The Eight Slowest-Selling Cars - Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK - 2137 sales
Jaguar euphemistically characterizes 2010 as a "stable" year for the XK coupe and convertible, even though sales dropped six percent versus 2009. The current version of the XK was introduced for model-year 2007, replacing the older XK8 and XKR. The base XK is powered by a 385-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine, whereas the hot XKR packs a supercharged 510-horsepower punch. Raw power aside, the XK and XKR are genuinely attractive cars, with just a hint of Aston Martin influence in the wide haunches and curvaceous front end. They were styled by Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum, whose pen was also responsible for the XF and XJ sedans. The inside is similarly upscale, with sumptuous leather seats, an assortment of wood veneers, and an array of electronic gadgets. None of that appears to have swayed American buyers, who took home just 2137 units of the XK -- that figure includes coupes, convertibles, and the hot XKR -- in 2010. Although Jaguar sold just 13,340 vehicles in the U.S. overall, the XK still struggles to attract checkbooks. Among the possible explanations is the fact that Jaguar is still plagued by a reputation for glitchy electronics and dubious reliability, which certainly doesn't encourage buyers -- even though recent J.D. Power surveys say quality has been improving. The brand also has a large following in states subject to snow in winter, where high-powered sports coupes and convertibles are impractical choices. Finally, the XK's rear seats are unusable for anyone with legs, whereas both the sporty XF and luxurious XJ can comfortably transport five adults.