Jaguar Land Rover opens new Slovakian plant

Jaguar Land Rover has opened its new £1billion (Rs 9,433 crore) manufacturing plant in Nitra, Slovakia, where the new Land Rover Discovery will be produced.

The 300,000 square-metre factory currently employs 1500 people, with the first phase capable of making 150,000 cars a year. The Discovery is the only model yet confirmed to be built at the plane, but it is likely other SUVs will be made there in future. JLR is currently recruiting another 850 people to work at the side.

Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth said the plant was the latest part of the British firm’s global expansion plan. Jaguar Land Rover models are already produced through joint ventures in China and Brazil, and under contract by companies in India and Austria.

“Global businesses require global operational footprints,” said Speth. “While Jaguar Land Rover’s heart and sould remain firmly anchored in the UK, expanding internationally only enriches and strengthens our UK business.”

The Nitra plant, which received financial investment from the Slovakian government, has been under construction since 2016.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull factory has recently begun a planned two-week shutdown following a decline in global sales. It is also operating a three-day week at its Castle Bromwich factory, where the Jaguar XE, XF and XJ saloons are made, until after the Christmas period.

Also read: JLR to shut Solihull plant for two weeks as sales slide

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