The Hindu Business Line : ‘Uptrend in Land Rover, Jaguar sales’

Mumbai, Jan 3 Ford is handing the keys of Land Rover and Jaguar to the Tata group when the fortunes of both the marquees are turning bright, according to a Ford official.

May post record sales

“When the final figures of annual sales are out, Land Rover will have succeeded in achieving record sales for the third consecutive year. The annual sales of 2007 will be in excess of2.25 lakh,” Mr Don Hume, Director of Corporate and Government Communication, Land Rover and Jaguar, told Business Line. “Jaguar has sold 60,000 and the recovery plans for the brand is working well,” he said.

All-time high

It is first time in the history of Land Rover that it’s annual sales touched two lakh cars. Global sales reached 2,05,717 units in November. Several markets, including Russia, China, France and Spain recorded their best sales performance last year, an earlier Ford statement said.

Emerging markets

“China, Russia and South Africa and some South American markets are the key emerging markets for Land Rover and Jaguar. We did extremely well in those regions, particularly in China. In the case of Land Rover, we recorded 200 per cent increase in the last 18 months in China,” Mr Hume said.

Key models of brands

He said that Land Rover Freelander and Jaguar XK, the key models of both the brands, are doing well. Ford places great importance on the new XF in the recovery plans for Jaguar. The latest model will hit the global market in March.

About the depreciating sales of Jaguar which clocked just 60,000 units, he said, “This is part of our policy. It is related to the positioning of Jaguar in the league of top models”, he said, indicating that the company was limiting the production to keep the premium brand as a niche.

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