JONATHAN Browning has been appointed managing director of Jaguar following several months of senior management changes. Earlier this year, Ford formed a new luxury car group, which resulted in a major management reshuffle with Dr Wolfgang Reitzle becoming chairman of Jaguar and group vice-president of Ford's Premier Automotive group.

Reitzle took on many of the responsibilities of former chairman and chief executive officer of Jaguar Nick Scheele, who became senior vice-president of Ford Europe.

Browning's promotion to Jaguar managing director from Ford's executive director, marketing, in Ford's European marketing, sales and service organisation, takes effect from July 1. He and Reitzle will share the duties once handled by Scheele. Mike Beasley continues as executive director with responsibility for Jaguar's manufacturing and engineering.

The changes come as Jaguar celebrates its highest ever monthly worldwide and UK sales following the launch of the S-Type, with sales in the Uk rocketing 66% from the 946 cars sold during May last year to 1,569 this year. Worldwide sales were 69% up - even before the S-Type goes on sale in Japan.