Jaguar Transitions to EVs: Prioritizing SUV, End for XE, XF, F-Type Production

Mar 04, 2024 08:27 PM EST

JAGUAR SPORTS CAR FAST AUTOMOBILE — (Photo : PIXABAY/VariousPhotography)

Jaguar is moving toward producing only SUVs as part of its shifting production plan. An important milestone in the brand's transition to an all-electric luxury automobile portfolio is stopping production the F-Type sports car and the XE and XF saloons at the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham. Jaguar is dedicated to giving the E-Pace, F-Pace, and electric I-Pace SUVs top priority while establishing the framework for a full shift away from internal combustion engines by 2025.

Transitions to EVs: No More XE, XF, F-Type Production Soon

Jaguar's upcoming shift in car models doesn't mean an immediate end for their SUV lineup. The brand intends to maintain production of the E-Pace, F-Pace, and the innovative I-Pace, its first all-electric model, until the conclusion of 2024.

According to Robb Report, as the production of all six vehicles gradually tapers off, Joe Eberhardt, CEO of parent company JLR in North America, assured that sufficient inventory will be accessible to meet demand until the arrival of their new waves of EVs in both European and U.S. markets.

The F-Type sports car, the XE and XF saloons are the three distinct vehicles that Jaguar makes. Four years ago, the XE was no longer offered for sale in the US. They feature ordinary gasoline engines, and reports state that production is scheduled to end in June at the Castle Bromwich factory.

While the XF and F-Type are still being sold in the US, it is purported that these vehicles are built to pre-established specs, which restricts the amount of personalization that customers can choose from.

This Is Money report cited a recent interview with Road & Track magazine, Jaguar's North American CEO Joe Eberhardt revealed that car production at Castle Bromwich is set to halt in the near future. Eberhardt emphasized that while the majority of their products will cease production in June, they will remain available for purchase for an extended period beyond that.

Their production schedule is structured to maintain a consistent flow of vehicles until the arrival of the new car models.

Jaguar's First New Car as It Goes Electric

Following the confirmation from JLR UK, the Castle Bromwich site is set to cease car production in June, limiting customer access to its saloon, estate, and sports car models from existing inventory. A spokesperson for JLR emphasized the shift towards an electric future, stating that Jaguar's current production at the Castle Bromwich site will conclude in June 2024.

The company's UK production facilities are undergoing reconfiguration to facilitate the manufacturing of JLR's next generation electric models, with the stampings operation at Castle Bromwich expanding to produce body panels for all brands. Jaguar is preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter as a purely electric modern luxury brand, with production slated to commence at the Solihull facility from 2025.

According to PA Monitoring, the three models are currently accessible for purchase and ordering through the Jaguar website. However, customers are unable to customize their configurations, indicating a standardized production approach. This shift will result in Jaguar's lineup being exclusively comprised of SUVs, with the F-Pace, E-Pace, and I-Pace standing as the sole remaining cars in the company's range starting from June.

The electric I-Pace is produced by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, while the F-Pace is still made in JLR's Solihull facility. The smaller E-Pace is produced alongside the I-Pace in Austria, as well as at a secondary site in China.

Historically, the Castle Bromwich factory served as the production hub for Spitfire and Lancaster planes during the Second World War, before transitioning to British Leyland ownership. Subsequently, Jaguar assumed control, revitalizing the facility and introducing a variety of vehicles such as the S-Type and XJ.