Build Your Jaguar Dream Car Online - Jaguar Launches Virtual Production Line at www.jaguar.com
30 October 2000
Build Your Jaguar Dream Car Online - Jaguar Launches Virtual Production Line at www.jaguar.com
MAHWAH, N.J., Oct. 30 Prospective Jaguar car owners will
be able to build, see and accurately price the Jaguar car of their dreams
online, thanks to an impressive new feature launched on Monday, 23 October at
http://www.jaguar.com.
Allowing real-time configuration and pricing at the click of a mouse, for
any Jaguar car currently under manufacture, the "Build your Jaguar" feature
was designed to facilitate the increasing trend amongst luxury car-buyers of
researching their purchases online.
The center-piece of the facility is a spinning, virtual car, developed for
Jaguar Cars by digital communications agency Global Beach, which allows users
to view and update more than 1250 possible exterior combinations in real-time,
rotating the car through 360. by moving directional arrows.
In an industry first, the facility will be available to users across nine
markets worldwide (US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium,
Japan, Italy), delivered in nine languages.
As customers click their way through their choice of range, model, color,
trim, wheels and accessories, both image and price information automatically
update. Up to 10 personalized selections per customer can be stored in a
"virtual garage" or be forwarded directly to the user's local dealer to
initiate the one-to-one sales process.
State of the art technology was deployed to ensure speed and style of
delivery. The spinning car feature, which handles 1250 possible exterior
combinations and 36,000+ individual frames, was developed using bespoke Global
Beach software, specifically designed to accelerate the user experience.
As a streamed interactive download, the Virtual Car avoids download-downtime,
allowing the user to spin and view changes immediately. By creating
data-driven color tinting instead of image imports to reflect the full palette
of Jaguar paint finishes, the user benefits from real-time color updates.
A powerful configuration database integrated with Jaguar Cars' production
systems has been created, to enable the user to navigate through possible
specification and pricing combinations in real time. This new functionality
was developed and built by a Ford Motor Company-Trilogy joint venture company
that was formed last February and which develops and operates Ford's consumer
Web sites. The joint venture company is overseen by ConsumerConnect, the Ford
Motor Company unit responsible for transforming the company into the leading
online consumer company for automotive products and services.
Phil Cazaly, Jaguar's Director of Marketing said, "As a company going
through rapid growth, Jaguar is totally committed to the use of new
technology. The car configurator on the Jaguar web site is our first step
towards e-commerce and will have real value to Jaguar Customers.
"We believe we have achieved an industry first -- the first to deliver the
facility across multiple markets, in multiple languages and with a direct
online route to the dealer."
Reflecting on the feature's technical achievements, Clive Jackson, CEO of
Global Beach added, "Speed, style and usability are critical in delivering a
premium brand such as Jaguar online -- but so too is performance. Ultimately,
we have delivered an added-value customer service, achieving what would be
impractical using traditional print media.
Jackson continued, "Customers worldwide are increasingly researching their
purchases online -- we have delivered a powerful tool which enables the
customer to explore, price and visualize options, familiarizing themselves
with the Jaguar brand before ever visiting a showroom."
Chris Porch, CEO of the Ford-Trilogy Joint Venture responsible for
developing the powerful configuration database, added, "Jaguar's e-commerce
platform will help transform the customer-buying experience on the Web. This
proven platform will deliver value to Jaguar and its dealers by ensuring their
leadership position in supporting their customers."
About Jaguar Cars: Luxury and sports car manufacturer Jaguar is one of
the best known and loved companies in the global automotive industry. For
50 years it was the story of one man, Sir William Lyons, who built up the
Coventry, UK-based company by producing cars renowned for style, performance,
tradition and luxury.
This year Jaguar plans to sell over 85,000 cars in 70 markets around the
world. It manufactures three models -- the S-TYPE saloon, XJ saloon and XK
sports car range -- and will unveil an all-new compact sports saloon in the
first quarter of 2001.
About Global Beach: Founded in '93 by CEO Clive Jackson, the Global Beach
Group is a world-leading digital communications agency and software developer,
a market leader in the application and direction of new media technology. The
agency's award winning team has delivered 600+ interactive multimedia
programs; more than 20 million copies of its software applications are
distributed worldwide.
Retained digital communications agency for Jaguar cars worldwide across
57 markets, and the Jaguar Racing F1 team, the agency has also developed
award-winning new media solutions for an international client base of
blue-chip names including Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Hewlett Packard.
About Trilogy: Trilogy is the leading provider of e-business solutions
for Global 2000. Trilogy leverages its multichannel software applications and
over a decade of Global 2000 implementation expertise to deploy sell-side and
buy-side e-business solutions, create and manage online marketplaces such as
pcOrder.com , and build e-commerce joint ventures with Global
2000 organizations. Ford Motor Company, Fidelity Insurance, Nokia, and IBM
are examples of the companies that are partnering with Trilogy to execute
global e-commerce strategies and drive industry transformation. For more
information, please visit http://www.trilogy.com.
About Ford ConsumerConnect: ConsumerConnect is the business unit charged
with transforming Ford Motor Company into the leading online consumer company
for automotive products and services. ConsumerConnect comprises:
business-to-business operations through Covisint, the online exchange founded
by Ford, General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG with Commerce One and
Oracle and Renault-Nissan; a joint venture with Microsoft Corp.'s CarPoint, a
leading vehicle research Web site; customer relationship management operations
through a joint venture with Teletech; and telematics (mobile, Internet-based
communications) through a joint venture with Qualcomm.
Other Internet-based operations under ConsumerConnect include Ford.com,
the leading auto maker's site, and relationships with Web leaders like Yahoo!,
iVillage and Bolt. Consumer Connect-Europe will leverage existing ventures to
support Ford Motor Company brands and markets in delivering e-business
solutions throughout Europe. ConsumerConnect also oversees Ford Investment
Enterprises Co., which invests in Ford Motor Co. dealerships.