- All‑new Jaguar XFL is the first Jaguar to be built at Chery Jaguar Land Rover's Changshu plant
- Demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover's continued commitment to the delivery of lightweight vehicles globally
- Jaguar Land Rover is bringing its world‑leading aluminium technology to the joint venture, creating China's first purpose‑built aluminium body shop
Changshu, China ‑ Jaguar Land Rover today confirmed plans to introduce the first Jaguar vehicle to its joint venture plant in China. Developed exclusively for Chinese customers, the all‑new Jaguar XF Long wheelbase (XFL) is the third vehicle to be built by the company's joint venture, with Chery Automobile Company Ltd, in less than two years.
From the all‑aluminium Jaguar XJ, F‑TYPE, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport to the new aluminium intensive modular architecture that supports the Jaguar XE, XF and F‑PACE, advanced lightweight technology has been a crucial element of Jaguar Land Rover strategy's throughout its history. It continues to lead the industry in the development of advanced aluminium architectures today to reduce weight in order to improve fuel efficiency, emissions and handling of its vehicles.
Murray Dietsch, President of Chery Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Jaguar Land Rover is a world‑leader in the production of aluminium vehicles and is one of the largest producers of aluminium bodies globally."
"The arrival of the all‑new Jaguar XFL brings the best of this experience and technology to Changshu. It is an important milestone for the team at Chery Jaguar Land Rover."
The Jaguar XFL will be built in China's first purpose‑built aluminium body shop based at the state‑of‑the‑art Chery Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing facility in Changshu. The body shop is almost 50,000m² body shop and contains a fully flexible production line including more than 300 robots.
Inaugural sales of the China‑made Jaguar XFL will begin in the second half of the year and further details will be released at the Beijing Motor Show at the end of the month.
Jaguar Land Rover in China
Jaguar Land Rover first established a presence in China just over a decade ago and has a long‑term commitment to its Chinese customers.
The company has developed a compelling CSR programme in China creating the Jaguar Land Rover Children and Dream Fund, working with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Jaguar Land Rover China has committed to invest RMB 50 million over three years in an initiative that supports and develops underprivileged young people.
Jaguar Land Rover is committed to inspiring the future generation of Chinese automotive engineers. In the last five years, more than 500 apprentices have graduated from the apprentice training programme in China.
Building Jaguar Land Rover's global footprint
Jaguar Land Rover has made significant progress in building its international manufacturing presence over the last year. Since the beginning of 2015, it has confirmed plans for a new manufacturing facility in Slovakia, started production of the Range Rover Evoque & Land Rover Discovery in China; almost completed its plant in Brazil; agreed a new manufacturing partnership with Magna Steyr in Austria and introduced three new vehicles to its local assembly facility in India.
The creation of new international plants provides additional production capacity supplementing that of Jaguar Land Rover's three vehicle plants in the UK. It allows Jaguar Land Rover to offer its customers even more exciting new models, protect against currency fluctuations and create a globally competitive business.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- In China, Jaguar Land Rover established its national sales company July 2010 and has more than 500 employees.
- The joint venture with Chery Automobile Limited was created in 2012 and the Changshu plant was opened in 2014. It represents a joint investment of RMB10.9bn and now employs more than 4,500 people.
- Additional Jaguar Land Rover activities in China include:
- Six training academies: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu and Changsha
- More than 190 operational dealers
- Three Land Rover Experience Centres.
- Jaguar Land Rover is one of the UK's largest exporters and generates around 80% of its revenue from exports.
- Jaguar Land Rover has four manufacturing facilities in the UK:
- Castle Bromwich is home to the Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ and Jaguar F‑TYPE, employing 3,500 people.
- Halewood is home to the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Evoque Convertible and Land Rover Discovery Sport, employing 4,500 people.
- Solihull is home to the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Defender, the Jaguar XE and F‑PACE, employing 9,000 people.
- The Engine Manufacturing Centre is home to the 'Ingenium' engine family, starting with the 2.0 litre diesel in the Jaguar XE. It will employ 1,400 people.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Palmer, International Manufacturing Communications
Manager
M: +44 7557 540611
e: lpalmer1@jaguarlandrover.com
Stephanie Jones,
International Manufacturing Communications Officer
M: +44 7468
473546 e: sjones37@jaguarlandrover.com