Jaguar Land Rover will launch three electric Range Rover models early next year, and bring back Jaguar to the Indian market in the second half, Managing Director Rajan Amba said on Monday.
JLR’s launch strategy addresses a potential electrification gap in the Indian luxury market, where buyers are unwilling to sacrifice brand identity when switching to EVs. The Range Rover Electric, the Range Rover Sport Electric, and Jaguar, now an exclusively electric brand, are JLR's attempt to take its most profitable franchises electric without compromising what made them successful.
Today, JLR is selling fewer entry-level products and more high-margin flagship vehicles averaging a transaction price of roughly Rs 1.4 crore, and Defender, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport accounted for more than 80 percent; significantly higher than most premium competitors. As a result, despite the brand's retail sales falling by 2 percent in FY26, its revenue grew about 14 percent.
Amba sees no obstacle to the electric rollout. "I don't think that there are any roadblocks as such," he said, though pricing will not get quick relief. The India-UK trade agreement, in force since July 15, cuts import duties on eligible British-built petrol and diesel cars from as high as 110 percent, yet gives electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles no concession for the first five years. "From a pricing perspective, we don't expect the benefit to flow for another 5 years," he added.
Dynamics of the Indian Luxury Market
Amba addressed India’s unique and highly aspirational market at a new retail outlet launch event in Mumbai on Monday. Buyers' spending habits have shifted, the executive said. "People are wanting to fulfil their aspirations more and more as opposed to keeping money in the bank. The time frames are getting shorter and shorter between dreaming and planning to actually going out and just get it."
He recalled a Maharashtrian customer who earned Rs 50,000 a month in customs clearing or trading before Covid, built a trading business afterwards and has bought a premium or luxury car every year for seven years, with his son choosing each one. "India is full of customers who will just surprise you," he remarked. Another buyer arrived wanting a Range Rover Sport and took delivery of a Range Rover after dealership staff persuaded him.
JLR plans to offer mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric versions across future Range Rover, Defender and Discovery models, and to spend £18 billion globally through FY29 on technologies, platforms and business transformation.