V8 handbag
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
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From: Hertford
To be fair, Ford mgmt. would like to retain AM.
But the shareholders insist it has to go, because the company (FMC) is such a basket case and just a shot away from chapter 11 bankruptcy. AM has no 'synergy' (platform sharing, they mean) with other brands, so it's easiest to untangle.
The X-Type was made out of desperation. The high nose & shortened wheelbase make it look gawkier than the sleek Mondeo upon which it's based. Something like a Xedos 6 look would have been much more elegant, but the Jaguar DNA was all over the place at the time.
Ironically, if you photoshop the X-Type's front axle to a front-mid engine position (like the RWD Krautwagens), it looks more convincing.
And as for the 2wd Diesel Estate, get a Mondeo, you self-important sad c unt. And that applies to Jaguar as much as the buyers.
But the shareholders insist it has to go, because the company (FMC) is such a basket case and just a shot away from chapter 11 bankruptcy. AM has no 'synergy' (platform sharing, they mean) with other brands, so it's easiest to untangle.
The X-Type was made out of desperation. The high nose & shortened wheelbase make it look gawkier than the sleek Mondeo upon which it's based. Something like a Xedos 6 look would have been much more elegant, but the Jaguar DNA was all over the place at the time.
Ironically, if you photoshop the X-Type's front axle to a front-mid engine position (like the RWD Krautwagens), it looks more convincing.
And as for the 2wd Diesel Estate, get a Mondeo, you self-important sad c unt. And that applies to Jaguar as much as the buyers.
Former Moderator
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Oxfordshire
This hasn't yet been identified as either a credible or an accurate story, so I'd say it is highly unlikely that it has happened.
It isn't reported in any Ford news item and hasn't been released in any formal press release by either party.
It isn't reported in any Ford news item and hasn't been released in any formal press release by either party.
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From: Leigh-On-Sea
Originally Posted by Shipley,Feb 2 2007, 08:28 AM
Uh oh....... Essex will be full of them now
Poor cars....
Poor cars....
Lambo Gallardos aren't an unusual sight round here either, I think I saw 3 over the weekend.
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hertford
Originally Posted by C7BLE,Feb 5 2007, 10:40 AM
Don't need an Estate thanks (or the abuse)
I've no problem with Mondeos, one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.
Just don't think Jaguar should be in that market.
edited as not sure abuse was directed at me....
I've no problem with Mondeos, one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.
Just don't think Jaguar should be in that market.
edited as not sure abuse was directed at me....
I quite like the Mondeo. Nothing wrong with a 2wd Diesel Estate for those that need that sort of thing.
The X-Type 2wd diesel estate is not brand stretching - it's idiot stretching! An uglified Mondy for the clinically pompous. An Allegro VdP estate would be less pretentious.
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From: Notts & Bristol wanderer
Originally Posted by C7BLE,Feb 3 2007, 10:57 PM
One day I went into a dealer and saw a front wheel drive diesel estate with a manual gearbox and realised they had lost all sense of identity.
I don't know why, but that really got to me, C7BLE! Like it! 
Unusual news but as long as Astons keep looking like they do, sounding like they do and going like they do, I'll stil be angling after one some day in the not too distant, no matter who's selling them.
If they go all chav bling, I will go out and murder someone in outrage.
As long as the company survives with some integrity intact, I'll be happy.
And as for Jags - I scorn the X-Type and S-Type, and the old XK was always too dated and a copy of the DB7.
But XJs are a different story! I love the X300 and X308, and even the aluminium X350... and as mentioned elsewhere, the ONLY car which has made my S2000 look ordinary was an X308 XJR. He took me to pieces, the barsteward... and all I could do was
What will go down the pan with Ford?! Worrying times indeed.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
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From: Hertford
Very good question, Matt. That would be like an atom bomb going off.
Volvo & Land Rover sort of go together (lots of platform-sharing under way) & would make an excellent purchase. They'd need to be rich, though.
Jaguar; interesting one. Another Chinese take-away?
Volvo & Land Rover sort of go together (lots of platform-sharing under way) & would make an excellent purchase. They'd need to be rich, though.
Jaguar; interesting one. Another Chinese take-away?
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From: Notts & Bristol wanderer
Well, you'd think someone would come in and take on some of the PAG brands - as you say Nick, LR and Volvo aren't financial liabilities. Jaguar SHOULD survive, if only for its heritage, but as we've seen in the motor industry recently, a glorious past means diddly squat if you're currently losing dough hand over fist.
Surely Ford could be saved by a hatchet job MD coming in and taking the company by the short and curlies?! And what happens to Mazda in all of this malarkey?
Surely Ford could be saved by a hatchet job MD coming in and taking the company by the short and curlies?! And what happens to Mazda in all of this malarkey?
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
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From: Hertford
It's national-championitis, I'm afraid: You can't close the lame-duck US operation. The unions wouldn't allow it.
For years thay've survived lazily by grafting new grilles onto dumb-ass pickup trucks and the cars are shite.
Now that the Japanese make better pick ups, SUVs, X-overs & cars, the Septics are switching in droves. Look at Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, Honda, Acura sales; no collapses there!
As you say, Mazda, Volvover & even Ford Eu are profitable.
Aston should turn the corner, Jaguar COULD turn the corner.
TBH, if PAG & Ford finance were to survive a bankruptcy, thay'd do a lot better. So would the remaining rivals.
But 100,000 or more would be out of work, Detroit would probably go up in flames. Who'd notice?
Politically untenable.
For years thay've survived lazily by grafting new grilles onto dumb-ass pickup trucks and the cars are shite.
Now that the Japanese make better pick ups, SUVs, X-overs & cars, the Septics are switching in droves. Look at Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, Honda, Acura sales; no collapses there!
As you say, Mazda, Volvover & even Ford Eu are profitable.
Aston should turn the corner, Jaguar COULD turn the corner.
TBH, if PAG & Ford finance were to survive a bankruptcy, thay'd do a lot better. So would the remaining rivals.
But 100,000 or more would be out of work, Detroit would probably go up in flames. Who'd notice?
Politically untenable.
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From: North Staffs
Originally Posted by RichUK,Feb 5 2007, 10:52 AM
This hasn't yet been identified as either a credible or an accurate story, so I'd say it is highly unlikely that it has happened.
It isn't reported in any Ford news item and hasn't been released in any formal press release by either party.
It isn't reported in any Ford news item and hasn't been released in any formal press release by either party.
Awwww no matching luggage set after all
