As per latest UK automotive industry figures, the growing popularity of Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover models led to a grand 15.8 per cent increase in the UK's car exports to India in 2016. India has now become the 8th largest Asian market for UK car exports with JLR's Land Rover Discovery Sport, Ranger Rover Evoque, Jaguar XF, Jaguar XE, and Jaguar F-Pace being one of the top five most popular models.
One of UK's largest trade associations, the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, said the Indian demand formed part of a wider 17-year high for British car manufacturing last year. "India is now the eighth biggest Asian market for UK car exports, with demand rising at a rapid rate as an increasing number of affluent buyers take advantage of a range of all new premium and luxury British-built cars. UK car exports to the country grew 15.8 per cent to 3,372 in 2016," it said in a statement. It also noticed that India-built car models accounted for 31,535 new car registrations in the UK. "India and the UK have a great history of collaboration in the automotive sector and it is essential we secure mutually beneficial trade relationships in the future. India is a growing market, for the moment largely for luxury vehicles. But we face high import tariffs which makes it more difficult to sell into India," said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. "It remains to be seen the kind of trade deal the UK may look to agree with India post-Brexit. But meanwhile, it is very much about producing the right product for the market, which is in the premium category," he added.
The SMMT also highlighted that more cars are now being exported from Britain than ever before, a result of investment made lately in world-class production facilities, cutting-edge design and technology and one of Europe's most highly skilled and productive workforces rather than any Brexit effect. "Brexit is a significant challenge and we want our respective governments to support our industry. The last year was undoubtedly a very, very successful year for the industry but there is a lot of uncertainty with one of our biggest market, the EU," Hawes said.
