JLR to cut Land Rover production

Thanks to Chris Shunk's post on Autoblog.com, I read this story in The Times of India that says that even though worldwide Land Rover sales have only slumped by three percent from last year, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) owners Tata are going to cut production in a preemptive measure.

The article goes on to state that "Land Rover sales slumped by 31 per cent in the US market in the year to July but strong demand in Russian and Chinese economies almost offset the sharp fall. Uncertainties about the outlook at Land Rover will slow the recovery in JLR profits. Last year Land Rover accounted for all of JLR's USD 650 million profits and almost all of the first quarter's USD 421 million."

Is this a case of the self-fulfilling prophesy? Less production will certainly mean fewer sales and lower profits.

For the sake of Land Rover, one of my favorite SUV brands, I hope Tata knows what they're doing...

Photo © Jason Fogelson