Jaguar Worldwide Sales Reach Record High in 2000

            Jaguar Prepares For Further Dramatic Expansion in 2001

    DETROIT, Jan. 8 Jaguar set a new all-time record in 2000
with worldwide sales of 90,031 cars. This represents a 20 per cent increase on
1999, and reflects the dramatic pace of Jaguar's development as a business,
fuelled by the success of S-TYPE, particularly in the United States.
    Announcing this record-breaking achievement at the Detroit International
Auto Show, Jonathan Browning, Jaguar's Managing Director said, "2000 was
another milestone year in the product-led transformation of Jaguar.  Today, we
produce a range of high quality, attractive products generating tremendous
sales momentum, making Jaguar one of the fastest growing of all car
manufacturers.
    "This year, we will break through the 100,000 sales threshold as we launch
the new Jaguar X-TYPE compact sports saloon later in the year. In addition, we
can now look forward to Jaguar becoming a five-car line company with the
announcement last week that we intend to put the F-TYPE into production in
2004.
    "In the space of five years Jaguar will have transformed from a two car
line niche player to a five car line company and a major force in the global
premium car market, and a significant competitor to Mercedes and BMW in every
market of the world."
    Export performance was again very strong with 75,028 cars, around 80 per
cent of Jaguar sales worldwide making a significant contribution to Britain's
car industry balance of payments.
    Jaguar North America enjoyed its best ever year with a sales in the United
States of 43,728 cars.  This represents a 25 per cent increase over 1999 when
Jaguar sold 35,039 cars in the United States. For December, Jaguar recorded
sales of 4,235 cars.
    As anticipated, the United States' "love-affair" with the S-TYPE was a
major contributor to Jaguar's overall export success. In its first full year
of sales, total sales increased 58 per cent from 1999 totaling 24,507 cars
sold.
    The Jaguar XK Sports series enjoyed its best year ever in the United
States with sales up 9 per cent over 1999 at 6,729 cars sold -- comfortably
outselling the Mercedes SL.
    Export sales to Continental Europe rose 25.8 per cent to 21,401 cars --
another record -- with virtually every market in Europe reporting all time
record sales during the year. Sales in Italy increased 72 per cent to 3797
cars; France increased by 48.5 per cent to 2302 cars; and Belgium increased by
35.1 per cent with 1606 cars sold.
    Sales in the United Kingdom were down 3.1 per cent to 15,003 cars
reflecting the slowdown in the UK market.
    Major sales gains were also reported from Jaguar's markets outside Europe
and North America. Sales in Japan rose 21.7 per cent and in the Overseas
markets including Australia, China and Singapore, sales rose by a third.
    Summing up, Jonathan Browning commented, "2000 was another strong year for
Jaguar, with a particularly good performance from Jaguar North America.  It
gave me great pleasure therefore that Mike Dale, the long standing President
of Jaguar North America, who retired in 2000, was awarded a CBE in the New
Years honours list."