Jaguar Land Rover’s China deal goes ahead

Jaguar Land Rover’s Joint Venture with Chery Automobile has been ratified by the National Development and Reform Commission in China. This means that the British company will be building cars with the Chinese manufacturer in a £1.1bn deal that should see car production begin at a new manufacturing plant in Changshu, near Shanghai.

The joint venture will go beyond manufacturing alone, with a new research and development and engine production facility also being inaugurated. The cars produced in the joint venture will be new China-specific models under a new marque name. A spokesperson for JLR said: ‘The joint venture will blend together the heritage and experience of luxury premium vehicle manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover with the intricate knowledge and understanding of Chinese customers evident at Chery.’

The new partnership will be called Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company and will help the company grow significantly in the Chinese market.

AROnlineinterviewed Jaguar Land Rover’s Andy Griffiths, who has responsiblilty for Operations and Business Development, China and Asia Pacific at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year and he was delighted with the company’s growth, but wanted to make this its largest market, ahead of the US and UK.

The massive growth of Land Rover in this region has certainly increased confidence. Beijing’s newest Jaguar Land Rover dealer will sell more cars in one year than the number sold in some European countries…

Commenting on the partnership in a joint statement, JLR’s Chief Executive Ralf Speth and Yin Tongyao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chery, said: ‘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.’