Tuesday 1st June 2010

Jaguar Land Rover Plans Plant In China

Tata wants to start JLR production in Asia within two years

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Tata Motors CEO, Carl-Peter Forster, has revealed that Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover plans to build cars in China.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Forster said that up to 40,000 JLR products a year could be Chinese-built. Production could begin within two years, with Land Rover models first, followed by Jaguars. The aim is to cut production costs to keep JLR products competitive in the burgeoning Chinese luxury car market.

"China is one growth market," said Forster. "We need to grow everywhere else as well. We need to grow in China, in Europe, South Africa, South America. We have lots of growth markets."

The Chinese-built models aren't likely to be heading for the UK, however - their destination will be China and other south-east Asian economies.

A JLR spokesman also told PH that the new production plans will not affect JLR's UK-based production facilities, as the volume for Chinese-built cars will come from sales growth and will not replace British-built production. The parts for the Chinese Jaguars and Land Rovers will also be largely UK-sourced and shipped to China for final assembly.

[Danny S]

I hope they hold there word on the last 2 paragraphs !

[R66STU]

the all new 'Chan-Rover'

[wab172uk]

The Chinese-built models aren't likely to be heading for the UK, however - their destination will be China and other south-east Asian economies.

I'm not likely to win the lottery. Doesn't mean I won't.

Think if it turns out cheaper to build all the cars in China and ship to Europe, then the UK plants will be closed.

Hope not.

[UncappedTag]

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

Edited by UncappedTag on Tuesday 1st June 13:07

[ewenm]

UncappedTag said:

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

Edited by UncappedTag on Tuesday 1st June 13:07

Land Rover own Range Rover and Tata own Land Rover.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Range Rover isnt a company as such, just a Land Rover brand

[Premlal]

UncappedTag said:

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

Edited by UncappedTag on Tuesday 1st June 13:07

Range Rover is just a model it wears the Land Rover badge. It's not a different brand as far as I'm aware.

Edited by Premlal on Tuesday 1st June 13:11

[GKP]

UncappedTag said:

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

At the moment Range Rover is made by Land Rover, in the same way Mondeo is made by Ford. So, the JLR brand (Jaguar Land Rover) is owned by Tata.

The marketing types want to branch out and have Range Rover become a stand alone brand in its own right, incorporating numerous separate models. I'm not convinced that this would be a prudent action as the RR 'image' is one of go anywhere luxury and has always sold well. Blinged up faux tat could well dilute the original concept and all we'll be left with is chrome wheels and plastic spoilers.

[notthehamster]

GKP said:

UncappedTag said:

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

all we'll be left with is chrome wheels and plastic spoilers.

So most of the current range then.

[cathalm]

wab172uk said:

The Chinese-built models aren't likely to be heading for the UK, however - their destination will be China and other south-east Asian economies.

I'm not likely to win the lottery. Doesn't mean I won't.

Think if it turns out cheaper to build all the cars in China and ship to Europe, then the UK plants will be closed.

Hope not.

Groan

[UncappedTag]

Were they not part of Rover/if they were how come BMW did not retain the name like they did with the Mini?

[HellDiver]

UncappedTag said:

Were they not part of Rover/if they were how come BMW did not retain the name like they did with the Mini?

BMW only kept the Mini name. They sold LR to Ford in 2000.

[stuckmojo]

That's all to plan for the mass-produced LRX, isn't it. Pretty obvious.

Soon you'll be able to buy a FWD Range Rover made in China, for all but 30.000£ . Isn't globalisation wonderful?

[308mate]

At least they'll get built properly now.

You tend to pay attention to your work when there are 3000 new people each week lining up to take your job.

[JohnnyQ]

Know the spokesperson mentioned "new production plans will not affect JLR's UK-based production facilities" but the fact that either Solihull or Castle Bromwich has been targeted for closure within the next 10 years must have something to do with this longer term strategy?

[Lotusespritturbo]

I'm sure it's not going to do much for the image of the brand.

[Lebigmac]

anyone knows where they are planing to build the LRX? this model will be probably around for quite a while...

[E30M3SE]

Just watch out for the counterfeits..................;)

[magic_marker]

notthehamster said:

GKP said:

UncappedTag said:

Stupid question who owns Range Rover? Is this part of the TATA arm too?

all we'll be left with is chrome wheels and plastic spoilers.

So most of the current range then.

Although there definitely is a 'bling' trend within LR which I despise (the whole point of a Range Rover is to look down on the miserable ladder-climbers who care about such things as the size of the wheels and the polish on their knobs ) the Range Rover still is a beast of enormous substance. Long may it continue.

[PaddyZulu]

Danny S said:

I hope they hold there word on the last 2 paragraphs !

Couple of months earlier then Mandelson could have given it his blessing too, and how reassuring that was to Vauxhall workers and their families