Jaguar, Land Rover Cut Ads in Gay Publications

Ford Motor Co. said its luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands would no longer advertise in gay publications, but the nation’s second-largest automaker denied that it had made the decision under pressure from conservative Christian groups.

Ford spokesman Mike Moran said Jaguar and Land Rover, part of Ford’s money-losing Premier Automotive Group, were cutting back on advertising everywhere because of difficult market conditions. Ford’s Volvo brand will continue advertising in gay publications.

Ford’s move came nearly a week after Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Assn. canceled a Ford boycott that began in May, when the group criticized Ford for being too gay-friendly.