January 14, 2013: Jaguar Land Rover has announced its best-ever global sales performance, with retail sales up 30 percent following strong market performances from the UK, China and the US. In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sales (357,773 vehicles) were up in every major market due to new model introductions and update programmes.
China is now Jaguar Land Rover's largest market delivering its best ever sales performance in 2012 (71,940, up 71 percent). It is followed by the UK (68,333 up 19 percent), USA (55,675, up 11 percent), Russia (20,549, up 43 percent) and Germany (16,722, up 41 percent).
At the North American International Motor Show in Detroit, Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover's director of Group Sales Operations, said: "2012 has been a strong year for Jaguar Land Rover with record breaking sales performance globally. All of our key markets saw strong progress, with demand for our premium vehicles setting new records in a very competitive environment. Looking ahead to 2013, we are continuing to invest in our business to support our ambitious plans for growth and we will be introducing eight new or refreshed products throughout the year."
2012 a record-breaking year for Land Rover
Land Rover delivered a very strong performance in its 177 markets with retail sales up 36 percent globally. The brand's top five markets were China, the UK, United States, Russia and Italy which accounted for 65 percent of sales alone. Notable product performances were delivered by the Range Rover Evoque with 108,598 vehicles sold in its first full year of sales -- more than any other previous Land Rover model. Land Rover has also seen strong performances from its Land Rover Discovery 4/LR4 (up 3 percent), Range Rover Sport (up 4 percent) and first deliveries of the all-new Range Rover have now commenced.
Commenting on Land Rover's sales performance, Global Brand Director John Edwards said: "2012 was an excellent year for Land Rover; we delivered a powerful global performance throughout the year across all markets, with the highlight being that we have sold more vehicles this year than ever before in our 65-year history. Our updated model line-up and the debut of the new Range Rover have created a real buzz around the brand with customers clearly delighted with our offerings."
Jaguar sales increase
Jaguar's sales for the year were up 6 percent compared to 2011. The launch of the XF 2.2 Diesel, XF and XJ 3.0-litre powertrains and the introduction of various new derivatives including the XF Sportbrake has widened the brand's portfolio and geographic reach. The brand's top five markets were the UK, the US, China, Germany and Russia which combined equated to 71 percent of sales for the year. The XF continues to do very well with sales globally up 13 percent and the introduction of the new XJ and XF All Wheel Drive have been well received internationally, particularly in the U.S.
Commenting on Jaguar's sales performance, Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark said: "This year saw the completion of a revitalised Jaguar line-up. We now have a very strong desirable range of products which are clearly capturing the public's imagination. We plan to continue growing in 2013 with the stunning new F-Type."
Jaguar Land Rover has also confirmed that it will create up to 800 new jobs at its advanced manufacturing facility in Solihull, UK, to support the introduction of new model programmes throughout 2013.More than 200 of these roles are supported by the UK Government's Regional Growth Fund.
It has also confirmed a US$600 million (Rs 3,287.7 crore) investment programme for its Solihull site that includes installation of an all-new aluminium body-shop for the new Range Rover and also upgrades to its paint application technologies, trim assembly, warehousing and JLR’s first customer handover centre.
JLR is also working on plans to extend its global production footprint particularly in India and China. CKD assembly of the Land Rover Freelander started in India last year.