The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was the top profit-making model (£3,650) of September 2024, according to Dealer Auction. Data revealed a 50-50 split between premium and mainstream models for the first time.
The Range Rover Evoque took the spot of the Discovery Sport (£3,300) which has been top profit-maker seven out of the nine months in 2024. The Volvo XC60 followed in third (£2,850).
Dealer Auction’s Marketplace Director, Kieran TeeBoon, said: “This is the biggest shake-up we’ve seen in the Retail Margin Monitor since its launch.
“Beyond the usual suspects in the first three spots, premium models were challenged by mainstream models – specifically family-friendly SUVs.
“They’ve even knocked stalwarts like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class out of the table for the first time since July 2023. Could this be a new trend?”
The Kia Sorento placed fourth (£2,800), followed by the Volkswagen Tiguan (£2,600), the BMW 3 Series (£2,600), the Mazda CX-5 (£2,500), the Toyota RAV4 (£2,425), the Dacia Duster (£2,400) and the Hyundai Tucson (£2,325).
TeeBoon said: “Overall, it’s clear that mainstream brands shouldn’t be underestimated. The data speaks for itself! This month, we’ve seen several family-friendly models stake a claim in the top 10, clearly showing that the opportunity is there for savvy dealers.
“Acting on the available insights will give dealers the confidence to leverage profit opportunities from both the consistently high-ranking products and these unique opportunities for extra profit.”
Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reported retail sales of 103,108 units in the second quarter (including the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China JV), down 3% compared to the same quarter a year ago. Retail sales for the first six months of the financial year were 214,288 units, up 3% year‑on‑year. Compared to the prior year, retail sales in the quarter were up 29% in the UK, up 9% in North America, down 22% in Europe, down 17% in China and down 6% Overseas.
JLR said production in the quarter was restricted to around 86,000 units, down 7% compared to the same quarter a year ago, as a result of supply disruptions from a ‘key high‑grade aluminium supplier that affected multiple OEMs’.
Floods in Switzerland during the summer disrupted flat-rolled aluminium production at Novelis. The company notified its automotive customers of a ‘force majeure event’ that had forced it to shut down its plant in late June.
Wholesale volumes of 87,303 units in the second quarter of the financial year (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China JV) were down 10% compared to the same quarter a year ago due to restricted aluminium supplies. In addition, at the end of September, a temporary hold was placed on around 6,500 vehicles, largely in the UK and Europe, to allow additional quality control checks to be performed. These vehicles will be wholesaled in the second half of the year, JLR said.
The overall mix of the most profitable Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender models was 67% of total wholesale volumes.
JLR said it expects both production and wholesale volumes to pick up ‘strongly’ in the second half of the financial year as the aluminium supply situation ‘normalises’.
JLR will report full financial results for Q2 FY25 in early November.