New GM for Jaguar Land Rover
November 26, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Jaguar Land Rover Australia today announced Christopher Lidis will be taking the helm from December 1 as the company’s new General Manager. Lidis replaces Dorian Lapthorne who transferred to the Jaguar Brand Manager’s role in China last September.
Jag’s Managing Director, David Blackhall said that Lidis represented the ideal combination of deep industry experience and maturity overlaid with the important leadership skills needed to guide the brand to the ‘niche premium’ positioning it is targeting over the next few years.
The new General Manager joined Ford Australia as a graduate trainee, filling many varied roles for the company, and was recently Ford’s Regional Manager. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Politics and an MBA from Macquarie.
“Chris ticked every box for us – outstanding academic qualifications, high quality Ford experience and training here and abroad, strong dealer expertise, broadening experience in the credit company and most of all a proven track record in nurturing, mentoring and managing young teams,” Blackhall said.
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“niche premium” eh? That is consistent with jag dropping the x-type and not replacing it, to concentrate on the luxury sports market. They are looking at an xf roadster and coupe generally at the boxter/cayman part of the market, which looks sweet, though where it will be positioned against the xk in Oz, I wouldnt know. I think that the photo is of the xf concept, which looks a little better than the final version.
Come on CA this is boring stuff. What about the 2 door XF coupe shots doing the rounds!
Nice gig, if you can get it!
How many cars can they sell though, it must hurt them that they are Indian owned [Nothing against Indians, but sure there is some *issue* with the old type customers]
Cheers
F-0
F-O, TATA are only looking after the finance aspect of Jag and Land Rover, I doubt have thorough input into development. I know in theory it sounds bads to be owned by a company that makes tractors and budget vehicles, but atleast Jag and Land Rover won’t be neglected, like they were when owned by Ford. Ford were/are too focused on their rubbish Lincoln “luxury” brand.
I would love to see an Austin Powers special edition. Would be great for a giggle. They might even sell a few to the eccentrics out there. Yeah Baby….
I’d be in for that – a union jack on the “shaguar” – unfortunately it’d get scratched up if people thought it belonged to a monarchist