The UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles is today celebrating a strong global sales performance for 2010 with retail sales up 19 pc collectively thanks to strong market performances from the UK, United States and China. Jaguar Land Rover sales were up for every quarter versus 2009 thanks to new model introductions and freshening programmes.
Land Rover delivered a very strong performance in the majority of its 102 markets with retail sales up 25 pc globally. The brand's top five markets were the UK, United States, China, Italy and Russia which accounted for 66 pc of sales alone. Notable product performances were delivered by Discovery 4/LR4 up 45 pc, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport up 30 pc and Freelander 2 up 21 pc.
Commenting on Land Rover's Sales Performance Global Brand Director John Edwards said: "2010 remained a challenging year for the automotive sector and yet, against this backdrop Land Rover delivered a powerful global performance throughout the year with March the highlight when we achieved our best ever sales month in history. Our updated model line up and the debut of the Range Rover Evoque has created a real buzz around the brand and customers are clearly delighted with our offerings."
Jaguar's sales for the year were equal to that of 2009, with the launch of the XJ sedan and the cessation of the X-TYPE dramatically bringing the brand's sales mix more upmarket. The brand's top five markets were the UK, United States, Germany, China and Italy which combined equated to 74 pc of sales for the year. The XF continued to do well with sales globally up 8 pc and the new XJ has been well received internationally, particularly in the U.S. which accounts for almost 40 pc of sales.
Commenting on Jaguar's Sales Performance, the Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark said: "This year saw the completion of a revitalised Jaguar line up with the critically acclaimed new XJ. Jaguar now has a very strong stable of products which are clearly capturing the public's imagination. The environment remains tough but I am cautiously optimistic for the coming year."
2010 has proved a fruitful year for the brands who collectively received over 80 awards from leading international motoring writers, magazines and opinion formers. Amongst those worthy of particular note include Automobile Magazine's '2011 Design of the Year' and Top Gear's 'Luxury Car of the Year' for the XJ and 'Car of the Decade' for the Range Rover as voted the by readers of autocar.co.uk.
In the year Jaguar completed its revitalized product line-up with the new XJ, it has seen positive sales growth from all three of its current models the XK, XF and XJ.
Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK said: "The all-new XJ has achieved segment leadership despite only going on sale in May 2010. Meanwhile, our volume model the XF, which was launched in 2008, has seen its best ever sales year and is up 25 pc versus 2009. The XK is up 15 pc in 2010 - double that of sector growth.”
He added: "Desirable new models, competitive offers and a cut-through TV advertising campaign for XF and XJ are helping to drive retail sales.
"We have also undertaken some incredibly successful partnerships in 2010, most notably with the ECB and the Ashes-winning cricket team. Since we started our association with the team they have been on a winning streak and the response from dealers and customers has been incredibly positive. We look forward to welcoming them home.”
In the UK, 12,687 XF were sold in 2010 compared to 10,112 the previous year, up 25 pc in a segment that experienced growth of 19 pc.
Sales of the XK grew more than double its sector trend with 1641 cars sold compared with 1,430 in 2009, an overall improvement of 15 pc.
Meanwhile, the all-new XJ that was named Top Gear Luxury Car of the Year, has achieved segment leadership despite only going on sale in May 2010.
In the UK, retail pricing of the XF range now starts at £31,900 for the 3.0-litre diesel 211 PS engine Executive Edition, with the 240PS 3.0-litre Diesel at £35,900 and the high performance 275 PS 3.0-litre Diesel S at £39,900. The top of the range XFR is available from £64,400. The XK range starts at £63,900 for the 5.0 n/a V8 petrol and the XKR starts at £77,900. The new XJ is priced from £55,500.