JAGUAR has restructured its corporate sales team and cut dealer margins in a move designed to improve its service to fleet customers. At the same time, prices are set to rise by an as yet unconfirmed amount and spec levels enhanced across the range.

The dealer margin is reduced from 8.5% to 7.5% which Jaguar says should help keep list price rises to a minimum. 1997 model year changes include: new rear seat incorporating central three point seatbelt and flatter cushion; new colours; electrochromic mirror standard on Daimler and optional on Jaguar; 20-spoke alloy wheels on XJ6 3.2; standard air conditioning on XJ 3.2 Sport; wood and leather steering wheel standard on XJR and XJ 4.0 Sport as well as XJ Executive; the XJ12 model is deleted.

Christine Downton - formerly Christine Epps - continues as corporate sales manager covering all corporate companies and liaising with Jaguar Financial Services' field force, ACFO members and the dealers, regional managers and outside agencies. She will also be involved in organising the corporate demonstration fleet.

John Cleaver will become more involved with leasing, rental and fleet management companies, covering their whole operations while continuing his function of aftersales manager. He will liaise with BVRLA members, maintenance controllers, dealers, regional managers and the factory service departments, cost of ownership providers and the National Association of Funeral Directors.

Pat Smart will concentrate more on police and special sales while continuing to offer his experience to long-term contacts including the police, government, Royals, diplomatic and armed service accounts, plus those in the fleet associations, publications, special equipment suppliers and the motor trade.