Major Shake-Up at Jaguar: Type 00 Controversy Leads to Design Boss Being Removed

Jaguar Land Rover’s long-time creative design chief, Gerry McGovern, has been abruptly removed from his position, marking a significant shift within the company. McGovern, who spent more than two decades shaping JLR’s design direction, was the visionary behind major successes such as the Range Rover Evoque and the modern Defender. Yet a recent controversy seemed to accelerate his departure.

The catalyst appears to be the highly criticized Jaguar Type 00 concept, which was intended to symbolize Jaguar’s all-electric future. Instead, the design drew harsh backlash, with many arguing that it strayed far from the brand’s premium heritage and pushed Jaguar into an identity crisis. The concept became widely mocked online, igniting debate both inside and outside the company.

The timing is especially notable: the move came shortly after JLR’s new CEO, P.B. Balaji, assumed leadership. Reports claiming McGovern was “escorted out of the building” suggest this was far more than a routine management reshuffle and may hint at deeper strategic disagreements.

Although JLR has yet to release an official statement, McGovern’s departure signals that substantial changes may be underway for the company’s design philosophy. With the competition intensifying in the premium electric vehicle segment, Jaguar may be preparing to redefine its aesthetic direction and market positioning. The shake-up strongly indicates that a new era in the brand’s design strategy is about to begin.