Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover declines to comment on a report that new boss Thierry Bolloré may scrap six models – including the Merseyside-produced Land Rover Discovery Sport. Tony McDonough reports
Jaguar Land Rover’s new boss could scrap six current and planned models, including the Merseyside-produced Land Rover Discovery Sport, a media report claims.
According to the Sunday Times, Thierry Bolloré wants to streamline the carmaker’s product range. Mr Bolloré, the former chief executive of Renault, took over the helm from Sir Ralf Speth last month.
In the report it is claimed Mr Bolloré believes JLR sells a “confused mix of similar models”, in particular the company’s poorly-selling range of saloons. He is also believed to want to see an acceleration of JLR’s electrification programme.
In the firing line, according to the story, is the Discovery Sport, one of two models assembled at the JLR factory in Halewood where around 4,000 people are currently employed. The other model produced at the site is the Range Rover Evoque.
Despite JLR suffering slumps in sales over the past couple of years, both models have been among the company’s best performers, particularly the Evoque. More than £100m was invested in Halewood so it could produce the new generation Evoque.
Today, JLR told LBN that is does not comment on speculation. Earlier this month the company reported rising sales both in the UK and overseas. As a consequence, it has restored the two-shift working patterns at its three UK factories for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
JLR said it sold 113,569 vehicles in three months ending September 30. This was a big rise from from sales of 74,067 in the previous quarter but still down 11.9% from pre-COViD levels a year ago. China sales were up up 14.6% on the prior quarter and 3.7% year-on-year. September also saw sales up 28.5% year-on-year in China.