Jaguar launches new XJ model

MANILA, Philippines - Jaguar Philippines Inc. (JPI) launched yesterday its P9 million all new Jaguar XJ.

In an interview at the launch of the new luxury car, JPI chairman and president Wellington Soon said the crackdown of the government on tax evaders has somewhat dampened the interest of their clients. The Bureau of Internal Revenue recently filed a tax evasion case against the owner of Villarica Pawnshop who drives a Lamborghini and Ferrari but paid very minimal taxes.

“There is a mood of cautiousness among the buyers. The interest is there but they are now managing the timing of their purchase,” Soong noted.

Despite the prevailing “cautious mood,” the company has already sold seven units prior to the launch and has even ordered more units from England.

“The real interest for the car is very encouraging and the reaction of the market surpassed expectations,” Soong said.

Although the sales has somewhat been muted for the first half, Soong said they expect the upswing towards the end of the year.

Jaguar director for overseas operations Mick Razza said that the sales in the Asia Pacific is burdened by very high import duties.

This has been confirmed by Soong who noted that 35 percent to 40 percent of the list price for luxury vehicles goes to taxes.

Jaguar will be retiring their old XJ. In the Philippines, the old model is P2 million cheaper than the new model.

Soong said the buyers for the new model are existing Jaguar owners who love cars. “There is one segment that is very passionate about the brand. They will always buy a Jaguar either to replace an old one or to collect them,” Soong said.

The all new Jaguar XJ series pioneers the use of advanced new technologies, driver displays and infortainment systems. At the heart of the all new Jaguar XJ’s construction is a next generation application of Jaguar’s unique lightweight vehicle architecture.

JPI has been the exclusive distributor of Jaguar since 1997.