November 19, 2012: Jaguar Land Rover is planning for a bigger play in the China market. JLR and its Chinese partner Chery Automobile Company have laid the foundation stone for their new manufacturing facility which will come up in Changsu, Jiangsu province. After having received the Chinese government’s approval, both will build a plant in Changshu, near Shanghai, as part of a 10.9 billion RMB investment. The facility will include an R&D centre and engine production facility and will be completed in 2014.

In a joint statement, Dr Ralf Speth, JLR’s CEO and Yin Tongyao, chairman and CEO of Chery, said: "We are delighted to have reached this milestone. Together, we will now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies, to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers.”

The new JV will be called Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company Ltd. In addition to established vehicles, the JV will also produce models for a domestic brand tailored specifically to local customer demand. JLR’s sales rose 80 percent in the first 10 months to October 2012. In calendar year 2011, JLR saw sales increase more than 60 percent, driven mainly by the Jaguar XJ and XF and the Range Rover Evoque.

Photograph (above): Tata Motors’ chairman Ratan Tata and Chery Automobile officials lay cornerstone for new JLR and JV manufacturing plant and partnership.

Photograph (below) JLR’s CEO Dr Ralf Speth and Yin Tongyao, chairman and CEO of Chery.