Jaguar advanced seven positions in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates SSI (Sales Satisfaction Index) Study to place at number 1 in the industry ranking.

The SSI Study is based on responses from nearly 40,000 buyers and lessees of new vehicles in the United States, and measures the quality of the customer's new vehicle purchase experience.

"The result of the SSI study is very rewarding, both for Jaguar and our dealers," said Mike O'Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. "It is evidence of our commitment to deliver a first-class purchase and ownership experience and reflects the intense focus we all have on delighting our customers. Jaguar is distinguished by its style and performance, and these attributes are reflected in the service offered by all of our dealers".

Progress in this latest survey, in which another manufacturer tied with Jaguar at number 1, follows excellent results in other recent J.D. Power and Associates studies. In the 2004 Initial Quality Study, Jaguar moved up to become the highest-ranked European car manufacturer for vehicle quality and dependability, improving its performance by 20% over the previous year.