Range Rover helps drive JLR to highest quarterly profit since 2017

Company pushing ahead with upgrades to UK factories as electric model generates strong interest

Jaguar Land Rover has reported its highest quarterly profit since 2017 and said its new electric Range Rover had generated strong interest, as it pushes ahead with upgrades to its UK factories for electrical vehicle production.

The British carmaker, which is owned by the Indian conglomerate Tata, made a profit before tax and exceptional items of £627m in its third quarter, the three months to 31 December, up from £235m a year earlier. Sales reached £7.4bn, as wholesale revenues of its Range Rover hit a quarterly record.