PM hails record JLR sales

Monday 13 January 2014

The Prime Minister has led praise for Britain's largest car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover after it reported record breaking global sales for 2013.

Together the iconic British brands sold 425,006 vehicles in 2013 - up 19% on 2012 - setting new sales records in 38 international markets. David Cameron wrote on Twitter: "Great news for Britain and for jobs as Jaguar Land Rover announce they sold 425,000 vehicles last year - 19% more than in 2012".

In the UK Jaguar sales were up 15% and Land Rover sales were up 13%.

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%.

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

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said the company was 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," he said.

"JLR continues to take on staff, including 600 new staff at their new engine plant in the West Midlands. The company also remains committed to taking on apprentices as well.

"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."

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

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

More than £500 million 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".

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".