Jaguar Land Rover has recorded a 26 per cent increase in global retail sales for September 2011 with China delivering another record month with sales up 157 per cent for Jaguar and 85 per cent for Land Rover.

China remains Jaguar Land Rover's third largest market with retails up 60 per cent for the year to September. This record performance has been driven by sales of the XJ following the introduction of the 3.0l engine and a continuing strong performance from all Land Rover models. This positive news comes as China is set to open its 100 th authorised dealership in Zhengzhou.

The UK continues as Jaguar Land Rover's leading market with retail sales of 10,896 up 12 per cent collectively. Jaguar UK sales for the month were up across all product lines* with the new XF 2.2 diesel accounting for one third of total UK registrations. Land Rover UK sales for the month were up 12 per cent thanks to the introduction of Evoque and a 97 per cent year on year increase for Range Rover.

Strong developing market performances were recorded in Russia with Jaguar and Land Rover up 24 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. India recorded a record September for both brands with Jaguar up 63 per cent and Land Rover up 155 per cent. Land Rover also continued to demonstrate growth in Brazil where it recorded its strongest ever September with sales up 55 per cent.

Strong European market performances were delivered by a number of markets with sales collectively up 38 per cent. This is in large part due to the introduction of the Range Rover Evoque and the XF 2.2l diesel which accounted for 43 per cent of all European XF sales.

Highlights from Europe include; France,up 33 per cent for Jaguar thanks to an exceptional 84 per cent year on year increase in XF sales - driven by the new 2.2l diesel. Land Rover sales in France were also up an impressive 115 per cent thanks to the Evoque. Germany delivered a strong monthly performance with sales of Jaguar and Land Rover up 52 per cent and 11 per cent respectively and the Netherlands retails are up 65 per cent for Jaguar and 84 per cent for Land Rover.

European importers also delivered a strong September with sales up 49 per cent collectively. Markets particularly worthy of note include Switzerland up 67 per cent for Jaguar and 52 per cent for Land Rover. Turkey also performed well with sales up 53 per cent for Jaguar and 12 per cent for Land Rover.

Positive retails results are also reflected in North American market, up 10% overall, with XF up 33 percent and Range Rover Sport sales up 38 per cent.

Phil Popham, Group Sales Director for Jaguar Land Rover said: "This has been our strongest September since 2007 when the industry was hit hard by the recession. Since that time we have introduced a host of new models and engines that has driven sales growth and attracted new consumers to our brands."

He continued: "This month our sales have been further bolstered by the award winning Range Rover Evoque and the 2.2l diesel XF- both of which went on sale in September in the UK and Europe and will roll out across other markets in the coming months. These new models add to what is already a very strong stable of products which are clearly capturing the imagination of consumers across the globe."

Jaguar's top five markets for September 2011 are UK - 3,300, North America - 1,171, China - 559, Germany - 364 and Italy - 120.

Land Rover's top five markets for September 2011 are UK - 7,596, China - 3,510, North America - 2,976, Italy - 1,075 and Russia - 1,049.