Latest figures show JLR’s China problems continue

JAGUAR Land Rover’s latest sales figures have revealed a further slide in the company’s fortunes.

February sales were down by 4.1 per cent for the Coventry car maker compared to the same month in 2018.

That meant Jaguar Land Rover sold 38,288 less vehicles than in February 2018.

Jaguar Land Rover said the sales slide was down to continued “weak customer demand” in China, where sales were down by 47.6 per cent.

Slow sales in what had become its biggest market continue to be Jaguar Land Rover’s main issue, though it is also coping with declining demand for diesel vehicles closer to home and ongoing uncertainty over Brexit.

Sales were also affected by the ‘run out’ of the old Range Rover Evoque.

It is being replaced by an all-new model and the car maker said it has high hopes that will boost overall sales figures over the months ahead.

Jaguar Land Rover also said it was encouraged by sales figures for the Jaguar I-Pace, Jaguar E-Pace and the refreshed Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

February saw the unveiling of a heavily refreshed Jaguar XE and March got off to a good start for the company, with the Jaguar I-Pace winning the coveted European Car of the Year accolade.

The other good news was that sales rose significantly in both North America (25.4 per cent) and the UK (11.3 per cent).

Even the European market saw a small rise of 1.1 per cent.

Unusually Jaguar proved the more successful marque in February.

Jaguar figures for February saw 12,235 vehicles sold, up 5.8 per cent year-on-year.

Land Rover sales of 26,053 represented an 8.1 per cent year-on-year decline.

The company said Land Rover was hit harder by the situation in China.

Jaguar Land Rover’s chief commercial officer Felix Brautigam said: “In the face of ongoing macro-economic challenges being felt by the automotive industry, particularly in China, our strong sales growth in North America, UK and Europe reflect continued demand for our exciting product line-up and two strong brands.

“Encouragingly, all three regions posted sales growth against an industry decline.

“In North America high customer demand even resulted in the region’s best ever February sales numbers.

“Demand for the sporty compact E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace powered growth for the Jaguar brand in key regions.

“After many awards and media accolades from around the world seeing the I-Pace named European Car of the Year makes us very proud.

“This recognition highlights an appreciation for Jaguar’s innovation by automotive experts and customers alike - as it was in its founding years.

“We also expect a further boost with the refreshed XE coming to market now, which turned out almost like a new car and definitely worth a close look.

“Despite strong sales of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, we saw a dip in sales for the Land Rover brand during the month.

“However, we can expect improvement as we launch the all new refined, compact yet sophisticated Range Rover Evoque.”