Sales records tumble across the globe as JLR success shows no sign of abating
ALREADY a record month in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover has revealed March – and the first quarter of 2013 as a whole – were record sales periods for the business globally.
During March, the company sold 53,772 vehicles, while the Q1 period saw the figure reach 115,504 – a sales performance up 16% and 17% respectively on the previous year.
Jaguar demonstrated strong growth with sales of 9,856 in March, up 28% and sales for the quarter of 20,210, up 31%. Land Rover meanwhile delivered the best single month and quarter in its 65 year history with March sales of 43,916, up 14% and Q1 sales of 95,294, up 15% versus 2012.
Phil Popham, Group Sales Operations Director for Jaguar Land Rover said: “Jaguar Land Rover has had a record breaking start to the year reflecting the continued interest in our two great brands and our commitment to delivering desirable products that resonate with customers across the globe.
“Jaguar Land Rover is seeing continued year on year growth following the introduction of new models, engines and drivetrains with the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, new Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque amongst our top selling models.”
Sales in the UK were up by 14% last month, as already reported with deliveries reaching a record 17,784 vehicles.
However, this was not the only market to see records broken; China also delivered its best ever month retailing 8,487 units collectively, up 22%. Jaguar sold a record 1,592 cars, up 91%, reflecting the new 2.0l turbo and 3.0l supercharged petrol engines in the XJ and XF. Land Rover continued its strong sales performance with 6,895 vehicles sold in the month, up 13%.
North America delivered its best March performance since 2006 with sales of 6,453, up 6%. Jaguar sold 1,554 vehicles in the territory, up 11%, primarily reflecting the XF which was up 34% for the month following the introduction of the 3.0l and 2.0l petrol engines and an all-wheel drive option. Land Rover set a March record selling 4,899 vehicles, up 5%, reflecting a new monthly sales record for the Evoque – up 47% – and continued strong demand for the outgoing Range Rover Sport.
Despite economic uncertainty, Jaguar Land Rover continued to see strong performances in Europe with sales up 11%. Both brands had record March sales in Austria and Germany. In Austria, Jaguar was up 50% and Land Rover was up 70%. In Germany, Jaguar and Land Rover were up 51% and 16% respectively, while the firm also experienced strong growth in Italy up 36% and Netherlands up 34%.
Strong sales were recorded in a number of other overseas and developing markets. Best ever months were set in Brazil, up 136%, Korea, up 74%, India, up 28% and Russia, up 9%. Best March performances were recorded in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), up 60% and South Africa up 39%.
