Jaguar Land Rover has achieved solid sales performance in 2014, retailing 462,678 vehicles, up 9% versus prior year. This is the company's 5th successive year of growth in sales.
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aguar Land Rover's global performance for the full year 2014 shows a balanced portfolio with sales up across all key regions: 122,010 in the China Region, up 28%; 96,505 for Overseas, up 1%; 86,310 in Europe, up 3%; 82,872 in the UK, up 7% and 74,981 in North America, up 2%.
Land Rover had its best ever year with sales reaching 381,108, up 9% year-on-year. The company sold more Range Rovers, Range Rover Sports and Range Rover Evoque vehicles in 2014 than ever before, on the back of continued strong customer demand.
Jaguar sales were up 6% for the year, retailing 81,570 vehicles. The F-TYPE, which has just completed its first full year of sales, continues to raise brand awareness around the world. The XF consistently drives Jaguar volumes and in 2014 has recorded its best year of sales to date. This is Jaguar's strongest full year performance in nearly a decade.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 1,300 new jobs as it continues to accelerate its industry-leading expertise in aluminium and lightweight technologies. The news comes following confirmation that the UK's largest manufacturing investor will add a further new Jaguar model to its product portfolio.
The Jaguar performance crossover, set to go on sale in 2016, follows the Jaguar XE into the new facilities within the world-renowned Solihull plant.
This latest announcement from the Detroit auto show will see Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull manufacturing plant continue to develop its world-class capability in aluminium vehicle construction for which the company is synonymous. It also marks the start of an incredible year for the British manufacturer who will deliver 12 significant product actions in the next 12 months alone.
To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies Jaguar Land Rover has already invested £1.5bn. The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70 year history and created an impressive 'factory within a factory'.
Incorporating Europe's largest aluminum body shop and final assembly hall, collectively the size of 22 football pitches, the new state-of-the-art facilities bring the Jaguar brand to Solihull for the first time, and continues to showcase the company's pioneering leadership in aluminum vehicle construction which dates back to 2003 with the introduction of the seventh generation Jaguar XJ.
As a result of the continued developments at Solihull, Jaguar Land Rover is creating an additional 1,300 new jobs at the site.
Applications for the new roles are now being accepted and following its commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for former service personnel in the wake of the Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover is welcoming applications from military personnel who are leaving or have left the services. ■