Jaguar Land Rover success story rolls on with sales up 32%
THE global sales success of Jaguar Land Rover shows little sign of slowing down after the brand recorded a 32% increase in sales for January.
The manufacturer delivered 34,877 vehicles to customers last month with sales up across every major market. China saw growth of 74% with the Asia-Pacific region continuing the trend, up 46%.
New vehicle sales in traditional markets were also strong; up 33% in the UK and 24% in the United States. The firm even managed to buck the trend in Europe, where it saw a 10% improvement on January last year.
The growth was evenly distributed between the two marques; a major boost to Jaguar which has become used to its 4×4 stablemate occupying the spotlight.
Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover’s Director of Group Sales Operations said: “With one of the best month’s sales performances ever, both Jaguar and Land Rover brands have had a very strong start to the year. This reflects the introduction of the all-new Range Rover as well as the 2013 Model Year Jaguar XF and XJ models.”
In January, Land Rover sold 29,118 vehicles (up 31%), with increased sales of Freelander (up 57%), Range Rover (up 52% including the out-going model), Range Rover Evoque (up 32%), Range Rover Sport (up 17%) and Land Rover Discovery (up 14%). Land Rover sales were up in all major markets with record January sales in several, including the UK, USA and Germany.
Jaguar sold 5,759 vehicles in January (up by 40%), with increased sales of the XJ (up 70%) and the XF (up 37%), reflecting strong sales of the recently introduced XF Sportbrake as well as all-wheel drive and smaller engine options. Jaguar sales were up in all major markets.
The strong performance could be a precursor to further new model announcements by the Indian-owned business.
Tata Motors had already pledged to an investment of £2bn in products and facilities for the financial year to March 2013 and a similar level of investment is thought likely as the firm looks to capitalise on further global opportunities.
A new version of the Range Rover Sport is set to be announced in the spring while the summer will see the new two-seater Jaguar F-Type sports car go on sale.
There is also mounting speculation from industry analysts that the company will shortly commit to its long-term aim of producing a small Jaguar to rival BMW’s 3-Series.
It has recently committed to expanding capacity at the Castle Bromwich plant but whether this will be the eventual home of the new car remains to be seen.
