Jaguar Land Rover posts record car sales figures

Jaguar Land Rover has seen sales rise in the US, Germany and India
Car maker Jaguar Land Rover has posted record sales for 2013 with nearly half a million cars sold worldwide.

This was up almost a fifth for the company, which has plants in the West Midlands and Merseyside.

The US, Germany and India are now the Indian-owned manufacturer's fastest growing markets.

The figures came amid a resurgence in the wider vehicle market as the economy recovers both in the UK and in many key markets overseas.

The Land Rover brand sold 350,000 vehicles worldwide last year, accounting for over 80% of Jaguar Land Rover's total sales.

Staff increase

Jaguar itself saw sales volumes increase by 42% in 2013 as customers in the US, India and Germany bought its luxury cars.

Jaguar Land Rover is hiring nearly 2,000 extra people to meet demand, bringing its total staff in the UK to more than 26,000.

Last week, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said car sales in Britain were at their highest since 2007 thanks to a recovering economy, cheap financing packages and repayments of mis-sold payment protection insurance.

BBC business correspondent Joe Lynam said Jaguar Land Rover had seen a remarkable turnaround in its fortunes.

At the height of the recession, the company's Indian owners asked for financial support from the British government.