IN MORE normal times, we should not shed too many tears for the X-Type Jaguar. After eight years or so, it had reached the end of its commercial life in the competitive world of car making.

But these are not normal times. When the X-Type was launched, the global motor industry looked a lot different from today. Jaguar was part of Ford, General Motors bestrode the world, Austin Rover was still making cars in Longbridge.

Now Austin Rover has gone, with the rump MG operation owned by the Chinese. The General Motors that has just emerged from bankruptcy is a shadow of its former self, with its European operations up for sale. And Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by the Indian Tata conglomerate.

The thread running through all of this is that of too much manufacturing capacity to meet the reduced levels of demand. Car plants have started on a ghastly game of musical chairs, waiting to find out which ones will still have a seat when the playing stops.

We believe that Merseyside has a strong case for keeping both Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Jaguar Land Rover at Halewood in business.

There is a quality of product emerging from Halewood that should ensure its survival. That, in its turn, is the product of a skilled and flexible workforce that we would say is second to none.

In the past, Jaguar Land Rover has pledged that Halewood will continue to be a two-product factory. But the fact that the announcement has been made about the X-Type line, without a similar announcement of a new product, has left everyone suddenly worried.

We note the pledges of support from all levels. But the promise of a new model should be made as quickly as possible.