Jaguar Land Rover has (finally) confirmed that the Range Rover Evoque would join the Land Rover Discovery Sport in assembly at its new factory in Itatiaia, Brazil – as first reported by just-auto last May. The first locally made Evoque – a model line that accounts for about 60% of JLR sales in Brazil – is expected off line early in 2016.
The new factory, which will see a total investment of BRL750m (GBP240m) by the end of 2020, will supplement UK production and have the capacity to assemble around 24,000 vehicles annually for Brazil. This will be Jaguar Land Rover’s first wholly-owned manufacturing plant outside the UK.
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The Evoque has been updated for the 2016 model year with new design features and technology.
Terry Hill, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Latin America, said: “Since its introduction, the Evoque has sold more than 20,000 vehicles in Brazil and we are delighted to confirm [it] will be built at our facility in Itatiaia.”
“Brazil and the surrounding regions are very important to Jaguar Land Rover. The introduction of the Evoque to our factory in Itatiaia highlights our long-term commitment to the Brazilian market.”
Jaguar Land Rover is the first British automotive company to invest in a factory in Brazil. In the programme’s first phase, the 60,000m² factory will employ 400 people. With construction of the plant nearing completion, the automaker is now installing the manufacturing equipment to support the start of production in early 2016.
It has just launched the second cohort of the ‘Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce’ training programme in Itatiaia. Of those who have successfully completed the first course, around 60% are now working for JLR there. In conjunction with the Brazilian training provider SENAI, the programme offers work experience, training and employability qualifications for unemployed 17 – 26 year olds to prepare them for employment in the automotive industry.
The automaker will source components from local suppliers, such as Benteler and IAC, as well as importing some parts from its global supply chain. It will aso help suppliers support increased local content levels in future.
JLR has operated in Brazil for 20 years and has 40 dealers there.
Earlier report: BRAZIL: JLR to start assembly with Evoque in second quarter 2016
JLR returning to global manufacturing?
