F-Pace continues to power Jaguar Land Rover global sales

Jaguar Land Rover says it sold 45,487 cars around the world in May, up just one per cent on the same month last year.

But the figures disguised a tale of two brands.

Boosted by the F-Pace and a solid performance from the long wheelbase Jaguar XFL made in China, Jaguar sales hit a May record with 13,613 vehicles sold, up 28 per cent on May last year.

But Land Rover sales slumped by 7.1 per cent, selling 31,874 vehicles in May. JLR blamed 'challenging conditions' in its overseas markets such as Russia, Brazil and South Africa as well as the impact of new Vehicle Excise Duty rates in the UK since April. The new Discovery has only been launched in the UK, Europe and China so far and sales of the Range Rover remain 'solid'.

Andy Goss, JLR's group sales operations director, said: "May brought yet another strong performance from the Jaguar brand, led by further encouraging sales growth in North America and China. The World Car of the Year, the Jaguar F-Pace, has become the brand’s bestseller and is up 89% on last May, while Jaguar XF sales continue to rise.

"Land Rover sales are expected to grow as the new Discovery continues to go on sale across the world. Meanwhile, the stunning new Range Rover Velar is scheduled to go on sale later this year and is already building a strong order bank."

Increasing numbers of JLR's cars are now supplied with diesel and petrol power plants made at its engine factory on the i54 site beside the M54 motorway at Wolverhampton, where 1,4000 people now work.

Retail sales across Jaguar Land Rover for May were up year-on-year in China (22.7%), and in North America (15.5%). Sales were down in Europe (6.3%) and in the Overseas region (15.0%) as economic conditions remain challenging in emerging markets. UK sales were down 11.2% as customers purchased new vehicles ahead of the increase in Vehicle Excise Duty rates effective from 1 April 2017.

Retail sales for Jaguar Land Rover were 265,381 vehicles in the first five months of 2017, up 8.3% compared to the same period last year.