Range Rover Evoque about to go in to production in China – and maybe the new Land Rover Discovery Sport too

Range Rover Evoque about to go in to production in China

It’s been clear Jaguar Land Rover intend to build cars in China – a huge market for Jaguar Land Rover – for some time, but now, with a new factory about to open near Shanghai, that’s about to become a reality. JLR’s new plant in China is in Changhsu and is a joint venture with JLR’s China partner – Chery Automobile – where Chery will be producing JLR cars with a Chery badge on the bonnet.

The new plant is due to open in October – with production starting soon after – and as well as producing Chery cars for China JLR will also be building the Range Rover Evoque – JLR’s biggest seller in China – for the local market. That’s full-scale production, not the assembly of CKD packages shipped out from the UK.

It’s JLR’s first full-scale production facility outside the UK – although it certainly won’t be the only one going forward – and as well as producing the Evoque, it looks like JLR are planning to build the new Land Rover Discovery Sport there too as it comes on stream.

It’s a pragmatic and financially sensible move for JLR to produce its cars in a market that should be worth 150,000 units in the next year, and is probably responsible for up to half of JLR’s profits.

But, certainly for now at least, JLR will continue to make its cars in the UK for the rest of the world.

By Cars UK