Jaguar March Sales Double

Jaguar's UK sales success has helped to boost the luxury car sector throughout the first quarter with a year on year improvement for both XF and XK.

In the UK, 2522 XF were sold in March 2010 compared to 1294 the previous year, up 94.6 per cent. XK sales improved by 36.3%, with 383 cars sold compared with 281 last March.

For the first quarter, 3514 XF were sold in the UK up 67.2% from 2102 sales. XK sales improved 25.4% with 509 cars sold compared to 406 in 2009.

Overall Jaguar performance in the UK is up 1.1%, with total sales of 3056 compared with 3024 last March; all the more impressive considering the X-Type was discontinued at the end of 2009 and sales of the all-new new XJ are due to commence from May.

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK said: "With more than 22,000 XFs now on the road in the UK, the growing popularity of the XF speaks for itself. The second half of 2009 saw consecutive sales growth for the XF and at the end of the year our order book was nearly full with customers wanting an XF.

"We have kept this momentum going in a challenging market during the first quarter with a very successful TV, print and web advertising campaign, and this has helped us nearly double our sales of XF in March."

Already critically acclaimed by the world's media and winner of more than 60 international awards, a number of enhancements announced for the XF diesel earlier this year has made the XF even more popular.

The Diesel S model now features some of the unique sporting character of the high performance XFR, while revised pricing for the entry-level 3.0-litre V6 petrol, with prices starting at a highly competitive £29,900, has also boosted demand, winning some buyers from the now discontinued X-Type.

Geoff Cousins added: "Our XK models continue to perform well and despite the poor weather at the start of the year, we have caught up and exceeded our expectations with both the coupe and convertible versions."

In the UK, retail pricing of the XF range now starts at £29,900 for the 3.0-litre petrol. The 3.0-litre diesel model is available from £34,900 for the 240 PS engine while the 275 PS 3.0-litre Diesel S starts at £38,600.

The top of the range XFR is available from £62,055. The XK range starts at £62,500 for the 5.0 n/a V8 petrol and the XKR starts at £75,500.

(PR)