JLR to launch eight models this year

Will bolster market share in China

Tata Motors-owned United Kingdom-based luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover will continue its aggression with a series of new launches planned this year aimed at further bolstering its market share including in China which has overtaken the UK to become its largest market.

JLR, which recently launched new variants of the Jaguar XF and XJ and all-new Range Rover will launch at least eight new or refreshed products this calendar year to maintain its growth momentum.

Jaguar Land Rover, which is also UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles, today confirmed its best ever global sales performance, with retail sales up 30% in 2012 following strong market performances from the UK, China and the U.S.

In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sales at 357,773 vehicles were up in every major market due to new model introductions and update programmes. China is now JLR's largest market delivering with sales of 71,940, up 71%. It is followed by the UK at 68,333 up 19%, USA at 55,675, up 11%, Russia at 20,549, up 43% and Germany 16,722 up 41%.

Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover’s Director of Group Sales Operations said, "2012 has been a strong year for Jaguar Land Rover with record breaking sales performance globally. All of our key markets saw strong progress, with demand for our premium vehicles setting new records in a very competitive environment.

To support enhanced production planned for the future and to support the introduction of future model programmes Jaguar Land Rover will create 800 new jobs in the UK. The recruitment campaign for production operators is underway at Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced manufacturing plant in Solihull, West Midlands.

Jaguar Land Rover has recently confirmed a £370 million ($600million) investment programme for its Solihull site which includes the installation of a new aluminium body shop for the all-new Range Rover as well as upgrades to paint-applications technologies, trim assembly, warehousing and Jaguar Land Rover’s first customer handover centre.