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Who was the original manufacturer of Jaguar?


Jaguar, a name synonymous with luxury and performance, has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Understanding the origins of this iconic brand provides insight into its evolution and the craftsmanship that defines its vehicles today.


Founding of Jaguar


The original manufacturer of Jaguar was the Swallow Sidecar Company, founded in 1922 by William Lyons and his business partner, William Walmsley. Initially, the company focused on producing motorcycle sidecars, but it soon expanded into the automotive industry.


The Birth of the Jaguar Brand


In 1935, the company introduced its first car, the SS Jaguar 100, which marked the beginning of the Jaguar brand as we know it today. The name "Jaguar" was adopted in 1935 to avoid the negative connotations associated with the "SS" initials, especially in the context of World War II.


Key Milestones in Jaguar's History



  • 1935: Introduction of the SS Jaguar 100, establishing the brand's reputation for performance and style.

  • 1945: Post-war production resumed, and the company was renamed Jaguar Cars Limited.

  • 1966: Jaguar merged with the British Motor Corporation (BMC), becoming part of the larger British Leyland Motor Corporation.

  • 1984: Jaguar was privatized and became an independent company once again.

  • 2000: Ford Motor Company acquired Jaguar, leading to significant investments in the brand.

  • 2008: Tata Motors purchased Jaguar from Ford, ensuring its future as a luxury automotive brand.


Conclusion


From its humble beginnings as a sidecar manufacturer to becoming a symbol of luxury and performance, Jaguar's journey is a testament to innovation and resilience in the automotive industry. Today, Jaguar continues to build on its legacy, producing vehicles that embody elegance and cutting-edge technology.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who builds Jaguar engines?


Ingenium engine family

Ingenium
ManufacturerJaguar Land Rover
ProductionJaguar Land Rover Engine Manufacturing Centre, UK: 2015–present Joint-venture – Chery Jaguar Land Rover, China: 2017–present
Layout
ConfigurationInline-3, Inline-4, Inline-6



What does SS stand for in Jaguar?


The SS Jaguar 100 is a British 2-seat sports car built between 1936 and 1939 by SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, England. The manufacturer's name 'SS Cars' used from 1934 maintained a link to the previous owner, Swallow Sidecar, founded in 1922 by Walmsley and Lyons to build motorcycle sidecars.



Who originally owned the Jaguars?


Wayne Weaver
The franchise is owned by Shahid Khan, who bought the team from its original majority owner Wayne Weaver in 2012. The Jaguars saw early success during their second through fifth seasons, which saw them make the playoff each year, win two division titles, and appear in two AFC Championship Games.



Was Jaguar ever owned by British Leyland?


In 1965, Jaguar Cars became part of British Motor Holdings Limited. Later, the group would expand and rebrand itself as the British Leyland Motor Corporation. The British Leyland Motor Corporation became nationalized in 1975 because of financial difficulties. In 1984, Jaguar became its own company again.



Is the Jaguar made by BMW?


In 2000, Rover Group was broken up by BMW and Land Rover was sold on to Ford Motor Company, becoming part of its Premier Automotive Group. Jaguar Land Rover has been a subsidiary of Tata Motors since they founded it as a holding company for the acquisition of Jaguar Cars and Land Rover from Ford in 2008.



Who owned Jaguar originally?


Who Owned Jaguar? Jaguar started as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 in Blackpool, England, manufacturing–you guessed it–sidecars for motorcycles. The founders William Lyons and William Walmsley soon renamed it S.S. Cars Limited to refocus on the growing automobile market.



Who makes Jaguar engines?


Jaguar Land Rover
The Ingenium family is a range of modular engines produced by Jaguar Land Rover, in both petrol and diesel variants.



Why did Ford sell off Jaguar?


By the time Alan Mulally took over as CEO of Ford in 2006, Premier Automotive Group had largely been losing money for years, and Mulally wanted out so that more time and money could be spent on Ford and its core brands, so he began selling off the Premier Automotive Group's automakers one by one.



Is Jaguar still owned by Ford?


The British Leyland Motor Corporation became nationalized in 1975 due to financial difficulties, but in 1984 Jaguar became its own company again. Ford Motors purchased Jaguar in 1999 and purchased Land Rover in 2000, selling both to Tata Motors in 2008.



Why did British Leyland fail?


In fact the budgets were rarely met and line management was allowed to come up with the same excuses for failure and yet retain their positions. The indulgence shown towards management failure to meet commitments was a second major reason for the failure of British Leyland.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.