Weak demand in China hurt sales at Jaguar Land Rover last month, as the firm emerged as a takeover target.
April sales of 39,185 vehicles were 13% down on a year earlier, driven by a 46% slump in Chinese sales.
The company said the roll-out of an electric I-Pace model and increase in Range Rover sales was “encouraging”.
In the UK and America, sales were up 12% and 10%.
JLR commercial chief Felix Bräutigam called it a “tough month”.
The Tata Motors-owned marque, which is cutting 4500 jobs, has been linked with a takeover by Peugeot owner PSA Groupe.
Tata denied the rumours but PSA said it was “open to all opportunities”.
