News: March 2010 Best Sales Month EVER for Land Rover UK

British-based motor company Land Rover has recorded its best-ever month of sales in the UK in March 2010. Overall, Land Rover sold 11,300 units in March 2010. The 62-year-old company has also seen global sales of new vehicles rise rapidly in the first three months of this year. This comes at a time when major car manufacturers around the world are struggling to maintain sales.

Extensive and well-received mid-life updates for the Discovery and the Range Rover Sport last year have helped maintain strong interest in Land Rover's line -- in spite of the fact it has not introduced any new models recently.

Land Rover sold 67% more vehicles in the UK last month than in March 2009, while global sales in March 2010 rose by more than 43% and are up 36% for the period January-March 2010 over the same three-month period 2009.

Land Rover sales in China rose 168% last month and are up 192% in the first quarter of this year. Sales have also been particularly strong in Korea and Brazil. Sales last month were up 139% in Switzerland while Turkey was up 150%, Austria up 53.4%, Spain up 67.2%, Germany up 59%, France up 27.8% and Netherlands up 38.6%. North America sales rose around 23% in March 2010. China, with more than 2,000 vehicles sold in China last month, is now the company's third-largest market after the UK and North America.

Land Rover managing director Phil Popham said today: "We have had an incredible start to 2010. March has seen an all-time record in our home market which is extremely encouraging."

"The sales increase is mainly owed to the phenomenal response received from customers and media to the award-winning 2010 model year Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery 4 and Freelander 2. It is the most efficient and technologically advanced line-up of vehicles Land Rover has ever had, ensuring a continued demand for our brand."

Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the Unite union, said: "Jaguar Land Rover workers in Castle Bromwich and Solihull produce world class vehicles. Soaring sales will boost our case for the future of both plants. They are the jewel in the crown of manufacturing excellence in Britain."

In addition to announcing these stunning sales figures, company representatives spoke of their disappointment with this month's new vehicle excise duty (VED) (aka the "showroom tax") increases.

Ratan Tata, chairman of TATA Motors which acquired Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 from Ford also announced they have acquired a loan of £340 million from the European Investment Bank. The loan is to be used for Land Rover Research and Development.