1997 delivered a spectacular sales result for Jaguar Australia, with sales accelerating to an eight year high.

Record-breaking demand for the manufacturer’s newly introduced V8 powered engines in both the coupe/convertible and saloon car ranges helped Jaguar achieve a sales result of 542 units, representing an increase of 21 per cent over 1996.

Despite a contraction in the two market segments in which it operates, Jaguar Australia was successful in achieving significant gains in both outright sales and market share. Although the large luxury saloon segment fell by 14 per cent, Jaguar Australia’s market share increased to finish as clear market leader with 41 per cent of the segment.

(Jaguar Australia defines the large luxury saloon segment as including all Jaguar saloons, Mercedes Benz S Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS400, Audi A8 and others including Rolls Royce and Bentley.)

And while the large luxury coupe/convertible segment: contracted by 13 per cent, Jaguar sales increased by nearly 196 per cent to 136 units, accounting for around 26 per cent of the segment.

(Jaguar Australia defines the large luxury coupe/convertible segment as luxury sports cars including Jaguar XK8, Metcedes Benz SL and CL Classes, BMW 8 Series, all Porsche 9~ 1 s and Ferrari.)

Managing director of Jaguar Australia, Mr Danny Rezek said: "While 1997 has been an exceptional year for the motor vehicle industry as a whole, with sales up by 11.1 per cent, the results achieved by Jaguar Australia were beyond our expectations. In the large luxury saloon segment, Jaguar sales have increased to such a degree that the total number of Jaguar saloons sold was roughly equivalent to the combined sales of BMW and Mercedes Benz.

"Jaguar cars are more desirable now than ever before largely due to the new V8 engines in both the XK8 and XJ Series which have driven demand for the marque. Also, our top five placing in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Index - ]aguar’s highest ever placing in this key quality ranking - is conc]usive proof that we are now building cars which satisfy quality conscious luxury car buyers."

Jaguar’s impressive sales record was duplicated on an international level with total worldwide sales reaching 43,775 cars, representing a 12 per cent increase over 1996. 78 per cent of all Jaguar cars sold during the year were exported with record-breaking sales in Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain boosting exports to continental Europe by 25 per cent over the previous year.

Australia placed 11^th in terms of world sales and recorded the second best sales result in the Asia Pacific region after Japan.

According to Mr Rezek, the future for Jaguar Australia has never looked brighter.

"Having consolidated our sales base, we are looking forward to an even more spectacular 1998, spurred on by the newly launched V8 XJ Series," he said.