JLR sales fall as cuts trigger loss of consumer confidence

JAGUAR Land Rover saw sales fall across both brands last month as buyers shunned showrooms ahead of the impending Comprehensive Spending Review.

The West Midland manufacturer was by no means the only carmaker to experience a fall in sales in September as the worry about widespread cutbacks and job losses hit consumer confidence.

For Jaguar, sales were down 12.8% in September compared to 2009, with 2,929 vehicles sold. Land Rover fared little better, seeing a 12.1% decline across the range.

In the year-to-date, sales of Jaguar are 13,133 – a 5.8% decline on 2009. However, the iconic 4×4 vehicles continue to blaze a trail with 30,790 vehicles sold so far this year, up almost 40% on the previous year.

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the Ford Fiesta was the UK’s most popular car last month, as it has been all year. However, Ford’s dominance of the list has been challenged by long-time rival Vauxhall, which has three models in the top 10 – Corsa, Astra and Insignia.

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Despite Ford’s pre-eminence, it actually saw a decline in sales last month of almost 15% year-on-year and is down 7.5% for the year-to-date. By comparison, Vauxhall was up 2.4% last month and is up 5.7% on the year-to-date.
Korean manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia, who both prospered during the scrappage scheme, saw sales fall 23.6% and 15.6% respectively last month. Both remain up in the year-to-date.

Toyota’s woes possibly contributed to a decline in sales of almost 31% last month – and the world’s biggest carmaker is down 10% for the year-to-date.

Pride of place goes to Renault, which saw sales rocket 37.4% last month and by 83% in the year-to-date, as new models tempted buyers back into the showrooms.

In the executive sector, BMW saw sales fall 4.4% last month, while rival Audi improved 5.1% and Mercedes 13.7%.

Even the evergreen Mini failed to woo buyers, falling 12.4% in September, although it remains 10% ahead for the year-to-date.

In the luxury sector, Aston Martin dipped 22.5% last month, while Bentley was up more than 42%.

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