China gives Jaguar a sales boost
A HUGE appetite for Jaguar Land Rover cars in China offset fewer sales in the UK, America and elsewhere in the world last month.
The Coventry car firm, which generates almost 80 per cent of its revenue from exports, sold 46,074 vehicles in July, up 3.6 per cent on July 26.
And although retail sales were down one per cent in the UK, three per cent in North America and six per cent in other overseas markets, they were up 34 per cent year-on-year in China.
The Chinese figures reflect the introduction there of the long wheelbase Jaguar XFL, as well as strong sales of the Jaguar F-Pace, Discovery Spot and Evoque.
Andy Goss, Jaguar Land Rover’s group sales opera- tions director, said: “July has been another successful month for Jaguar Land Rover, particularly in China, where we reinforced our commitment to the market by opening our new engine plant in Changshu on July 21.
“Year on year, we have seen an increase in sales for Land Rover, led by continuing strong sales of the Discovery Sport and Range Rover.
“The new Range Rover Velar has already reached customers in the UK and Europe and we anticipate continued strength of sales as Velar continues to go on sale around the world.”
Jaguar sales reached 12,964 vehicles in July, down two per cent on July 2016, while Land Rover retailed 33,110 vehicles in July, up six per cent year on year, reflecting the sales of the new Discovery and Range Rover as well as the introduction of the new Range Rover Velar.
Jaguar Land Rover is investing in excess of £4 billion annually to extend its model range and manufacturing footprint, including the investment in a new plant in Slovakia and recently launched models including the new Discovery, Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar XF Sportbrake as well as forthcoming models including Jaguar’s new compact performance SUV the E-PACE.
Over the past seven years, Jaguar Land Rover has more than doubled sales, employment and revenue and invested more than £16 billion in new product creation and capital expenditure.