Jaguar motors into new year with record sales

Together the prestige UK brands sold 425,006 vehicles in 2013 – up 19 per cent on 2012 – setting new sales records in 38 international markets.

In the UK, Jaguar sales were up 15 per cent and Land Rover sales were up 13 per cent.

Globally Land Rover is proving the firm favourite among customers representing the largest share of sales with 348,383 sold in 2013, an increase of 15 per cent.

But demand for the luxury Jaguar has surged over the last 12 months, almost doubling its international sales to 76,668.

Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “2013 has proven to be a very positive year for Jaguar Land Rover thanks to continuing strong demand for vehicles across the range.

“Our unrelenting focus on design, technology, innovation and quality has seen Jaguar Land Rover reach global consumers in more markets than ever before thanks to its most desirable product line-up, enriched further in 2013 by the Jaguar F-TYPE and all-new Range Rover Sport”.

The glowing sales report comes just days after the car giant launched the first phase of a recruitment drive to take on employees at its new engine manufacturing centre.

About 600 jobs will be created over the next four years at the firm’s site near Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.

More than £500m is being invested in the centre, where low-emission engines will be built. It also has design and manufacturing plants in Merseyside and Warwickshire and its head office is in Coventry.

The company said they support more than 190,000 UK jobs through the supply chain, dealer network and “wider economy”.

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: “Jaguar Land Rover is a remarkable manufacturing success story. The company faced serious problems prior to 2008 but our members in Unite and the company worked together to turn JLR’s fortunes around.

“JLR continues to take on staff, including 600 new staff at their new engine plant in the West Midlands. The manufacturer’s fantastic performance is testament to the workforce. Unite union representatives are working with employers such as JLR for quality skilled jobs in UK manufacturing.”