will surprise you but it won't be wagons," said Callum.

Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required)

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[regfootball]

Wot? No diesel manual AWD wagons?

[G. David Felt]

Totally understandable, I wonder just how long manual trans will be around before it is a history note in books. With the need for clean air and higher MPG, automatics are the way to go. Plus safer for all especially in hilly areas. I really think there is no valid reason to keep building manual transmissions.

 

Calling it here, maybe 10 years left before Manual transmissions are gone. No need to have them with EVs and Petrol, Diesel and CNG all get better MPG with auto rather than manual transmissions.