The key is quality over quantity says Barbara Barrett, a spokesperson for the two automakers. Stating that they now consider themselves niche automakers, they no longer feel compelled to report sales. "A continued focus on the monthly sales in specific markets does not present a realistic view of Jaguar and Land Rover's true positions in their respective segments or overall business performance and can create a distorted and potentially harmful commentary."
As private companies, the two automakers aren't obligated to post their sales. While private companies like Ferrari SpA and Lamborghini SpA share this practice of not releasing sales numbers, they typically sell only a few thousand vehicles each year, while Jaguar and Land Rover can match those sales each month. Chrysler LLC is a privately held automaker, but still releases monthly sales figures.
"I think the reason behind it is to keep analysts from making comments and keep reporters from writing stories," says Erich Merkle an auto analyst with Crowe Chizlek and Co. "They have to be careful what they wish for, because they might not get any press coverage, and that might not be good."
Source: WardsAuto.com