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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

Jaguar Land Rover loses more than £400m as global computer chip shortage and Russia's war with Ukraine impact sales

The global computer chip shortage that forced production to be cut at Jaguar Land Rover led the automotive giant to post a loss of more than £400m for its latest financial year.

JLR has reported a pre-tax loss of £455m including an exceptional charge of £43m during its fourth quarter for its business in Russia.

That compares to the £662m profit, before exceptional items, in the 12 months to March 31, 2021.

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The manufacturer said its production and sales had been "significantly impacted" by the global chip shortage.

Revenue also fell by 7% to £18.3bn in the year to March 31, 2022.

JLR has UK sites in Whitley, Gaydon, Solihull, Manchester, Castle Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Halewood.

During its fourth quarter, JLR's revenue rose 1% to £4.8bn compared to the prior three months.

The EBIT margin in the quarter was 2% with its pre-tax profit about breakeven (£9m) before the £43m exceptional charge for its business in Russia.

Retail sales in the fourth quarter totalled 79,008, down 1% on the third quarter "as a consequence of constrained wholesales and low dealer inventories".

Wholesales for the full year were 294,182, down 15% compared to the prior year while retail sales were 376,381, down 14%.

JLR said it expects the global semiconductor shortage to continue through the next fiscal year "with gradual improvement".

However, it added that the Covid lockdowns in China as well as the new Range Rover Sport model changeover are expected to limit volume improvements in Q1, "possibly resulting in negative EBIT and negative cash flows in the quarter".

Chief financial officer Adrian Mardell said: "Despite the ongoing semiconductor supply constraints limiting production, we have delivered a second successive quarter of positive cashflow demonstrating our continuing focus on revenue optimisation and cost efficiencies.

"Despite the present chip supply, inflation and other challenges, our lower breakeven point should position us well as volumes gradually recover."

Chief executive Thierry Bollor é added: "The environment remains difficult in light of the global chip shortage and other challenges.

"However, I’m encouraged by the continuing strong customer demand for our products, highlighted by a record order book.

"And we are continuing to execute our Reimagine Strategy with exciting new products like the Defender, New Range Rover and just announced New Range Rover Sport while we are rapidly progressing our plans for a new generation of electric vehicles with our all electric Jaguar strategy and BEV first EMA platform for new Land Rover products."

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