"Gradual improvement in chip and other supply constraints" helped sales increase at Jaguar Land Rover, the automotive giant has announced.
The car maker, which has sites across the West Midlands and North West, confirmed that its wholesale volumes for its fourth quarter were 94,649 vehicles (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China joint venture), up 19% compared to the prior quarter ending December 31, 2022, and 24% compared to the same quarter a year ago.
Compared to the prior year, wholesale volumes were higher in all markets led by overseas (62%), UK (24%), Europe (22%), China (17%) and North America (2%), JLR added.
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The group also revealed that its retail sales for its fourth quarter were 102,889 cars (including the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China joint venture), up 21% from the prior quarter ending December 31, 2022, and up 30% compared to the same quarter a year ago.
Compared to the prior year, retail volumes were higher in all markets led by Europe (+47%), UK (+42%), China (+29%), overseas (+29%) and North America (+12%).
For the full year to March 31, 2023, wholesales (excluding China joint venture) were 321,362, up 9% and retails were 354,662, down 6%.
Range Rover and Range Rover Sport production volumes continued to increase with 32,950 units wholesaled in the quarter, up from 28,000 in Q3.
Defender wholesale volumes increased to 27,513 vehicles as JLR continued to operate a third shift at the Nitra plant, up from 23,816 in Q3.
JLR added that its order book "remained strong" with about 200,000 client orders at quarter end, about 15,000 lower than December 31, 2022, reflecting the higher retails this quarter.
The group also said that Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender demand "remains particularly strong", representing 76% of the order book.
JLR is expected to report its fourth quarter and full-year results in May.
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