International Falls, Minnesota: Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new winter test facility in International Falls, Minnesota. The new facility includes cold testing chambers, snow covered test surfaces, a frozen lake and a concrete test track.
The centre will allow Jaguar Land Rover engineers to analyse the performance of Jaguar and Land Rover products in one of the coldest locations in the Continental US, with temperatures reaching as low as ‑55 F (‑48 C).
Jaguar Land Rover now has five extreme weather test facilities around the world. The other four are based: Nurburgring, Germany; Arjeplog, Sweden; Phoenix, USA, and Dubai. Each of these facilities is designed to test Jaguar and Land Rover products in some of the world's most extreme climates.
Jaguar Land Rover Director of Engineering Technical Services Martyn Hollingsworth said:"Our focus on the quality and durability of our new models means testing vehicles in the harshest of environments is more important than ever.
The United States is also one of our largest global markets, so investing in a world class winter testing facility here is imperative to the future success of Jaguar Land Rover in North America."
The new facility has been developed in partnership/collaboration with the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.
Paul Nevanen, Director of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority stated: "The construction of this facility by Jaguar Land Rover represents a partnership with the community that will bring a significant economic impact to this area."
ends
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for sustainable growth and profitability.
- Jaguar Land Rover employs 25 000 people and sells vehicles in 170 countries around the world. (80% of our business is exported)
- Jaguar Land Rover is building a state of the art advanced engine facility at i54 South Staffordshire Business Park investing £355m and creating 750 new jobs. Construction commenced on 20th June 2012 and is ongoing.
- Jaguar Land Rover makes a significant contribution to the UK economy contributing £7bn GVA in the last financial year.
- One of the UK's largest exporters by value (£8.2bn in 2011) and generates in the region of 85% of its revenue from exports.
- 12 months to 31 March 2012, JLR generated PBT of £1.5bn with revenues of £13.5bn
- JLR is working on plans to extend its global production footprint, particularly in Brazil, India and China.
- Jaguar Land Rover is the only UK automotive company to be rated Platinum in the Business in the Community Corporate Social Responsibility Index 2012.
For further information please visit our media website (http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com) or contact:
Nick O'Donnell,
Global Corporate PR Manager,
Jaguar Land Rover Corporate Communications
T: +44 (0) 7825 115951
E: nodonne2@jaguarlandrover.com
Wayne York Kung,
Product Communications Manager,
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
T: 201.760.8591
E: wkung@jaguarlandrover.com
Leah Watkins‑Hall,
Corporate, Brand & Interactive Communications Manager
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
T: 201.760.8578
E: lwatki40@jaguarlandrover.com