Jaguar Land Rover is remaining tight-lipped as to specific model and potential factory capability in China as a top-level British political and business delegation visits the country.
The UK manufacturer says it is currently working on a long-term strategy for China with a view to investment and development, but was unable to shed light on reports any political talks would raise the issue of JLR.
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However, the automaker noted it was looking to manufacture in China and was in the early process of discussing the issue with the Chinese government.”
“Clearly China is a very important market for Jaguar Land Rover and we offer our Chinese customers our latest models globally,” a JLR spokesman told just-auto in an emailed statement.
“We are currently working on our long-term strategy for investment and development in China. This strategy is not yet completed and ready for implementation but our intention is that it will include manufacturing in China – we would like to build in China for Chinese customers.”
The British delegation is being led by Prime Minister David Cameron and includes the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable, who visited a Jaguar showroom in Beijing yesterday (7 November).
A spokeswoman was unable to confirm if Cable would specifically raise automotive issues during his visit, but noted the Business Secretary would attend the UK-China summit tomorrow (9 November) and meet his counterpart, Minister of Commerce, Chen Deming.
The UK-China summit will also see Cameron and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabo attend.
Reports have centred on several models from JLR being produced in China, notably the Freelander and Evoque brands, with possibly a Jaguar vehicle to follow, but the manufacturer declined to confirm the speculation.
“The [manufacture] process, which is in the early stages, will see us engaging with the Chinese government and potential partners as appropriate,” added JLR.
“This is the usual approach for companies wishing to manufacture in China.”
