Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) released its 2020 sales figures, which reflect a considerable hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but the company highlighted signs of recovery as sales in China remained strong.

For the calendar year 2020, Jaguar Land Rover retail sales were 425,974 vehicles, down 23.6 per cent on 2019, reflecting the industry impact of COVID-19 particularly in the first half of the year when plants were shut down for more than two months.

However, the company said it has since seen sales increase quarter-on-quarter by over 53 per cent in the quarter ended September 30, 2020, followed by the 13.1 per cent increase in the most recent quarter.

Retail sales for the quarter ending December 31, 2020 were 128,469 vehicles, 13.1 per cent higher than the 113,569 vehicles sold in the preceding quarter, but down 9 per cent on the same period last year.

The company said China sales were particularly encouraging as they were up 20.2 per cent on the prior quarter and 19.1 per cent year-on-year.

Sales in other regions, however, have not yet recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels with sales for the quarter lower than a year ago in North America (-17.2 per cent), overseas (-20.0 per cent), Europe (-16.3 per cent) and the UK (-8.9 per cent). But in terms of a quarterly comparison, sales were up on the prior quarter in North America (-17.2 per cent), overseas (-20.0 per cent), Europe (-16.3 per cent) and the UK (-8.9 per cent). But in terms of a quarterly comparison, sales were up on the prior quarter in North America (+31.7 per cent), Overseas (+26.6 per cent) and Europe (+20.5 per cent).

The company CCO also noted that the luxury carmaker, the UK's largest automotive manufacturer, remains well-placed to keep its retailers open for business with online sales solutions, even when doors remain closed through lockdown.

For Jaguar, retail sales of the multi award-winning all-electric I-PACE were up 69.3 per cent year-on-year with 7,807 sold in the quarter, as demand for electric vehicles continues to grow.

In response to strengthening global demand, Jaguar Land Rover said it has continued to roll out its new range of 21 Model Year vehicles, incorporating the very latest technologies.