Jaguar Land Rover hits new world record for car sales

The company, which now has its engines made at the i54 near Wolverhampton, achieved full year global sales of 583,313 vehicles.

Since 2009 JLR's sales have almost tripled and Jaguar sold a record-breaking 148,730 vehicles in 2016, up 77 per cent on the year.

Land Rover's figures of 434,583 were up eight per cent year-on-year.

The group sold more than one car every minute in 2016, which was the company's seventh successive year of growth in sales.

Performance

Sales in December were up 12 per cent compared to the same month last year at 55,375 with volume sales up 36 per cent for the month in China – its strongest monthly performance on record.

The annual figures showed record sales in the UK, North America and Europe which was the company's largest sales region in 2016 with annual sales of 138,695, up 26 per cent.

year-on-year

The growth for China was 31 per cent, North America 25 per cent and the UK 17 per cent where a total of 117,571 Jaguars and Land Rovers were bought by UK customers in the UK – its best full-year results in the company's history.

Andy Goss, of JLR group sales operations director, said: "This has been a significant year for Jaguar Land Rover, with updated models being introduced across the range, as well as the completely new Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Jaguar F-PACE. It is particularly pleasing to see the Jaguar brand setting impressive new sales records."

Mr Goss said customer response had been very positive this year, resulting in record retail sales across most of its key regions.

"These results mark significant steps in Jaguar Land Rover's strategy to become a truly global business and meet the growing international demand for its two iconic brands.

"I am confident that in 2017 our British line-up will continue to expand and delight in markets across the world."

Jaguar sales were primarily driven by sales of the Jaguar F-PACE, XE and XF. These new models have propelled Jaguar to become the fastest growing premium brand in the US, outpacing the industry by 116 per cent.

Globally, F-PACE sales were especially strong, with 45,973 sold throughout the year. Jaguar received 71 awards in 2016 for its products, with the F-PACE amassing more than a third of these – including Car of the Year by Auto Express. In November, the Jaguar XF won Germany's top car award, the Golden Steering Wheel, after being voted 'best saloon'

in the mid to full-size category.

For Land Rover the best-seller for the year was the Discovery Sport, retailing 122,460 vehicles, up 76 per cent. Also notable were sales of the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport, selling a total of 200,245 vehicles. In 2016, Land Rover received 83 awards for its products, with the Discovery Sport taking home an impressive 33 of these.

During the year the company celebrated 201 global awards, which included becoming the UK's largest vehicle manufacturer and being named Britain's manufacturer of the year at the Made in the UK Awards.