Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc today reported its financial results for the three months to 31 December 2022 (Q3 FY23).
Jaguar Land Rover delivered on its plans and achieved positive free cash flow and profitability in Q3 as semiconductor supply challenges eased in the quarter. Revenues in Q3 FY23 were £6.0 billion, up 28% vs. Q3 FY22 and up 15% vs. Q2 FY23 reflecting strong model mix and pricing as the production ramp up of the New Range Rover and New Range Rover Sport continued with 27,456 units wholesaled in the quarter, up from 13,537 in Q2.
Profit before tax in the quarter was £265 million, up from a loss of £(9) million a year ago with a positive EBIT margin of 3.7%, up from 1.4% in Q3 FY22. The higher profitability reflects increased wholesale volumes with favourable mix, pricing and foreign exchange offset partially by higher inflation and supplier claims largely related to constrained volumes. Profit after tax in the quarter was £261 million, up from a loss of £(67) million in Q3 FY22. Free cash flow was £490 million in Q3 FY22, up from £164 million in Q3 FY22.
Wholesale volumes were 79,591 units in the period (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China joint venture), up 5.7% compared to the prior quarter ending 30 September 2022 and 15.0% compared to the same quarter a year ago. Compared to the prior quarter, wholesale volumes were higher in North America (+17%), UK (+13%) and Overseas (+10%) and lower in China (-13%) and Europe (-3%).
Wholesales in China during the quarter were impacted by lockdowns leading to dealer closures followed by high rates of staff absence as Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed. The situation is expected to recover in the fourth quarter with our dealers open and staff absence closer to normal levels in January.
The Company continues to see strong demand for its vehicles. As at 31 December 2022, the total order book increased to 215,000 client orders, up around 10,000 orders from 30 September 2022. Demand for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender remains strong and represents 74% of the order book.
The Refocus transformation programme delivered £300 million of value in Q3 (£850 million year to date) and is on track to deliver a target of £1 billion plus improvements in the year to help mitigate the impact of inflation.
JLR had strong liquidity at the end of the quarter with £3.9 billion of cash. The £1.5 billion undrawn unsecured revolving credit facility has been extended from March 2023 to April 2026. An extension to our £0.6b equivalent China bank loan due to mature in June 2023 has also been signed (for three years maturing in January 2026, subject to annual reviews).
Although there continue to be supply chain and other macro risks, our guidance for the full year remains unchanged. Positive profits and free cash flow in Q4 FY23 on wholesales of 80,000 or more are expected to achieve breakeven cashflow and a positive EBIT margin for the full year.