Currently reading: Jaguar's baby saloon is next priority

Jaguar's global boss hints that baby saloon will take priority over upcoming crossover

A smaller saloon to rival the BMW 3-series is a bigger priority at Jaguar than developing a crossover, global brand director Adrian Hallmark has hinted.

"Even though the SUV market is growing, the saloon market is still twice the size, especially in the US," said Hallmark. "A crossover would make more noise for us than a saloon, but we already have SUVs in the company and we're not in a rush to add to that.

"You might not make as much profit on a saloon than an SUV, but you don't expect the likes of Audi stop making the A4."

Hallmark also pointed out the "successful strategy" the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes had made of expanding the appeal and profitability of their staple saloon line-ups with coupe, cabriolet and estate variants, as well as a wide range of powertrains. "You have got to be flexible in that segment," he added.

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Mark Tisshaw

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Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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Yawun 3 December 2012

Rendered picture

jonboy4969 wrote: the 3S rival looks nothing like the rendered car here

Thats a real shame, if only it was that good lookıng........

Cyborg 3 December 2012

Base priority for a new small

Base priority for a new small Jag - it has to be rear and AWD not front and AWD! Please not another Mondeo in drag debacle...

rocketscience 3 December 2012

What took them so long?

Jag should have done this years ago, judging by the popularity of BMW 3 series and Audi A4!!

+ Jag should also tap in to the audi A3 and Golf market!