Further details of Jaguar Land Rover’s joint venture with Chery Automobile Company have been revealed after the deal was formally approved by the Chinese government.
The joint venture – the Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company – will see the production of both JLR vehicles and new models for a partnership brand aimed specifically at Chinese car buyers.
Around £1.1 billion will be invested in the new facility in Changshu, near Shanghai, which will also include a research and development centre and an engine manufacturing plant.
The partnership will also see the development of advanced technologies and low carbon solutions and the aim is for the new plant to be up and running in 2014.
The move represents a crucial foothold in China for JLR and builds on the firm’s soaring sales in the country.
In 2005 sales in China accounted for just one per cent of JLR’s combined sales. It recently became the firm’s biggest market and is still growing.
Sales rose by 80 per cent in the first ten months of 2012, following on from a successful 2011 where they increased by more than 60 per cent.
Meanwhile JLR put three of its newest vehicles on show to the US market at the Los Angeles International Automobile Show.
They included the Jaguar XFR-S, a world debut for the high performance saloon, the Jaguar F-TYPE two-seater and the next generation Range Rover.
“This year’s Los Angeles Auto show is one of the most significant US shows in years for Jaguar Land Rover as we launch a true modern day British invasion with the debut of three breakthrough new products,” said Jaguar Land Rover North America president, Andy Goss.
“Jaguar Land Rover is making major strides to grow the business with highly targeted new products. The new Jaguar F-TYPE, Jaguar XFR-S and all new Range Rover will all make a major impact, specifically in the United States, which will be the world’s largest market for all three vehicles.”
