Governor to collect new CI$125k Jag
Jaguar XJ, the same model as the governor’s new car
(CNS): A brand new white Jaguar XJ will be handed over to Governor Helen Kilpatrick Wednesday at a local car showroom in George Town where the new ride was fitted out. The flag car, which will be used by Kilpatrick and her driver while she remains in office, replaces the Lincoln Town car, which officials said was “beyond its economic life in the fleet”. The car, which normally sells for CI$124,950, cost the CIG CI$52,965, as it was purchased via the Foreign and Commonwealth office, and was delivered free by the Royal Navy support vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, last month.
“I am delighted to be the first governor to use the new flag car,” Kilpatrick said ahead of collecting the new car. “Jaguar has been leading British brand in the global motor industry since 1945. I am particularly pleased that Cayman Islands Government were able to replace the current uneconomic flag car with a vehicle that provides such good value for money.”
The governor and her driver will pick up the car at Eurocar’s Shedden Road showroom at 12 noon, Wednesday.
This latest model Jaguar has a 3.0 litre V6 300i turbocharged diesel engine that delivers impressive economy and emissions performance for a car in this class, officials stated. The governor’s flag car is the most prestigious vehicle in the Cayman Islands vehicle fleet.
Category: Community, Local News
Another nauseatingly “fair and balanced” editorial in the Compost today.
Style over substance always……..
Congratulations Her excellency the Governor!!!!
Here is praying she does not have to be taken to the hospital in the old ambulance when the air-conditioning is not working.
Can’t buy AED equipment for our police & emergency officers, to save lives but we can by a Jag for Madame Killjoy??? Poor old Cayman still believing in the great white hype!
It’s not that we can’t buy it’s that nobody has thought about it and now nobody is bothered to push it.
True.
In the last para Chris Johnson – “a 3.0 litre V6 300i turbocharged diesel engine”. Still bemused?
What a bunch of propaganda. Click on this link and see what is the MSRP for a 2015 Jaguar XJ is in the US: http://www.jaguarusa.com/all-models/xj/overview/index.html
US$75-80,000 right? Now – MSRP is NOT what a shrewd buyer will pay for a 2015 Jaguar XJ.
But anyway, allow US$3,500 for freight and the most that you’re looking at is US$80-85,000. That’s CIS67-71,000. So who created this figure of CI$124,950 to use as the base line to declare the huge savings? Obviously some brainchild who wanted to look good.
And so if we saved CI$15,000 on getting it out of the UK, the next question is: do we have to get parts for it from the UK too because the model made for the UK does not meet US EPA standards? Good chance.
And if you look at used Jaguar XJ’s on Cars.com, for my search with no price limit 61 of the 62 which come up within 50mi of my zip code are gasoline models. Why diesel, and who in Cayman is going to service a turbocharged Jaguar diesel? Shouldn’t be a problem right; there’s only zero (000) of them around. You couldn’t make this up if you tried.
But then, how could you come up with another Alden & Helen who felt their pictures needed to be displayed in all Government buildings. Perfect couple Lmao .
P.S. The only thing left now is an announcement that Julie will be getting the Town Car with a chauffeur for not opening her mouth to either the auditors or the media about her slew of alleged transgressions ROFL
8:39
Has it occur that this being the vehicle for a deplomat, the Governor of the Cayman Islands, it is a special edition maybe puller proof like the U.S. Precident car. What’ the jealousy all about?
Diplomat? What’s a “deplomat” LOL chances are the next Ivan that hits will wash this pretty car away but she won’t be on island for a major disaster anyway. If the Lincoln was not giving any issues we should have kept it, simple.
I am bemused by your article. Just where did the news item describe that the Governors car is turbo charged with a Diesel engine. Maybe I missed something. Please elicit further.
First sentence of last paragraph
I saw that but it does NOT say that this is the model acquired by the Governor. You must read articles more carefully before making comments.
er… here in the last paragraph?
“This latest model Jaguar has a 3.0 litre V6 300i turbocharged diesel engine…”
Read the article again before making further commens.
I just think it would have been nice if they supported the local economy and bought a car from one of the retailers on island. There are nice, luxury vehicles here. Does the Governors car have to be modified for specific security reasons?
in stead of Alden and his merry bunch putting the heat on her to release those reports that we paid for, they buy her a Jaguar. Well kiss my neck!
But stupid voters keep electing stupid fops; dawhayahget
They should have got her a Buick; that would have suited her just fine.
I can’t believe that this lot after all their professed austerity would do this. Stuart Jack always wanted a Jag but couldn’t get one. Helen, like Stuart, had never had a chauffeur before in life and believes that she should be driven every where she wants to go.
Say what you like about Duncan Taylor but he was pass this nonsense hence why he would get in his own car and drive to the Market-at-the Grounds on a Sat morning and mingle with the local folk.
Do you know where that is Helen? Probably not.
She gah gasboy or wha?
I wish all of you commenting so negatively would pass the same comments when your own elected leaders do the same and worse… The governor got a new car and it is a bit fancier, it is not her car, it will serve her and the next governors to come. What about the MLAs driving round in those nice SUVs with government plates with drivers, paying more for land that gov’t didn’t even need and then traveling with boyfriends I mean security around the world and wasting 1000s of dollars in high class hotels….
The car is not hers, it’s for the Cayman Islands Governors, our Governors . I hope she was forewarned of the idiots we have on this island.
Idiots like you?
The POO suvs have been the subject of derision ever since they were introduced.
The fact that we have a Govt office dedicated to table setting and flag hanging is even worse than the vehicle fleet that falls under its charge.
“Thou shalt not covet thou Governor’s car.” You all know the real reason you’re complaining is because you can’t afford one. Good Christians wouldn’t make those comments.
i hope its electric!
Ding bats? She had no choice in choosing a car. This was decided by other powers that be. It is OK. Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory. You know the rules. Stop being resentful for the lady having a few perks. If you don’t like where you live then move elsewhere. Try living elsewhere or asking other countries how many taxes they pay. Bet you would be thankful to live in Cayman.
Do you all realize that Germans, for instance, pay more than half of everything they make from their “gross” income to taxes. Gross income is income before deductions. Net income is income after taxes and insurance costs are deducted.
@$#!&…and u know this, how?
Chris Johnson is correct about the quality of British-built luxury cars in recent years, no question (he omitted Land Rover/Range Rover). But will HE’s new Jag be serviced and gassed-up by DVES? Expect expensive mechanical problems soon!! Otherwise CIG will pay heavy service fees to Vampt Motors (Jag dealer). Either way we lose!
I agree with the poster that the alleged $52k cost of the car may be dubious. FOI!!
Another curious point: British Government protocol prevents white cars from being used for Royalty, PM or other VIPs. Wonder what this means regarding Governors?
And running the old one cost less, right? New cars come with warranties, remember? Doh!
Dear Alden and Marco you forgot one thing the Grey Poupon mustard Please!!! aaaaah boy What Countreee!!
Now can we please have the reports Tempura etc. since we bought you a nice car.
Let’s be fair to all our senior lady public officials. The Speaker should be provided with a turbo charged V8 asphalt spreader so she can speedily arrange the repair of the private driveways of all her favourite constituents.
Yeah the CIG can buy the governor a car but cant develop programs to find our people work. Marco so tight about releasing funds but he released them to do this though. This country is so backwards, its own ppl sufferring but it can buy the governor a new car. I have my doubts that the 52k is the true figure paid for this car by CIG. SMH
There are plenty of jobs…jobs is not the problem. Education on the other hand…
Nice Ride!
I was seriously thinking of buying one of those – but then I saw a real deal on a Hyundai Elantra for $1500 so I bought that one instead…
CNS – would an FOI as to whether import duty was waived or reduced for HE’s Jag be in order – especially as it was brought in by Royal Navy? Wonder if there is such an allowance on the books? Meanwhile, I’ll be heading to Customs shortly to pay the 40% due on my new rig.
The CIG paid for the vehicle right? So I would guess there is no import duty since that would result in CIG paying itself…or am I missing something here?
Instead of buying cars from the FCO please ask them to pay us back the money they owe this Overseas Territory and its citizens for Tempura. Thanks!
Nice one! Now she and DimDitty from the other newspaper can setup a good ‘ol Eastern drag race. My Money’s on the new Jag.
They both ballin. Thug life.
This is very exciting and I’m so happy to see that we can now afford to up grade the Governors car. Both her and the Premier deserve totravel in style. We in cayman need to stop complaining for everything and support our leaders. The Governor is so much more than a figure head if you don’t believe me read the constitution.
Yes Debbie and why don’t you ask the same FCO for the money we spent on Tempura back. The car should be free??? I am no supporter of the opposition leader but I would bet if it was him you wouldn’t be so excited now would you? The constitution also says that governors shouldn’t interfere with our electoral process either or I guess you didn’t read that part.
the opposition leader did get new cars for him and the other cabinet ministers, TOP of the range Tahoes, that certainly cost for than 56k.
I support the governor; but every politician currently heating up our LA seats need to be put on a lil shelf somewhere – their time for leadership was expired many terms ago.
But Caymanians are hoarders – can’t let go of anything, no matter how useless and inefficient it becomes!
Yes I agree. It was time the Governor had a new car to replace the Ford. Previous Governors could be seen in Jaguars, Daimlers and a Rolls Royce. For the edification of others I would point out that Jaguar may be ultimately owned.by an Indian company but like so many upscale vehicles it is built in England like an Aston Martin, Bentley, Bristol, Rolls Royce. British motor design is outstanding and always has been. Many do not realize it but British engineers are entrenched in US motor sport with a huge amount of work done in the UK.
As to reliability I have had few problems with my 2003 XJ8 Sport and certainly no rust.
The car is a wise choice of the Governor.
It is an over the top conveyance for a glorified cocktail host.
Why do we have to make politicians and senior servants into celebrities?
I didn’t think much of Taylor but at least he drove himself or sat up front without affecting silly airs and graces.
For your edification the current Governor always is in the front passenger seat.
For your further edification the governor is neither a politician nor a civil servant.
The car is not over the top when you see high end transport driven by wannabe politicians and others. Unless you do not drive you must have seen at least one Mclaren, top speed in excess of 160 several Ferraris and other very powerful cars. Many are modified to a dangerous extent and a liability to the average road user. Try going out on the West Bay Interstate at 8am and see the wannabe Fangios hopping from lane to lane. Those drivers need study Fangio and understand what a reverse lock is, before they challenge the public.
I stand by my earlier comments. The car of choice of the Governor illustrates her choice. It is consevative and represents her position and the status of the Cayman Islands. One cannot greet foreign dignitaries in some clapped out Ford with the steering wheel on the wrong side. The fact that the present car is left hand drive is a danger in itself.
Best of luck getting that fixed when it breaks down. All the Jags I’ve come across in recent years have been plagued by annoying electrical/electronic problems.
Hmm, instead of the CIG buying toys for the governor, how about they spend some of that money to provide some of the young caymanians equipment at the boxing academy.
Oddly specific. Mom?
Really like the kids around here need to be hit in the head some more?
Yes the CIG paying the FCO for a car yes that sounds about right under this government! As if they haven’t fleece this place enough so bad they are now buying cars from them. Only you Alden only you.
It’s so silly. She is the figurehead of a place with 60k people, basically the same as a medium sized town in the U.S.. It’s comical when you see her in the car with the flag up.
Get rid of this ridiculous governor concept, sell the beachfront land (maybe with 12 million) and the annual expense
I’m sure Dart would love to buy that piece of land, but then you would complain about that too.
From the sound of it, the author of this comment is not from around here so I will share some perspective. As we are a British Overseas Territory, HE the Governor is the Queen’s representative in Cayman. The old car was a joke so it had to go. I would have preferred that they replaced it with a Rolls or Bentley, but a Jag will do. As for your reference to the small towns in the US, how many of them can match the financial reputation of Cayman? Also, the property doesn’t need to be sold but the house itself needs an upgrade. It’s like one of those rich houses you see in an old Bruce Lee movie filmed in china. Very antiquated.
sure wish i was her driver
easier than the duties of the Speakers driver {{shudder}}
Is the speakers driver the ubiquitous Paul who spent thousands on accommodation on the Brac? Money straight from government coffers?
yep, his accommodation was paid as part of his “duties”
Its the other part of his duties that I don’t want to think about
You’ve just spoiled my coffee…
Maybe she ought to take the bus like many others.
And wait till some idiot crash to this car as there is lawless drivers out there!
Jag is no longer a British brand. It is owned by Tata, the Indian multinational.
Jaguar is Indian owned but it’s still a British brand. The XJ is British designed and manufactured.
Got to get to know dat Lady, good taste in wheels!!