5,800 vehicles may have been damaged in China explosions: JLR

At the time of the explosion, about 5,800 vehicles were stored at various locations in Tianjin

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today said around 5,800 vehicles may have been damaged in the recent explosions at China's Tianjin port, which is one of the three major ports through which it imports vehicles into the country.

At the time of the explosion, around 5,800 vehicles that had recently been shipped to China were stored at various locations in Tianjin, the company said in a statement.

"However, access to facilities near the site of the explosion remains restricted and so whilst we believe many of these vehicles may have been damaged, we are presently unable to quantify the numbers of units affected," it added

Tianjin Port is one of three major locations in China through which JLR imports vehicles.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and work to minimise the impact on our customers and the business," the company said, while expressing "condolences to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in the explosions in Tianjin".

At least 114 people were killed in powerful explosions that tore through a warehouse storing hazardous chemicals in north China's major port city on August 12.

China is JLR's biggest market. Chery Jaguar Land Rover, its joint venture in China, produces the Range Rover Evoque and the Discovery Sport. It employs more than 2,500 people.