Jag's Big Plans for 2017

Jaguar-Land Rover New Zealand is aiming to double its sales with the introduction of several new models next year. Sales this year have been driven by demand for the Jaguar F-Pace range of luxury SUVs.

Sales of Jaguars more than doubled from 121 to 274 during the year to October, said Jaguar Land Rover operations manager Ben Montgomery. Land Rover sales were also 27 per cent higher this yearwhen compared with last year. The record sales increases came with a major investment in the company’s Auckland showrooms. In addition to the F-Pace, there was strong demand of the XEand F-Type Coupe.

The industry figures made Jaguar New Zealand’s fastest growing luxury car manufacturer, he said. Montgomery said a strong focus on innovative design had helped capture market share, as had a $10 million investment in the Giltrap Group’s Auckland and North Shore show rooms. “Jaguar Land Rover vehicles continue to deliver performance and value above and beyond the expectations of their owners.”

Giltrap Group’s new Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Greenlane would display 13 vehicles, while the upgraded North Shore showroom would display 18 vehicles when the development was completed early next year. All models, including the latest cutting-edge Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) product such as the F-Type SVR and Range Rover Sport Autobiography, would be on display.

Staffing levels at the showrooms had also been increased to cater to the brand’s growing customer base. Montgomery said the growth would continue next year with the introduction of the Jaguar X540 (E-Pace), a smaller SUVthan the F-Pace, and the Land Rover L560 (Range Rover GT) models. Hesaid Jaguar-Land Rover would be demonstrating its products during an “Art of Performance Tour” where drivers could test the accuracy and driver skill while learning more about the vehicledriveability.

- Ted Baghurd