Jaguar Land Rover posts robust first quarter sales in China

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) China President Bob Grace has been repeating two words to describe JLR’s record sales performance for the first quarter of 2012: “Incredible” and “stunning.” “2011 was a good year for Jaguar Land Rover China, but the first quarter of 2012 has been incredible,” said Grace, who explained that sales were “significantly more than double that of the same quarter in 2011,” Grace said during an exclusive interview with China Daily. “Following a spectacular year of growth in 2011, the company successfully sustained its strong momentum well into the first quarter of 2012 by selling nearly 18,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, a new record high for its quarterly sales in this market,” he added. Deliveries of Jaguar Land Rover units in the first quarter of 2012 surpassed its full-year sales in 2009, and also contributed to significant increases in the recent fiscal year, which ended in March. During that period, JLR sold more than 52,000 units, a 76% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. The Range Rover Evoque, which was launched in China in November 2011, has been selling well, with 4,900 units sold in the first quarter of 2012. Jaguar will showcase two new models at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show as it continues to shore up its position in the country’s German-dominated luxury auto market. JLR says it wants to build a lasting relationship with its customers by offering tailor-made products and top-notch after-sales services. Grace is confident that JLR will be able to carry through with its strong sales and robust growth, and he estimates that the company will be able to sell 60,000 to 70,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in 2012. (April 19, 2012)