Land Rover refocuses on China

By Park Sae-jin Posted : November 19, 2012, 17:39 Updated : January 1, 1970, 09:00
Jaguar Land Rover is to make vehicles in China for the first time after Beijing approved a nearly $2 billion joint venture. The luxury carmaker agreed a “milestone” deal with Chery Automobile and will build a plant near Shanghai, which is due to open in 2015.

Land Rover said any cars produced would be in addition to its existing output, and it had no intention of moving its manufacturing base out of Britain. Sales of models in China have risen by 80% so far this year. The company, owned by India‘s Tata Motors, began talks with Chery months ago, but has been awaiting approval.

A joint statement released by the Chinese and British companies said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone, achieved thanks to the understanding and foresight of the Chinese authorities and we want to thank them for recognizing the potential of our joint venture in the fast-growing Chinese market.

"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 company has not said officially, which model would be built at the factory, although the company has said in the past that is likely to be either the Land Rover Freelander or Evoque.

With China now, a crucial market for building vehicles in the country means it can avoid import duties. However, Land Rover says that being in China will enable it to build vehicles designed specifically for the Chinese market.

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