Jaguar

And now a car brand that is near and dear to my heart.
(Cause I own one...LOL)
Jaguar.

Jaguar Cars Limited is a luxury car manufacturer, based at Whitley, Coventry, with two UK production plants at Castle Bromwich, Birmingham and Halewood, Merseyside. It was founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool in 1922, changing to SS Cars Ltd in 1934 in Coventry, and finally becoming Jaguar Cars Ltd in 1945, followed by several subsequent changes of ownership.

The name is pronounced "jag-u-ar" with the term "Jag" being used colloquially.

Although many media reports stated that on 2008-03-26, Jaguar and Land-Rover became owned by the Indian company, Tata Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Tata Motors stated, in press releases on the same day, that the sale is not due for completion until the second quarter of 2008.

It is understood that Ford Motor Company Ltd. will not retain any shareholding in either the Jaguar or Land-Rover companies, unlike Aston Martin where on its sale a small shareholding was retained; the total sum to be paid in cash by Tata Motors is approximately US $ 2.3 billion, Ford will then contribute up to US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Jaguar Cars holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Charles.

Founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, by two motorcycle enthusiasts, William Lyons and William Walmsley, the SS Jaguar name first appeared on a 2.5 litre saloon in 1935. The Jaguar name was given to the entire company in 1945.

Jaguar made its name in the 1950s with a series of elegantly-styled sports cars and luxury saloons. The company bought the Daimler Motor Company (not to be confused with Daimler-Benz), in 1960 from Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). From the late 1960s, Daimler was used as a brand name for Jaguar's most luxurious saloons.