Luxury car maker enjoys better third quarter after overcoming supply disruption issues

Third quarter sales volumes for luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) showed an improvement on the second quarter which was impacted by supply disruption.

The manufacturer suffered a temporary aluminium supply constraint which restricted production in the quarter, to September 30, 2024.

The group, which has plants in Halewood, Merseyside, and at Castle Bromwich and Solihull in the West Midlands, has published its sales for the three month period to December 31, 2024.

Wholesale volumes of 104,427 units in the third quarter of FY25 – excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China JV – were up three per cent compared with the same quarter a year ago and up 20% compared with the prior quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Compared with the prior year, wholesale volumes were higher in North America (+44%) and Europe (+six per cent), and lower in China (‑38%), the UK (‑17%) and Overseas (‑one per cent). Wholesale volumes for the financial year to date were 289,485, down one per cent compared with the prior year.

Retail sales of 106,334 units in the third quarter – including the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China JV – were down three per cent compared with Q3 FY24 and up three per cent compared with Q2 FY25.

Retail sales for the financial year to date were 320,622, up one per cent compared with the prior year.

Wholesale sales are the finished cars JLR sells as a business, as opposed to retails which are vehicles customers buy from retailers.

The overall mix of the most profitable Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender models increased to 70% of total wholesale volumes.

In the quarter, demand for Range Rover was particularly strong with wholesale volumes up 48% compared with Q2 FY25, partly due to the resolution of temporary supply chain disruptions, but also up 22% compared with the same quarter a year ago, representing continued strong demand. 

JLR will report its full financial results for this third quarter period, showing profit and loss,  at the end of this month.