Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Jaguar launches XE compact sports sedan to lure young customers
Baek Jung-hyun, right, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Korea, and singer Sung Si-kyung pose next to the new Jaguar XE sports sedan, during a launch event at the Grand Hayatt Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Korea
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
Jaguar Land Rover Korea unveiled its new premium XE compact sports sedan on Thursday.
Baek Jung-hyun, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Korea, said the Jaguar XE is the first of more than 50 new models the company plans to launch here.
“This car will be the key to our sustainable growth here,” Baek said during the launch at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seoul.
The XE is the first of a new generation of cars based on Jaguar’s Aluminum Intensive Architecture.
Lightweight aluminum is used in 75 percent of the body construction, which helps keep carbon dioxide emissions down as low as 99 grams a kilometer.
Baek said Korea is the market Jaguar’s British headquarters is focusing on.
“With average annual growth of 40 percent over the past five years, Korea now is the No.5 market for Jaguar and No.8 for Range Rover worldwide,” he said.
Baek forecasts that its vehicle sales will exceed 10,000 by the end of the year.
“The March sales topped 1,000, while we made record monthly sales in June, selling 1078,” he said. “Since we sold 4,700 cars in the first half of this year, up 59 percent from a year earlier, we expect our annual sales will surpass 10,000.”
In line with the sales increase, the British luxury automaker will expand its after-sales networks.
“For sustainable growth here, we will invest 170 billion won by 2017 to develop our infrastructure,” Baek said. “Based on the stronger infrastructure, we will spur our growth in the market.”
Jaguar Land Rover Korea plans to increase the number of its service centers to 37, from 18, as well as securing 300 work bays.
The car maker can then repair up to 1,000 vehicles a day, according to the company.
With the Jaguar XE, the company aims to lure more customers under 30, providing diverse options.
“We have studied young customers,” a company official said. “Various promotions including new car launch parties and Super Star K audition programs will be used to expand our customer base.”
The XE comes in five models. Three models have 2-liter diesel engines ― the XE R-Sport, XE Portfolio and XE Prestige ― while two ― the turbo-charged XE Prestige and V6 supercharged XE S ― are gasoline-powered.
The Jaguar XE will be available in September at prices ranging from 47.6 million to 69 million won.
The company will unveil two new Range Rover models this year, following the fully changed XF and its first cross-over the F-Pace next year.