Jaguar XF outsells Audi A6 (UK)

Jaguar’s XF saloon is continuing to steal sales from rivals, despite the weak new car market.

Figures obtained show that the XF is outselling all of its saloon rivals in the UK and the margin is growing. It took 60% of the UK’s executive saloon market in July; earlier this year it was closer to 50%.

“We’ve been working on residuals and keen pricing and equipment levels and that’s continuing to work for us,” says Jaguar. The company reckons it operates in about 30% of the executive market, because it doesn’t offer an estate or four-cylinder diesel model. To the end of July, the XF is third overall favourite executive car despite being available only as a 4 door.

It produced 5,653 registrations, ahead of the Audi A6 with 5,000 (includes estate variants). The BMW 5-Series with 7,900 sales lead the way. The Mercedes E-Class sold 5,700, putting it in second place.

Launch of Mini Crossman delayed

BMW has confirmed it will not be showing a production version of its Mini Crossover until 2010 at the earliest. At the Frankfurt motorshow this month, it will be showing two new concepts; the Mini Coupe concept and the Mini Roadster concept.

The baby crossover, rumoured to be called the Crossman, was first seen as a concept car at the Paris motorshow last year. It will be the fourth production model in Mini’s line-up.

A BMW Mini spokesman told media in the U.S: “The Crossover launch has been pushed back as we wish to first explore differentiation within future Mini smaller models and get feedback.”

The production launch is likely to take place at the Geneva motorshow in Spring 2010.

Hyundai i20 production shifts from India (EU)

Hyundai plans to shift more than a third of its i20 production to Europe from India by the middle of 2010, according to the firm’s Indian managing director.

H.S. Lheem said production of around 70,000 cars would move to Europe in order to get tax benefits. Hyundai currently has the capacity to make around 200,000 units per year in India.

Lheem refused to confirm which plant in Europe the i20 would be built, although it is likely to be at the firm’s Turkish plant. As India is a right-hand drive market, the move won’t affect any cars destined for the UK, so production will carry on as normal.

He said Hyundai’s sales in India were expected to increase to 580,000 in 2009, up from 490,000 sold last year.