XE popularity crucial as Jaguar sales rise 53%

JAGUAR is dramatically outstripping its rivals as latest car registration figures show the brand enjoyed a 53% sales boost in September compared with the same month last year.

The launch of the new entry level executive saloon, the XE, is thought to be the main reason for the surge in sales, as the Solihull-produced car proves an instant hit with buyers.

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the brand sold 4,860 models in September, up 1,687 on the performance in September 2014 (3,173); an increase of 53.17%.

The growth is well above any near competitor and also means that the brand’s sales for the year to date are up almost 23% on 2014.

With a new XF due next year, alongside the new F-Pace crossover then the Big Cat has a right to be purring contentedly.

However, things are not quite so exciting for stable mate Land Rover, with the SMMT figures showing a 10% decline in vehicle sales in September.

The famous 4×4 brand sold 9,809 vehicles last month against 10,915 in September 2014; a decline of 10.13%. Nevertheless, the brand remains in positive territory for the year-to-date, with the figures showing growth of 9.7% on the first nine months of 2014.

Elsewhere, BMW also saw strong rises with the brand up 19.4% on September 2014 with 29,713 vehicles registered, while Mercedes Benz was up 18% with 27,610 cars sold.

Audi, which is preparing for the launch of a new XE-rivalling A4, was up 11.4% with 28,437 vehicles registered. Any whiff of fall-out from the Volkswagen scandal has yet to filter through.

In the luxury sector, Gaydon-based Aston Martin saw a 2.8% rise last month with 148 cars sold (2014: 144), while Bentley was down by more than a quarter with 152 cars sold (2014: 206).
    

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