Jaguar’s design chief Gerry McGovern, the man behind the controversial Type 00 EV concept, has been fired after more than two decades at the company, signaling major changes ahead for the British luxury automaker.

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Jaguar Fires Design Boss Behind Controversial EV Concept

A Radical Vision That Sparked Debate

Jaguar stunned the automotive world last year with the unveiling of the Type 00, an ultra-luxury two-door electric concept. Marketed as a preview of Jaguar’s future design philosophy, the car’s bold, chunky styling drew widespread criticism. Online commentators compared it to the Pink Panther’s ride or Barbie’s dream car, while even industry rivals joined the mockery. Tesla CEO Elon Musk sarcastically asked on X, “Do you sell cars?” in response to Jaguar’s post, and Lucid Motors also poked fun at the design.

Despite the backlash, Jaguar insisted the Type 00 represented its new design direction. The concept debuted publicly in Paris in March 2025, with plans to launch a luxury EV lineup priced around £150,000 (nearly $200,000).

Gerry McGovern’s Sudden Exit

According to reports, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief creative officer Gerry McGovern was fired this week and “escorted out of the office.” His position was eliminated immediately, with JLR declining to comment further. McGovern had been with the company for 21 years, shaping its design identity across multiple eras.

The timing is notable: just days earlier, PB Balaji, former CFO of Tata Motors, stepped in as Jaguar Land Rover’s new CEO. McGovern’s departure suggests Balaji is preparing a deeper restructuring to revive the struggling brand.

What’s Next for Jaguar?

Jaguar had planned to launch its first new EV model, a four-door GT, in mid-2026, followed by at least two more luxury electric vehicles. With McGovern gone, those plans may shift dramatically. His firing underscores the tension between radical design experimentation and the commercial realities of reviving a legacy automaker in a competitive EV market.

Conclusion

McGovern’s exit marks the end of an era for Jaguar design. Whether the company doubles down on bold concepts or pivots to safer, more conventional styling will be crucial to its survival in the luxury EV space. For now, Jaguar’s future looks uncertain, but one thing is clear: big changes are coming.

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Source: Electrek – “The man behind Jaguar’s controversial new EV has been fired”