Jaguar poised to be 'replaced by Audi as next PM to be driven in German car rather than British'

Jaguar poised to be 'replaced by Audi as next PM to be driven in German car rather than British'
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Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 30/08/2022

- 11:26

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:42

Ministers are believed to be outraged by the image the move portrays to British manufacturers

Stringent security measures are set to see the new Prime Minister without the iconic British-made Jaguar when being chauffeured.

Instead, the leader of the country will reportedly find themselves in a German-made Audi, as supply issues impact the "Grade 7" Metropolitan Police protection afforded to them.


Measures in place to protect the Prime Minister also include 24-hour bodyguards and a fleet of armoured Range Rovers and Jaguar XJs.

After a pause in Jaguar production due to a fall in orders triggered by the pandemic, it appears top ministers and the Prime Minister will have to make do with Audi R8s.

The Jaguar has come under attack before, for example in 2020, when a protester ran in front of it, causing a dent.
The Jaguar has come under attack before, for example in 2020, when a protester ran in front of it, causing a dent.
Victoria Jones

Ministers are said to be outraged about the message it portrays to British manufacturers.

One cabinet minister told The Sun that "anti-Brexit bureaucrats hiding behind a value-for-money smokescreen" are to blame.

Jaguar has provided the PM's car for over three decades, and employs more than 40,000 workers in its UK factories.

No10 last night said that the matter is for the Metropolitan Police to contend with.

A No10 source told the newspaper: “The Government Car Service only use British manufactured cars and there are no plans to move away from championing British industry.

“Any decisions on changing vehicles for ministers would be a decision for the Met and factor in any wider security concerns.”

The move to Jaguar came in the early 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher opted to move away from the Rover P5, which had been in favour by British PMs for two decades beforehand.

Boris Johnson's Jaguar leaves the Houses of Parliament
Boris Johnson's Jaguar leaves the Houses of Parliament
Aaron Chown

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