Tata! Jaguar-Land Rover Sales Climbing

Cammy Corrigan
by Cammy Corrigan

When Ford let Jaguar-Land Rover go, the betting odds on Tata’s prospects with the perpetually-mired firm were not exactly in its favour. Now it seems that Tata might have bought low, as JLR starts to turn a corner. The Liverpool Daily Post reports that the Jaguar-Land Rover group, owned by Tata Motors, had worldwide sales rise 30% last month. Wholesale and retail sales both showed strong growth. A spokesman said: “Despite the continuing economic uncertainty, we are seeing improved economic stability in most markets, especially the UK and China.”

Land Rover sold 13140 vehicles to end customers, up 26.9% from November 2008 and Jaguar sold 4,389 vehicles, up 16.7%. However, for the year to date, Jaguar retail sales were down 23.8% and Land Rover was down too at 26.2%. But could this be the start of a better future? Sales of the XF are brisk, the new XJ is receiving good reviews, the X-Type has been euthanised, a new “baby” Land Rover will create 800 new jobs and sales are good in China, a key player in the global economy. Looks like it’s not time to write Jaguar-Land Rover off, just yet.

Cammy Corrigan
Cammy Corrigan

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  • Mtymsi Mtymsi on Dec 19, 2009

    Under Ford ownership the S type was left on the market for far too long letting sales dwindle to almost nothing and the XJ was completely redesigned but barely had any appearance differentiation from the previous model, a huge mistake that resulted in dismal sales of that model. IMO Ford just made the same mistake with the 2010 Mustang which is also all new body panels except the roof and barely looks any different than the previous model. As far as leaving models unchanged on the market for far too long Lincoln is probably the poster boy for it. Ford has proven beyond a doubt they are completely clueless running a luxury brand despite their successes in other areas. Is it really that hard to figure out styling needs to be updated on a regular cycle for any vehicle let alone a luxury one? Apparently for Ford it is.

  • VLAD VLAD on Dec 19, 2009

    With Jeep dying a slow death under Chrysler - Fiat, maybe Tata can take manufacture and engineering of the Land Rover out of the UK and improve quality. They surely would take some market share. I hear that lots of brand new Wrangler auto gearboxes are catching fire in China. Even a few in the US.

  • Ra_pro Ra_pro on Dec 19, 2009

    The difference between Ford and Tata is that Ford is old and tired, its arteries are clogged, bones ossified. Tata is young and full of enthusiasm coupled with a vision and faith in the future. In the end it may or may succeed but it won't be for the lack of trying. JLR with Ford would die a sure death of old age with Tata it may be be reborn.

  • Rnc Rnc on Dec 21, 2009

    The reason they are making money is the devaluation of the pound sterling. The only times in recent history that either J or LR had made money is related to this and that will only last as long as england has to issue massive debt, once global finance comes back (taxes) and debt issuance drops, pound will rise, profitability will dissappear again . Long term, you can probably manufacture the Range Rover and XJ cars in England, but everything else needs to be moved.

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