UK based luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has invested GBP370m to upgrade its vehicle manufacturing plants in the UK to support the launch of its fourth-generation Range Rover sports utility vehicle (SUV).
As part of the investment, the company has added a new aluminium body shop for the new SUV at its Solihull plant, near Birmingham, UK as well as upgraded its paint-applications technologies, trim assembly, warehousing and first customer handover centre.
Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer Dr Ralf Speth said: "Through a £370m investment in our manufacturing facilities we have been able to build the world's first SUV with lightweight all-aluminium construction, a car that is 20% lighter, with fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 22%."
Overall, JLR is investing about £1.3bn with suppliers globally, along with £800m of that solely in the UK.
The recent expansion also includes opening of a new manufacturing facility at Solihull, commencement of work on a £355m engine plant near Wolverhampton, started 24-hour production at Halewood plant, launched Land Rover assembly in India and entered a joint venture to launch production in China.
The carmaker has also unveiled its new Range Rover at an event in Richmond Park, London, ahead of its debut at the upcoming Paris international motor show to be held in France.
According to the carmaker, the deliveries of the new SUV are expected to start in early 2013.
JLR is also planning to launch its XF Sportbrake and the new F-Type sports car.
