JLR opens new manufacturing facility in Brazil

As the UK hovers on the brink of deciding either to Leave or Remain in the EU, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has opened its new R$750 million (£240 million) manufacturing facility in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

GKN unveils first 'disconnect' AWD

GKN has developed the world’s first 'disconnect' All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system for A-, B- and C-segment vehicle platforms. The company claims the system improves fuel economy during steady state cruising by up to four per cent.

The innovative 'disconnect' function enables vehicles to combine the enhanced traction, dynamics and stability of all-wheel drive with improved on-highway fuel efficiency.

JLR to edge beyond £1 billion quarterly profits

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc (JLR) achieved profit before tax of nearly £1 billion for the first quarter of its 2014/2015 financial year.

The company’s strong sales volumes have resulted in revenues for the period of £5.353 billion.

With an actual profit before tax increased to £924m for the quarter, this reflects the growth in volumes and revenue as well as strong product and geographic mix. 

JLR sales at global high

As China’s economy cools, can jaguar Land Rover maintain its new-found momentum? That is the question company executives face as they adjust their strategy to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Last year, Jaguar Land Rover sold 357,773 vehicles in 177 markets, a rise of 30 per cent on the previous year.

China is now the largest single market, delivering its best ever sales performance with sales of 71,940 units, a rise of 71 per cent. China is followed by the UK (68,333 - up 19 per cent), the US (55,675 - up 11 per cent), Russia (20,549 - up 43 per cent) and Germany (16,722 - up 41 per cent).

Sales of the Range Rover Evoque in its first full year reached 108,598 units.

Land Rover has seen sales of the Land Rover Discovery 4/LR4 rose 3 per cent, while sales of Range Rover Sport went up 4 per cent. Jaguar sales rose 6 per cent. ∎