Jaguar Land Rover has recorded a 26% increase in global retail sales for September 2011, led by record growth in China.

However the UK remained the group’s leading market, with retail sales up 12% to 10,896 units.

 Splitting the brands, Jaguar UK’s sales were up across all product lines, led by the new XF 2.2-litre diesel, while Land Rover UK’s growth was led by the launch of the Evoque and a 97% year-on-year uplift for Range Rover.

China remains Jaguar Land Rover's third largest market with retails up 60% for the year to September, driven by sales of the XJ and a continuing strong performance from all Land Rover models.

Russia, India and Brazil are also posting significant growth, while across Europe sales were up 38% due largely to interest in the Evoque and XF.

Phil Popham, group sales director for Jaguar Land Rover, said: "This has been our strongest September since 2007 when the industry was hit hard by the recession. Since that time we have introduced a host of new models and engines that has driven sales growth and attracted new consumers to our brands."

He continued: "This month our sales have been further bolstered by the award winning Range Rover Evoque and the 2.2l diesel XF- both of which went on sale in September in the UK and Europe and will roll out across other markets in the coming months.

"These new models add to what is already a very strong stable of products which are clearly capturing the imagination of consumers across the globe."

Jaguar's top five markets for September 2011 are UK – 3,300, North America – 1,171, China – 559, Germany – 364 and Italy – 120.

Land Rover's top five markets for September 2011 are UK – 7,596, China – 3,510, North America – 2,976, Italy – 1,075 and Russia – 1,049.