Two of Britain’s most profitable car manufacturers will be celebrating the news that sales in the first quarter of 2013 have been exceptionally strong, especially in emerging markets. Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley have performed well both in the UK and abroad, with both companies managing to post a boom in sales between January and March of this year.
Bentley, owned by German firm Volkswagen, increased its first quarter international deliveries by 26 per cent, thus significantly boosting profits for the year ahead and setting it in good stead for achieving half year profits at the end of June. In the UK meanwhile, sales of Bentley models were up 60 per cent on the same period last year.
According to Bentley’s board member for sales, Kevin Rose, the Asia Pacific region gave the firm its biggest boost, with sales jumping by 68 per cent since the first quarter of 2012. The Middle East also increased significantly, by 41 per cent, while America was close behind with a 35 per cent rise.
Mr Rose claims Bentley’s success in the first quarter is largely due to balancing the tough economic climate with emerging rich markets.
He says; “Although conditions in some markets are becoming more challenging, we are continuing to increase our market share thanks to our growing global presence and growth in key new markets such as Russia.”
Meanwhile, Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover was able to post a personal record in quarterly sales performance, with sales having increased by 17 per cent since the same time last year. Internationally, more than 115,000 Jaguar vehicles were sold during the quarter, while Land Rover racked up a total of 95,000 sales – the best ever quarterly performance in the brand’s 65 years of trading.
UK sales for Jaguar Land Rover also rose by a respectable 14 per cent.
Group sales director, Phil Popham, says; “Jaguar Land Rover has had a record breaking start to the year reflecting the continued interest in our two great brands and our commitment to delivering desirable products that resonate with customers across the globe.”
These impressive results from both Bentley and Jaguar Land Rover have somewhat defied expectations cited by critics at the beginning of the year, who predicted that British automotive sales would be almost flat during 2013.
While it is true that last year’s resounding success for the British automotive industry will be difficult to beat, an improving economy and more positive consumer outlook means that new models are likely be eagerly snapped up by drivers
With Jaguar Land Rover investing heavily in UK manufacturing in order to make the most out of its new models, and Bentley remaining one of the most popular luxury cars in the world, it seems that 2013 could well be the year of the car!
