New models drive sales growth at Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover has reported total retail sales of 45,180 vehicles in April, up 11.9% year-on-year, driven by the introduction of new models including the Range Rover Velar, Land Rover Discovery and the Jaguar E-PACE.
Retail sales for April were up significantly year-on-year in China (28.9%), the UK (25.9%), overseas markets (21.3%) and North America (2.5%) but down in Europe (-10.2%), with continuing uncertainty over diesel in the UK and Europe.
Felix Brautigam, Jaguar Land Rover chief commercial officer, said: “Retail sales in April reflect strong interest in our new models. Jaguar sales have been further boosted by the introduction of the exciting E-PACE compact SUV. There is also high demand for the new Jaguar I-PACE, the first all-electric performance SUV.
“In the month of its 70th anniversary, strong Land Rover retail sales were assisted by the completely refreshed Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line-up, including our plug-in hybrid option. Demand for the Range Rover Velar, the freshly crowned world car design of the year 2018, remains buoyant.
“It’s pleasing to see a marked improvement in the UK. This is mainly due to two all-new models now being on the market but also an artificially low April 2017 caused by taxation changes. The legislative uncertainty around diesel and the resulting lower demand in the UK and Europe continue to have a negative impact on our business.”
Jaguar retail sales were 13,289 vehicles in April, up 8% on April last year, thanks to the introduction of the E-PACE and supported by sales of the new long-wheelbase XEL from the company’s joint venture in China.
This success was partially offset by lower sales of the F-PACE and other models. The Jaguar I-PACE is now available to order with retail deliveries expected to begin this summer.
Land Rover retailed 31,891 vehicles in April, up 13.6% year on year. This was led by the introduction of the Velar and the new Discovery, partially offset by lower sales of the Evoque and Discovery Sport. Sales of the refreshed Range Rover and Range Rover Sport (including PHEVs) are still ramping up.
Jaguar Land Rover total retail sales for the calendar year-to-date were 217,889, down slightly year-on-year (-0.9%) reflecting the lower year-on-year retails in the first quarter (January-March 2018), primarily in UK and Europe.
