Autocar January 09, 2019

THERE WERE WHISPERS among analysts and the business papers throughout last year floating the prospect of Ford following great rival General Motors out of the European car market completely. However incredible that might seem, we can see why: Ford has made a dozen pre-tax losses in Europe in the past 20 years and it recently admitted that while it made money on vans, it lost cash on each car sold. No wonder investment bank Morgan Stanley predicted that, at this rate, Ford would be Europe’s least profitable car maker by 2021. We will soon hear of Ford’s huge global restructuring plan, which will include much focus on getting things right in Europe to help address this. While cuts, restructuring and axing unprofitable models are one thing, a different way of thinking must also…

“The unveiling of the Defender is one of several blockbuster events JLR has in store” This year’s unveiling of the next-generation Land Rover Defender will crown the most crucial 12 months in Jaguar Land Rover’s history. The Defender’s reveal is scheduled for the autumn. A whole family of vehicles is set to be shown in order to demonstrate that the company is reinventing the model for the 21st century. As recent spy pictures have shown, the intention is to create a broader appeal than ever while including many nods to the model’s utilitarian 4x4 roots. The public unveiling of the Defender – and dealing with the inevitable backlash from purists no matter what the final production car looks like – is just one of several blockbuster events and launches JLR has in store…

THERE WERE WHISPERS among analysts and the business papers throughout last year floating the prospect of Ford following great rival General Motors out of the European car market completely. However incredible that might seem, we can see why: Ford has made a dozen pre-tax losses in Europe in the past 20 years and it recently admitted that while it made money on vans, it lost cash on each car sold. No wonder investment bank Morgan Stanley predicted that, at this rate, Ford would be Europe’s least profitable car maker by 2021. We will soon hear of Ford’s huge global restructuring plan, which will include much focus on getting things right in Europe to help address this. While cuts, restructuring and axing unprofitable models are one thing, a different way of…

Range Rover Evoque Second-generation model arrives in showrooms in the spring. An evolution rather than a reinvention, the new Evoque is packed with new technology and is plusher than before. Discovery Sport Evoque’s platform sibling will switch to the latest underpinnings as part of a significant upgrade. Expect Evoque-style evolution for the rest of the package, as spy pics show. Range Rover Velar Has quickly become a big-selling and profitable model for JLR, as most Range Rovers are. JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations arm will launch an SVAutobiography version this year. Discovery All new in 2017 but sales haven’t picked up for what is currently Land Rover’s most off-road-focused model. A tougher SVX version previewed back in 2017 has yet to materialise. Range Rover Sport Facelifted little over a year ago and with a plug-in hybrid introduced at the same…

XE facelift Recent spy pictures confirm big changes to the XE, which has been a sales flop for Jaguar despite its strong dynamics. Major changes expected for the interior too. XF facelift The XF’s interior is even more exposed to weaknesses next to rivals than the XE’s. Changes are due by year’s end in order to ramp up competitiveness in this key area. XJ Not one we’ll see this year, but development work is carrying on apace on the all-electric XJ. First test mules are likely to be spied later this year for this reinvented flagship. E-Pace After lukewarm early reviews, the E-Pace has undergone a series of iterative changes to improve it. It’s working: it’s now challenging the F-Pace for best-selling status. F-Pace The F-Pace has been Jag’s biggest hit in this new era of cars, and has…

“The unveiling of the Defender is one of several blockbuster events JLR has in store” This year’s unveiling of the next-generation Land Rover Defender will crown the most crucial 12 months in Jaguar Land Rover’s history. The Defender’s reveal is scheduled for the autumn. A whole family of vehicles is set to be shown in order to demonstrate that the company is reinventing the model for the 21st century. As recent spy pictures have shown, the intention is to create a broader appeal than ever while including many nods to the model’s utilitarian 4x4 roots. The public unveiling of the Defender – and dealing with the inevitable backlash from purists no matter what the final production car looks like – is just one of several blockbuster events and launches JLR…