Originally Published 11 December 2003

On Tuesday Ancillary Services welcomed the arrival of their new University vehicle. The slate blue 4.2-litre Jaguar XJ8 se is replacing the University’s current ‘first’ car, a two-year old Audi with over 70,000 miles on the clock. The Audi will fall back in to ‘second position’ and will be used for a further two years.

As the vehicles are heavily used it’s normal to have two cars in rotation, and it’s necessary to change them routinely every two years.

The new Jaguar has been leased from the company and has come direct from the manufacturers at Browns Lane in Coventry. Leasing the vehicle, as opposed to buying it, will save the University £8500 per annum.

A number of local vehicle manufacturers were approached including Rover and Jaguar who offered the best deal. It seems fitting to use a Jaguar car given the University’s close links with the Premier Automotive Group (PAG). Sir Nick Scheele, the University’s Chancellor, is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ford Motor Company and his previous positions have included Chairman and CEO of Jaguar Cars Ltd. The Premier Automotive Group, Ford Motor Company's premium vehicle group, manufacturing Jaguar and Land Rover, has recently invested heavily in The University of Warwick's new International Automotive Research Centre, opened in April 2003.

The car will be used as Senior Officer’s transportation. Wilf Davies, the University’s Senior Driver, explains “During the next four years this car will definitely be proving its worth and earning its keep. We believe that we’ve got the best deal that we could whilst supporting local industry.”