Jaguar Moves Up to Number Two Brand Overall and is the Top European Brand im JDP IQS

IRVINE, Calif., May 18, 2005 -- Jaguar has achieved a quadruple hit in the latest J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study released today. The Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 62,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2005 model-year cars and trucks, who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. Jaguar rose from third in 2004 to rank second overall, a 10-percent improvement over last year's results, and maintained its position as the highest-ranking European manufacturer.

Jaguar's best performing model was the X-TYPE sedan. The X-TYPE, which has been critically assessed by the media in recent months, has improved by 37 problems per 100 vehicles in the study, a massive improvement of 35% over last year's results.

In addition, Jaguar's Halewood plant, where the X-TYPE is manufactured, received the gold award for European plant performance. Halewood's state of the art facility is a center of excellence for lean manufacturing, a discipline that focuses on elimination of waste, while driving high quality, continuous improvement.

"Jaguar ranked number two in the industry out of 36 brands. Once again Jaguar was the highest ranked European brand in the Initial Quality Study," said Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. "Continuing to improve our quality has been a passion for everyone at Jaguar and we are once again delighted with these outstanding results."

The Jaguar X-TYPE went on sale in 2001 and continues to introduce the Jaguar brand to new consumers. The X-TYPE, the only compact luxury sedan to offer all-wheel drive as standard equipment, combines a fresh performance spirit with the luxury, craftsmanship and refinement for which Jaguar is renowned.

From its beginning as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars in 1922, Jaguar has grown to become one of the world's premier manufacturers of luxury sedans and sports cars and with that, one of the most recognized commercial brands. The company's vision is simple: To produce beautiful fast cars that are desired the world over. The company operates three manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and is fully engaged in environmental programs, community work and brand awareness exercises such as motor sport.

Headquartered in Westlake Village, CA, J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies. J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the World Wide Web at http://www.jdpower.com/ .